installing a CPU

[Nazgul]

I have never installed a CPU before and was wondering do I need to apply thermal paste/ thermal tape between the processer and heat sink or is this just useful for overclocking purposes (I do not want to overclock). I know that in the standard Intel processor packages that they just contain a CPU and heatsink/fan so can it work fine without the paste?

 

[throdgrain]

As far as Im aware all cpu fans come with paste. Im pretty sure you should always apply paste before fitting, or the cpu will overheat.

/wow 2 questions in one day I could help with

 

[Jonty]

Hi Nazgul

Installing AMD CPUs is usually a nice easy task. AMD motherboards use a zero insertion force (ZIF) socket, which means you simply pull up a lever next to the socket, align the CPU, drop it in place, close the lever and you're done (at least in my experience).

From the systems I've built (which are admittedly very few) I've always had to use thermal paste, which helps regulate and stabilise the CPU temperature (Athlons can run quite hot, all things considered). Personally I hate the stuff, since it always seems to go everywhere!, although if you're careful, it shouldn't be too big a task. You basically just need to cover the CPU die (the block in the middle of the CPU) with a thin layer of paste. Specialist solutions come with syringe-like applicators to make the whole process very easy, but I believe most bundled paste just comes in a little sachet.

My advice is simply take your time, make sure you have plenty of room to work, make sure you can see exactly what you're doing, and just be careful It doesn't have to be incredibly precise, just so long as the die gets covered (at least that's what I've always been instructed to do).

Kind Regards

Jonty

P.S. The irony of this is, reading the small print, using any kind of thermal paste technically voids the warranty on the CPU, apart from one AMD approved brand which is nigh on impossible to get hold of. That said, you do need to apply it (so I'm told), and I've never actually heard of AMD relying on this clause, so I wouldn't worry too much about this

 

[Clowneh!]

installing the cpu is the easy part... fitting the heatsink and fan scared the hell outta me

 

[Embattle]

All the people above are wrong, use a hammer and give it a good few whacks

 

[adams901]

yeah and dont forget to superglue the heatsink on, we all know that thermal paste isnt very sticky.

 

[kameleon]

The technical answer is this:

The CPU DIE ie the metal bit on the top of the chip and indeed the heatsink, have imperfections in the metal, bit ironic really considering the tolerances the rest of the processor is designed to. These imperfections can cause tiny pockets of air to form between the processor die and the heatsink. Air is not a good conductor of heat, so thermal paste was invented. Thermal paste is a solution of a very good conductor, that can disspipate the heat produced by you CPU to the heatsink quite efficiently. Unfortunately, if you put too much on this can have the opposite effect.

Most heatsinks come with thermal tape, which is stuck onto the heatsink and is covered by a thin layer of removable tape. For most purposes, this is sufficient for most purposes and should suit you.

 

[Jonty]

Thanks Kameleon, you learn something new every day!

Kind Regards

 

[Nazgul]

thnx m8s

 

[Sawtooth]

Don't forget to lap the heatsink until you get a mirror shine before adding the paste. Can make a great deal of difference to the temp you meassure. I found that our local pc world actually supplies Artic Silver paste that comes with a template for applying just the right amount of paste.