CPU Installation Lesson Learned

[Skittles]

I'd like to take some of your time to share a lesson I learned

Last night when I was installing my new CPU, I didn't quite pay attention to aligning the heatsink correctly until after I had shifted one of the clamps to hold the heatsink down. Well I shifted the CPU about 3mm so it would fit correctly.  But doing this shift, without undoing one of the clamps, sent most of the thermal goop squirting out one side. Duh! I should know better. I was getting a temp of 130F.

But...

Then, I tried removing the heatsink and the goop was so sticky, it pulled the CPU right out of the socket. OH GEEZ! Thank God I didn't rip a pin. Then, very carefully, I had to use a small screwdriver to get the CPU off the heatsink. I scooped the goop off the side and "tried" reapplying to the heatsink. Didn't go back on very smooth. But using a small twisting motion, while the clamps were half tight, it was enough to redistribute the goop all over. Now my temps are down to 120F.

[Dan]

You were VERY luck methinks!
Dan

[Gixer]

EEEK sounds like you had a lucky escape. You usually get bent pins from that happening.  

What goop are you using? I use AS3 as I got it ages ago and it will probably last me ages.  It nevers get so sticky that I cant get the HS off though.  In fact its quite slippy stuff, I wouldnt describe it as gooey even.

I dont put hardly any on though, a really thin layer is all it needs, you do not want any of it spreading much when the H/S is placed on top.

I actually decreased my temps by putting less on!, I had a gooping out the edge effect on my last XP2800cpu, put less on got no goop and it helped temps a bit.

[Skittles]

[quote]EEEK sounds like you had a lucky escape. You usually get bent pins from that happening.

[Gixer]

LMAO wonder why

[Delta_]

When applying thermal "goop" you only need a very thin layer.  All it does is fills the roughness of the heatsink in, it is an insulator aswell, so you only need a small amount.

[Gixer]

Also before trying to remove CPU run PC at full load for a bit.  The heat will soften the 'Goop' so the H/S should come off easier  ;D

[Ivan]

Grey goop... you're lucky for not getting short-circuit on the CPU...
the grey one contains aluminium besides being conductive to heat, it's also conductive for electricity.

To get the heatsink off, try wiggling it around a little bit, as the edges tend to run around the core and get sticky.

@Gixer: seems to be pre-applied Arctic Silver, as that's the only one i know of with a metal-grey color.

[Skittles]

When applying thermal "goop" you only need a very thin layer.  All it does is fills the roughness of the heatsink in, it is an insulator aswell, so you only need a small amount.

Yeah, I know. Thank you though.

[quote]Also before trying to remove CPU run PC at full load for a bit.