Heatsink set, but off a few mm. OK?

[JacksonVFR]

Hey guys. I just got my AMD Athlon XP 2800+ retail processor in the mail today from Newegg. It was my first time seating the heatsink and I double, triple, quadruple checked to make sure the heatsink was clipped on every latch, bottom and top.

My concern now is that it is a few millimeters slanted to the left. I was curious if you guys thought I should reset it or is it a concern?

The heatsink fan has a round copper part that seats on the processor and the thermal tape was plentiful. Should I be worried about this? Thanks.

 

[rvnguy]

JacksonVFR,

Yes,, you should be concerned about this. NOTE: If you have powered it up at all the tape is heat activated and is only good for one use and if the HS is removed this interface MUST be replaced.

Without actually being able to see this, the HS should sit squarely on the processor. This should be level and not slanted in any manner.

If you have not applied power to this yet, try to rotate the HS 180 degrees to see if it will seat correctly. You did not specify the HS type and this may not be possible, but try all orientiations to try to find one that allows the HS to sit in full contact with the processor.

If you have applied power, you will need to either get a new tape interface or obtain a "thermal grease" replacement. In both cases the original tape must be cleaned off completely.

Please post back with your progress


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[JacksonVFR]

Hey rvnguy,

Yes, I understand that any thermal material is only good for one "seating" of the processor. I have already ran this for about an hour now, breaking it in, the slanted heatsink is in this computer.

The original tape was already attached to the heatsink, supplied in the retail box which included the processor, fan and heatsink.

The top area of the Socket A has two small sqaure box designs cut into the plastic. That's how I can tell it's off by measuring it up parallel to them. By guessing, it's about two millimeters lower on the left side. I was really cautious putting it on, but it happened. So, this is a big deal?

Also, if anybody can recommend a material to reapply and how to remove my old material. Thanks guys.

 

[franklin97355]

Arctic silve is good stuff and their site has complete instructions. rvnguy is correct in stating the HS should NOT be slanted. When you take it off there should be a cutout on the bottom of the HS that goes over the hump on the socket. Look close.

 

[rvnguy]

JacksonVFR,

Ditto on franklin97355's recommendation for "Artic Silver".

I am surprised that it has been running for that period of time. Can you reboot into BIOS and check the CPU temp?
It should be in the range (if at idle) of approx 30-60 degrees C. Lower is preferable, any higher and I would be cautious and re-check the HS seating.

It may be that the HS is bi-metallic (as you stated there was a round copper part) and has a copper core with another metal as the radiating surface (aluminum) and that this has been applied off level.

Bottomline the contact (copper in this case) must be in "full" contact with the CPU with an even application of interface material(not excessive).

If you adhere to this and your temps are inline, there should be no thermal problems.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[JacksonVFR]

Arctic silver I've heard of. Does it come in thermal tape? AMD's processor installation videos recommended a tape.

rvnguy, I rebooted (after running the PC for about two hours now). The temperature of the CPU in the BIOS screen was 37-39 degrees celsius. While it's probably not very smart to be on this computer, I'll try to use it as little as I need until I get myself some new thermal material. You guys think AMD will send me some material free?

Thanks for the help.

 

[rvnguy]

JacksonVFR,

It appears that you are in good contact as your temps are quite inline. The contact looks as though it is correct based upon the temperatures. I would not do anything else at this time. Just monitor this over time.

Check your BIOS for thermal management features and if available set for a lower temp i.e. 50-55 C. Install your OS and use it.

For the future, Artic Silver is a paste type of interface and not available as a tape.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[JacksonVFR]

So, things look good if I want to use it just as it is? Or do you recommend I make using it this way temporary?

Is Arctic Silver ok for AMD processors or using thermal paste for that matter? I saw that paste is supposed to be used as a temporary thermal material. This processor will be in here until it dies.

 

[garebo]

Any thermal paste is acceptable. Arctic silver happens to be a good one that is in common use, thats all. It is a good one but any thermal paste will do. Its more important for the hs\fan to be on correct. I even wonder if maybe it is actually on correct. If you put a tiny level on the top on the fan, would it be close to level?
On this amd socket type the heatsink is beleved. The part that sticks out goes over the part of the cpu socket and ends up making the whole setup level on top where the fan is. So maybe you do have it set up right?
If you have it backward there should be a big gap on one side. Is there?


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

I spelled bevelled wrong, wish there were a way to fix it.
Anyway, another way of looking at this is kind of thinking of 2 l-shaped items where you invert one so that they fit together and make a square. So if you have the heatsink on right then where the cpu socket is higher it is connected to the lower part of the heatsink and vice versa.

No matter how i end up saying this, in the end your fan should be level. If it is level then you likely have it on right.

Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[paparazi]

Your CPU temperatures indicate CORRECT heatsink/fan fitment but to clarify.

When looking at the underneath of a socket "A" cooler there is a machined cutout or area to one side that is lower.
This recessed area should be positioned so that when the heatsink is placed over the CPU, this cut out is positioned so it is located over the "RAISED" cam box of the socket (the bit that says socket 462 or socket A) otherwise the heatsink will not sit squarely on the core and proper heat transfer from the core to the heatsink base will not take place.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[garebo]

Thats, of course, what i am trying to say, lol.
In a way, its like two L's fitting together so you end up with a square.
But you said it better.
And yes, if the temps are that low it seems its on correct.
Again, though, in the end it should mean that the fan on top is level, not at all on an angle.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[JacksonVFR]

Ok, I called the AMD tech line and was told that the 2800+ processors come with a thermal pad. I really did not know what was on it, but it was perfectly rectangular, came on the heatsink, and was covered by a plastic container (NOT plastic film) but other than that bare. The heatsink has a copper side which is round.

Anyhow, he said I could either: 1) Move the heatsink a few mm without taking it off (which I did, he said it's ok on a thermal pad - if that's what I have) or 2) Remove it and reposition it without reapplying anything. Hmm.

I moved the heatsink, but I'm skeptical about it. Here's a crappy picture with some MS paint of what my problem was like. The part you clamp it on with a screwdriver is positioned up top. Those two rectagles at the top edges are how I realized it was off center. My motherboard is an Asus A7N8X-X.

http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asusa7n8xboard7bk.jpg

 

[paparazi]

JacksonVFR
The CPU is square 50 X 50mm but the actual Zif socket is around 65 X 50 because of the "cam box" the raised bit with the writing.

What this means for heatsink/fan manufactures is that ALL socket "A" 462pin (Athlon/Duron/Sempron) coolers that over hang the cam box actually sit "offset" on the CPU and NOT central.

If you look close at the retaining clip you will see that the pivet or pressure point is offset to end up exactly over the CPU core once fitted, so although not central the heatsink will remain square on the core.

This is also aided by the four soft stabilizing pads on the CPU.

So, to repeat, the contact point (CPU core to heatsink base) on the underside of the heatsink is NOT central but offset one way.

Martin




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Participate and help others.