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arctic silver

PostPosted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 12:55 pm
by dabadone
well, i am about to purchase this stuff but i must admit im rather nervous.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silv ... ctions.htm
^i have this as a guide

now i do plan on experimenting w/ overclocking, but im new to this (like my other threads indicate)

if i dont do this, how badly will it effect me?
is this really that difficult to do or am i just a skerry berry?

thanks

PostPosted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 1:14 pm
by tazdevl
If you're going to buy some... purchase their new product called Ceramique. It offers the best performance and isn't eletrically conductive like AS 2 and 3. The benefit here is that if you get some accidentally where it isn't supposed to be, it won't short anything out.

Putting it on is easy, follow the guide and you should have no problems.

One thing to remember is that the performance will get better after about 72-96 hours. It takes a bit of time for it to settle in. I'd recommend leaving your computer on for a few days before you attempt to overclock.

I use the edge of a credit card or piece of paper to smooth it across the die to ensure the coat is even and thin.

You want this stuff to be as thin as possible to ensure enough contact but not be so thick that it affects thermal xfer properties.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 1:58 pm
by dabadone
i got the antec reference silver thermal compound from best buy for about $10
i dont have RAM for my system yet (last thing i need to buy)
but i want to start this tonight, can i put apply the compound and just let it sit around for a bit..

PostPosted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 2:36 pm
by aviationwiz
You should have gotten Arctic Silver, it works better than any other Thermal Compound.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 3:44 pm
by tazdevl
dabadone wrote:i got the antec reference silver thermal compound from best buy for about $10
i dont have RAM for my system yet (last thing i need to buy)
but i want to start this tonight, can i put apply the compound and just let it sit around for a bit..


You can, but computer has to be on for it to settle. You need the heat to burn it in.

As aviation and I both mentioned, if you want the best (which can be 2-5 degrees celsius difference in temps) you want to use Arctic Silver Ceramique. Those 5 degrees can be difference your system being more stable when overclocked.

You can get a tube for $5.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.a ... 14&order=1

You can also check crazypc.com, coolerguys.com, heatsinkfactory.com, sidewindercomputers.com, directron.com, plycon.com etc...

PostPosted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 6:00 pm
by CignaXI
Like many have already said go with Arctic Silver Ceramique is cheaper than AS3 and better. If you are planning to use this on a amd cpu you should know that AS3 voids its warranty because it is electrical conductive. Ceramique ain't. I have found that using voided checks is percfect for spreading the compound on the HS. For the cpu I use credit card like card, maybe a blade will do better but the credit card is fine. It should be clean else it will affect the heat transfer.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 6:22 pm
by Inertia
I'm not trying to talk anyone out of using thermal compounds (greases), but be aware that this will void your AMD processor warranty.

See Using Thermal Grease with AMD Processors Voids Warranties.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 4:36 am
by blakerwry
as long as you don't do anything stupid AMD will take it back (this is fact and reality)

AMD has taken this stance, I assume, so that if somebody uses grease improperly (ie instead of a CPU you have a CP-OOOZE) then they can say that they will not accept the CPU.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 4:38 am
by blakerwry
by the way, there's less than 1-2C temp difference between AS and the Antec silver... AS is not the best grease, but it is good... certainly nothing magical about it.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 5:20 am
by tazdevl
blakerwry wrote:by the way, there's less than 1-2C temp difference between AS and the Antec silver... AS is not the best grease, but it is good... certainly nothing magical about it.


I'd disagree, I've been through 6 different componds for experimentation's sake. AS has yielded the best results by far for me and funny enough it's always on the top in heatsink compound reviews.

I'd be interested to see where you get your info from.

My point was that there can be as I said up to a 5 degree C difference between a poor and decent quality thermal compound.

Regarding AMD and warranty issues, you are correct. As long as you aren't a meathead and get regular AS on the bridges or at the base of the pins (how you'd do that is beyond me) AMD will honor your warranty.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 10:20 am
by dabadone
again, thanks for all the info..
Image

and NOT the Polysynthetic

i'll let ya guys know what happens

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2003 3:05 pm
by blakerwry
The Shin etsu has always beaten artic silver in any test I've ever seen. And, coincidentally, it is the only grease that AMD recomends.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2003 5:49 pm
by dabadone
ok, i put the stuff on last week.
not sure if i did it perfect, but im guessin good enough

it says my cpu is at about 102/103*

is that too hot?? :-?

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2003 7:52 pm
by blakerwry
dabadone wrote:ok, i put the stuff on last week.
not sure if i did it perfect, but im guessin good enough

it says my cpu is at about 102/103*

is that too hot?? :-?


no, that's pretty cool... 120F is about where I run my CPUs (I lower the cooling till the CPU hits ~50C) This way I have a quiet system and a decently cool running CPU.

60C, or about 140F, is considered the general point at which most CPUs becomes too hot to function stable.