I was trying to install a the new zalman 9500 AM2 on my amd opteron 165 soc 939 dual core. I was reading the articles and stuff about the hs and applying the termal compound. The temps on the heatsink with low speed fan seems to be around 47-49C on load. I was wondering if i am applying the temal compound correctly. I put about i say less than 2 gains of rice prob 1 and a half. I then try to spread it evenly all over the top of the core using a flash card. I seen in one picture where i person only applied it to the middle of the core area and not the whole core area. I was wondering if i am suppose to do it or what am i doing worng or am i doing everything correctly. I cleaned the stuff properly just not that sure about applying the compund correctly.
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Am i applying the thermal compound correctly?
- Thread starter jeff1941
- Start date
first off, your temps aren't that bad.
(don't forget to give your thermal compound time to settle in as well).
having said that -
the bottom line is that the thermal compound is there to help provide the most solid contact point possible btwn the hs and the heat generating chip. too little TC, and imperfections in the heatsink or IHS can make for bad heat transfer. too much TC and the heat also can be inhibited from effectively going to your heatsink.
a perfectly lapped heatsink (mirror shine) matched w/ a lapped IHS theoretically doesn't need any thermal compound since it's perfect flat -connected to- perfect flat.
i've tried every method of applying thermal compound and each is effective but my favorite in order is:
- smear around with finger (arguably, your finger oils can interfere)
- smear around w/ plastic wrap / baggie around your finger
- smear w/ plastic card
- 'grain-of-rice' in the middle and let the hsf squish the thermal compound.
the reason i like using my finger is i can tell if i'm putting too much on and can make passes with my finger to thin it down. Now some would say that 'finger oils' can interfere but if you start with your finger kinda caked w/ compound, i would believe that the adverse affects would be minimal if not non-existent.
to date, my best temps have been achieved by using the smear-with-your-finger technique but others may get different results using different techniques.
[/2:30am $0.02]
(don't forget to give your thermal compound time to settle in as well).
having said that -
the bottom line is that the thermal compound is there to help provide the most solid contact point possible btwn the hs and the heat generating chip. too little TC, and imperfections in the heatsink or IHS can make for bad heat transfer. too much TC and the heat also can be inhibited from effectively going to your heatsink.
a perfectly lapped heatsink (mirror shine) matched w/ a lapped IHS theoretically doesn't need any thermal compound since it's perfect flat -connected to- perfect flat.
i've tried every method of applying thermal compound and each is effective but my favorite in order is:
- smear around with finger (arguably, your finger oils can interfere)
- smear around w/ plastic wrap / baggie around your finger
- smear w/ plastic card
- 'grain-of-rice' in the middle and let the hsf squish the thermal compound.
the reason i like using my finger is i can tell if i'm putting too much on and can make passes with my finger to thin it down. Now some would say that 'finger oils' can interfere but if you start with your finger kinda caked w/ compound, i would believe that the adverse affects would be minimal if not non-existent.
to date, my best temps have been achieved by using the smear-with-your-finger technique but others may get different results using different techniques.
[/2:30am $0.02]
People actually touch there processors, for my first build i went to my local Frys purchased linen gloves along with an anti-static strap. The gloves have a smooth side so i use that side to applicate the compound, havent had any thermal issues (even though i have a fan controller and i keep everything slow as possible). I myself, since the processor has its own IHS just smear around the thermal stuff and wipe the edge of the processor for any residue.
there are two common ways to apply as5:
1- ur way,
2- putting a grain in the middle and smashed it w/ the hsf.
either it way, the difference is negligible.ur temp seems to be a bit high for the same rig as mine.
opty 165@2.5, 1.392v
zalman 9500(before)
loads at 40C
1- ur way,
2- putting a grain in the middle and smashed it w/ the hsf.
either it way, the difference is negligible.ur temp seems to be a bit high for the same rig as mine.
opty 165@2.5, 1.392v
zalman 9500(before)
loads at 40C
The 9500 AM2 ver vs the older 9500 was exact same price of 59.99 at frys electronics. Might as well get the newer one. I tried doing it the other method of just putting it in the middle and crushing it with the hs. Pretty much same temps, does it matter a lot if i move the heatsink a bit while installing?
markintosh13
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2006
- Messages
- 1,092
I just put a 9500LED on my 3700+ yesterday.
Finger + baggie.
Put a little on the copper base of the 9500 - a very little - and gave it a good smearing. The end result was just a white haze over the copper, very very see-through.
Put a little on the cpu heatspreader, smeared it around - slightly less see-through but hardly opaque.
Put 9500 onto cpu, rotated it back and forth a couple of times - kinda grinding it in - the bolted it down.
Stock AMD HSF used to give me an idle temp of 32C and a full max all night Priming load temp of 42C.
9500 gives me an idle temp of 29C and a full load temp of 39C. And it looks more bling.
It's really mostly about the bling.
Finger + baggie.
Put a little on the copper base of the 9500 - a very little - and gave it a good smearing. The end result was just a white haze over the copper, very very see-through.
Put a little on the cpu heatspreader, smeared it around - slightly less see-through but hardly opaque.
Put 9500 onto cpu, rotated it back and forth a couple of times - kinda grinding it in - the bolted it down.
Stock AMD HSF used to give me an idle temp of 32C and a full max all night Priming load temp of 42C.
9500 gives me an idle temp of 29C and a full load temp of 39C. And it looks more bling.
It's really mostly about the bling.