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CPU shims...what do they really do? (link/pics)

D

DraGun

Gawd
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
602
whats the benefit of using a cpu shim?
i found a thermaltake cpu shim laying around...

should i use it with the XP 2400+? will it fit?

i know they can be used so you dont crush the cpu...

im installing a 2400+ on a new setup, and im wonder if i should use it or not...what are the pros/cons of using it??

btw, it looks like this

www.tweaknews.net/reviews/tsr/
 
plus: protects cpu from damage

cons: may not alllow for optimal contact btw cpu and heatsink and it is conductive, so if you do something stupid you could destroy the cpu.
 
I've noticed a lot of the P4 motherboards seem to have one also. Hopefully, this is a safety feature that doesn't get in the way. I haven't heard anything bad about them or anything at all for that matter.
 
The only befit is for people who swap heatsinks or reapply thermal paste often. It's to help prevent damaging the core while installing one and if your carefull you don't need one. If you did use one make sure its plastic and not copper so it'll be non-conductive.
 
they protect the athlon cores from damage while installing a heatsink.

Given the price of them they should be free with all retail procs, oh well.

P4's as far as i know dont really need one since the core is adequetely protected.
 
If you have the exact same one as pictured in your link then you cant use it with the XP CPUs. there is a newer one for XPs that wont come into contact with any of the resistors or bridges.

I burnt up a CPU once useing one, the shim slipped out of place and got between the pads and the heatsink which prevented contoct between the core and the heatsink. Even with a shim it is still possible to chip the core. If your heatsink is already off then I would say use it but be very careful, however don pull the heatsink to add it.
 
I hate heatsync's... a lot of them have shitty clip designs... blah... killed like 3 processors with crappy designed watercooling hold downs and hsf clip's...
 
If you are new to heatsink replacement or you know that a certain heatsink is particuliarly hard to install and has a tendency to crack cores, that would be the perfect application for a shim. Most of the new generation heatsinks are designed to be easier to install making a shim unnecessary. There is also the danger of shorting out the traces if you use a copper shim if placed incorrectly or using the wrong shim. The best answer is if you don't really need if, don't use one.

Originally posted by eleven12
if you're careful it doesnt matter one way or another
Click to expand...
 
The easiest xp heatsink i know of to install was from dr thermal i think. You set it down, attach the clips, then crank it until it gets tension. No screw driver/pushing/swearing involved.
 
shims are a by product of old thermaltake heatsinks which didnt touch the pads of your proc and have crushed many a countless core with even the most careful mounting. in modern days, with huge heatsinks that touch all 4 pads for stability, you dont need a shim at all.
 
OK, I won't use them then. I already have the Thermalright SLK-947U heatsink, so I'm sure it's one of those that is CPU-friendly. I'll be ordering the rest of the part this week.
 
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