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Thread ID: 51416 2004-11-20 05:03:00 Installing new HSF somebody (208) Press F1
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294214 2004-11-20 05:03:00 Hi everyone,

Just before I embark on replacing the dodgy HSF unit on my oldish Athlon Thunderbird 1.4ghz CPU, does anyone have any strong suggestions on what I should or shouldn't do?

The new HSF includes a tube of silver thermal grease.

The old CPU/HSF I assume has been connected using the stock thermal tape, which I will need to carefully scrape and clean off.
somebody (208)
294215 2004-11-20 07:54:00 The thermal pad material will have extruded out all around the core and can be carefully prised away with a suitable small tool like a watchmakers screw driver.
The coating on the core will be very thin, and I've removed this using fingernail and meths and a tissue, finishing off with iso propyl alcohol.l
Terry Porritt (14)
294216 2004-11-20 08:04:00 another tinhg to remember is to not use too much thermal grease.

you only need a very thin layer on the chip and a very thin layer on the HSF.

a very small dob on each that you then smear out with a finger is what i use.
robsonde (120)
294217 2004-11-20 08:47:00 I've used a stiff plastic scrapper with success. An old credit card or similar, trimmed for the job is perfect, then as TP says, a good clean, non-oily, solvent to get the rest.

Murray P
Murray P (44)
294218 2004-11-20 09:14:00 Thanks guys,

After reading your posts (after I actually fitted the HSF) I have some problems.

A) Although I probably used too much thermal grease (slightly less than 1mm thick on the die itself, and a very very thin layer on the heatsink applied using a finger in a plastic bag), the CPU itself is being kept quite cool.

B) The fan is noiser than the one I originally had (this was brand new, just bought today) - this one sounds like a slightly toned down vacuum cleaner - the $16 Socket A Cooler from DSE.

c) The CPU appears to be overheating when I fit the PSU back into the case. It seems that it is blocking airflow, causing a pocket of very warm air to be recirculated again and again. I could only just touch the Heatsink after I turned off the computer. At the moment I have pulled out the PSU and the CPU is being kept at a cool 42degrees, however this will not be a good long term solution.

My case is the type where the PSU sits vertically over the top of the CPU - in a mid-tower case.

Help please....
somebody (208)
294219 2004-11-20 09:15:00 sorry... part A probably isn't actually a problem. somebody (208)
294220 2004-11-20 09:27:00 Buy a new case.

And a good quality fan.

Don't source either from Dick Smith.
metla (154)
294221 2004-11-20 09:41:00 you get what you pay for....

I would never buy anything for DSE unless i dident care about the quallity of it.

I would never buy computer parts from DSE if I had other places.

a new case will be a good fix, extra case fan might help.
robsonde (120)
294222 2004-11-20 09:46:00 1.0mm of thermal compound, at most all up.

Is the HSF or more specifically the fan rated for a Thunderbird? Buying a cheap and nasty is dicing with you components. You could try a better fan on it, what size is the existing one? if it's a 60mm, it's bound to be noisier than an 80 or 90mm fan. NMB, Panalo, Zalman (rebadged I think), do some nice efficient quiet fans even a good old Sunon turboprop screamer volt modded would do the job.

Or if you don't like pussy footing around, buy a nice roomy case (with a good PSU) as Metla suggests ;)

Murray P
Murray P (44)
294223 2004-11-20 10:36:00 You think Socket A HSF installations are difficult... wait till you get a Pentirum LGA775 and aftermarket cooler for it. Took me many hours to get it sitting correctly. :O Socket A, very easy 5min job. alphazulusixeightniner (185)
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