Arctic Colling Freezer 4 performing sub-par

[thereistruth]

I got an AC Freezer 4 to replace my cheap heatsink, but so far it isn't doing such a great job. My old one ran at about 95-100 degrees idle, and this one runs at about 110-120 degrees idle. I installed a 120mm fan at the back of my case, which seems to help, but I am still very disappointed. I re-applied some thermal compound, but it didn't help at all. Has anybody ever had this problem or have any ideas?

[_Korruption_]

I'm guessing the installation is incorrect. How did you apply the thermal compound, and is the heatsink sitting tight against the CPU?

[thereistruth]

I put the silicone compound on both the cpu and the contact and evenly spread it with my finger. I am pretty sure that there is very good contact because when I installed the heatsink, I had to press down extremely hard to get the clips to snap on.

[_Korruption_]

You put thermal compound on the CPU and on the heatsink base? That's way too much. Mistake number two was using your finger to spread the thermal compound. Try following these (http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm) instructions.

[thereistruth]

That sounds good, but I don't think something like that will make that much of a difference. I did the same thing with the silicone compound on the other heatsink, so I don't think this is the main thing that is wrong.

[Izzeren]

Actually Koruption has a very good point. It sounds to me like oyu put way to much on and you are having heating problems from it. I know I did that once and it caused all kinds of problems for me. I took the heatsink back off and cleaned everything real good and reapplied the compound and all was great. Might give it a shot first and if that does not work then come back to us.

[rtierney]

only put a very small amount (half a grain of rice) on the processor itself and spread it with the clean edge of a credit card or other small, hard, and smooth object. don't use your fingers because they contain dirt and oils that can only hurt performance.

dont try to spread it perfectly...just make sure it's pretty flat and even. no need to get anal about it. the force of the heatsink being clamped to the processor will even it out completely and fill in all the little micro-valleys on the heatsink.


what thermal compound are you using? i highly reccomend you get some artic silver if you aren't already using some.

[AznAnarchy99]

That sounds good, but I don't think something like that will make that much of a difference. I did the same thing with the silicone compound on the other heatsink, so I don't think this is the main thing that is wrong.

it does make a big difference

[kumquat]

That sounds good, but I don't think something like that will make that much of a difference. I did the same thing with the silicone compound on the other heatsink, so I don't think this is the main thing that is wrong.
Believe me, it does.

Carefully clean the HS and CPU, then put the stuff on properly.

[thereistruth]

That helped a little bit, but I am still kind of disappointed, considering how much I spent on it.

[thereistruth]

I think the problem is with the fan. I put another fan next to the heatsink and it performed phenomenally. Has anybody ever had this problem?