old cpu and heatsink

[modena]

I removed my old amd cpu and heatsink. Between them was a square of some thermal stuff that was attached to the heatsink originally. I want to install this into another computer, do I need new thermal stuff in between them?

[Nija]

yes

[modena]

do i need new thermal stuff in between them even though both the cpu and heatsink still have some thermal stuff on them? If I do need new stuff, should I remove them old thermal stuff? And what should I buy to replace the thermal stuff if needed?

[Cantacuzene]

You have to remove the old thermal compound completely, then add new compound for the new installation.

[Kevster]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
You have to remove the old thermal compound completely, then add new compound for the new installation.

Optimally you will have to do this with Isopropyl Alcohol and Q-tip cotton swabs. You will need it to be spotless so you can add the new compound and spread it evenly across the processor with a razor blade or something else with a fine edge.

[modena]

i am going to purchase a pack of thermal pads, and isopropyl alcohol is what I should use to clean?

[Cantacuzene]

I would seriously consider using Arctic Silver Ceramique rather than a thermal pad.

[modena]

why that over the thermal pad. AMD said that they reccomended the thermal pad for a normal installation and the grease for if you are going to change the cpu/mobo/heatsink on a regular basis.

[Cantacuzene]

Ofcourse AMD would say that. Intel and AMD don't officially want you to do any non-stock modifications to your cpu.

[Kevster]

Thermal pads are not a good way to go - Artic Silver is much better. It has a much higher thermal conductivity so that your processor can actually move it's heat from the processor itself to the heat sink where it can be dissipated. A pad is not going to give you the same heat transfer rate that a liquid paste will because of the limited number of contact points that the pad will have to both the processor and the heat sink. When I'm talking about contact points I'm talking about contact points at the molecular level. A thermal paste, being a liquid, will have a much greater heat transfer rate and help keep your processor from overheating too easily and make the heat sink actually do it's job.

[Cantacuzene]

Also note that metal based thermal pastes like Arctic Silver 3 void your warranty. However, arctic silver ceramique does not, so I would suggest you go with ceramique.

[Kevster]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Also note that metal based thermal pastes like Arctic Silver 3 void your warranty. However, arctic silver ceramique does not, so I would suggest you go with ceramique.

I voided my warranty a long time ago by painting my traces to unlock the FSB of my athlon. AS3 works great for me! :D