Q about Thermal Take HSF

[Streams]

Has any one used this thermal take HSF before http://www.thermaltake.com/tfcf011-1.htm Is it any good for a Duron 900Mhz it has some heatsink grease on the bottom of it is this ok to use will i need to put any on the core of the CPU as well or will it be fine with it on the bottom of the heatsink only it seems the clip is ment to be pushed on using only your finger is this safe i dont want to crack the core

Thanks for the input!

[DrZaius]

Hi Streams,

I've never used that HSF but Thermaltake has a reputation for making fancy looking coolers that don't actually keep the CPU cool (enough). It is rated for Duron/Athlon up to 1GHz, so it will work, but the temps might not be too good. Do not use the thermal tape that comes with the HSF, wipe it off and apply thermal paste (Arctic Silver II is the best, but the Radio Shack stuff works good too.) Hope that helps.

[Streams]

This HSF does not have thermal tape it has heatsink grease like arctic silver on the bottom would this cooler be sufficient to use as it is or does it need something else also do i need to add heatsink grease to the processor core or is just having it on the HSF enough

Thanks!

[DrZaius]

Just put a dab of thermal grease on the core of the CPU and install the HSF. Here are some good instructions with pictures:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

[Cricket]

Hi Streams,

If you're concerned about installing a heatsink on that Duron, go to the AMD website and download the heatsink installation .pdf file. It has really good instruction with illustrations on the correct way to install a heatsink onto an AMD processor. The CPU core on the Duron is smaller than the Athlon, so it's really important to hold the heatsink rock steady and parallel to the core while you're trying to attach the clip. You don't want the heatsink to tilt to one side or you could damage the core by crushing or chipping the edge. Hold the heatsink steady with one hand and use your freehand to push down only on the clip. Don't push down on the heatsink...just hold it as steady as you can.

I'm not familiar with that particular heatsink, but I've installed Cooler Master heatsinks (similar to the stock AMD heatsink/fan units) with Artic Silver II on a few T-Birds and the idle temp of the 1.2GHz was 39 degrees C and 42 degrees C after an hour of moderate use.

:) Cricket

[glc]

I am familiar with the Thermaltake you are talking about. It's as good as a stock AMD heatsink and will be just fine if you are not overclocking. This is real heatsink grease on it, not a pad - just slap it on the way it is and it will work fine. Hold the heatsink steady on top of the CPU by pushing straight down with one hand and latch the clips - do *NOT* tilt the heatsink under ANY circumstances. Do this with the motherboard out of the case and sitting on the table and install the ram while it's out of the case too.