i've read the thermal paste installation instructions on the AS3 web site.
the thermal paste installation is quite detailed and helpful, but i'm quite
confused about the cleaning of the cpu core/ceramic bit (cleaning the old
heatsink doesnt apply to me, as i'm replacing my stock HSF with the
thermalright 700)

how do i safely and properly clean the thermal pad residue from the cpu
core/ceramic? i checked with my local chemist, but he doesnt have any
isopropyl alcohol with him. also it's mentioned that if i use any other
cleaning agent, i'd still need to do a final cleaning with isopropyl
alcohol -- are there any other commonly available cleaning agents that i can
use?

another thing, do you directly dab a tissue paper with a cleaning agent and
then rub away the residue from the core/ceramic of the cpu? or would a
cotton bud be preferable?

thanks,
vin


"Alan" wrote in message
able.rogers.com...
I agree with Rick, and I only use thermal grease. It lowers the temps
substantially.
A couple of weeks ago, I had to have a CPU replaced by AMD, they did so
without any problems. AMD is an excellent company to deal with.

Artic Silver has instructions on their site as to proper installation of
thermal grease. Minimal amount spread to the thinnest film is the secret
to
best temps. I don't use Artic Silver though, rather I use some that came
with a Dr. Thermal heatsink.

Having said that, your CPU should not have risen more above the ambient
temp
of the case. Did you remove the Themal material, clean the residue with
isopropol alcohol and replace it with a fresh one? I would also check
your
mounting of the heatsink and the clip tension.

A rule of thumb is that with the heatsink rests at a similar temp above
the
case, and 24C is too high. Look for 10C when idle and 15C under 100% use,
this will depend upon the effectiveness of your heatsink, and mounting.


Alan

"Rick" wrote in message
...
"Vin" wrote in message
...
hey there,

after some excessive amount of case modding to fit 4 additional
suckholes/blowholes (3 in the side case blowing IN and 1 on top of
case
blowing OUT), i've finally managed to bring my case temperatures under
control -- about 6C above the room ambient (ambient is 28C, case is
34C).
But my case to cpu temperature delta has gone out of whack! previously
with
my case open and a floor fan blowing into the case, the cpu
temperatures
hovered about 18C above the case/system (when idle), but now it's a
shocking
24-25C above the case temperature (currently 58-59C when idle). Thus
I've
decided to chuck the retail AMD HSF and get myself a Thermalright
SLK700
cooler.

Now that the backgrounder is done with, my actual question: should i
use
thermal paste instead of a thermal pad with my new cooler? I've read
that
AMD will void your CPU warranty if you use thermal paste/grease. Also
would
thermal paste require any maintenance, like removing, cleaning and
reseating
the cooler every few weeks?

thanks,
vin

IME the chances of actually using a cpu warranty are next to nil, so I
wouldn't let that stop me from using thermal grease. You'll almost
certainly get better cooling than with a pad.

Most thermal greases don't require maintenance unless you dismount
and remount the cpu (obviously).

My $.02

Rick