ok to remove thermal pad off new intel heatsink to use arctic silver 5?

[mritech75]

Hi, this is my first build and I decided I would like to get into a little overclocking. I'd like to use the arctic silver 5 thermal compound instead of the thermal pad the came with the stock intel heatsink. First of all, is that ok to do-there won't be any space between the cpu and heatsink with there?(because of missing pad). I'm sure the heatsink is somewhat adjustable so it will be tight-right? I've read on here that it will void my cpu warranty which I will be doing anyway if I overclock-correct? I suppose I could put the heatsink on with the compound and remove it to be sure there is good contact. What's the best way to remove the thermal pad without damaging the heatsink? Some sort of non-goudging plastic putty knife? Will alcohol help soften it up? Or is that not recommended? Thank you for your advice- I really don't want to smoke a $300 cpu.

[bailey]

yes it is ok to do this, achol and a soft rag is what I use to clean it up with, be sure that you clean both the cpu and the heatsink.
no there is no adjustment on the heatsink, its not needed.
you cpu does run a bit hotter that the northwood cpu.
a clean dustfree heatsink fins and good air flow will give you the best cooling effect.

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by mritech75 ... I've read on here that it will void my cpu warranty which I will be doing anyway if I overclock-correct?.....

Yes, removing the pad and using stuff like AS will void the warranty. Some people have luck returning such items, some not. If you have to mod the CPU, then yes it voids the warranty (I'm not an OCer so I don't know what has to be done). If you OC via the BIOS or the like, then it's harder to catch.

[Kov-Ice]

Originally Posted by TwoRails Yes, removing the pad and using stuff like AS will void the warranty.

What do you do to keep from voiding the warranty when you move a processor and HSF from one mobo to another? I thought thermal pads were one-time use only. Don't you have to put something back between the processor and heat sink?

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by Kov-Ice What do you do to keep from voiding the warranty when you move a processor and HSF from one mobo to another? I thought thermal pads were one-time use only. Don't you have to put something back between the processor and heat sink?

Don't know how Intel handles this, but with AMD, they acknowledge this. I lost the link, but going from memory they basically tell you to clean the old pad off and install a recommended pad. Before you ask ( ) no I don't know where to get a "recommended" pad. Contacting AMD on this is on my list of thigs to do

[Kov-Ice]

Does anyone even sell non-recommended pads, or is paste the only thing a consumer can easily get?

[Cricket]

I've seen Antec thermal pads at CompUSA.

Cricket

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by Cricket I've seen Antec thermal pads at CompUSA. Cricket

Nice tip. It made me search Newegg, but came up zero. I went to CompUSA and found one selection. The funny thing is that you can buy a 3 pack for $3.99 and a one year replacement service plan for $4.99!! That's a good one, LOL

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...8621&pfp=srch1

TwoRails

[Kov-Ice]

Ya, I went to CompUSA last nite and found a 3-pack of the store brand (nothing else available.)

On these pads, the directions say 'peel back red backing.' There's nothing red... ha

There's three layers after I pull the pad from the clear plastic it ships on. A tab of backing says 'please remove' on the one side. It is stuck very tightly to a thin clear blue piece (aluminum?). On the other side of the blue piece is the whitish/light pink goo.

The paper tab is very hard to peel back from the blue piece. How does one get it off without getting the goo stuck to finger tips? Does the goo side go to the HSF, and the blue piece is what's against the processor?

[TwoRails]

Maybe wearing some latex glove would help. I've never used a replacement pad, but I'd imagine your right that the sticky side goes to the HS. The blue is a piece of plastic, yes? If so, it should be removed at the time of install.

[Kov-Ice]

Yikes. So this thin piece of goo is all that's supposed to go on. I've been experimenting with one of the 3 that came in the pack, and I don't see how the blue piece (I guess it is plastic) will peel off without stretching and destroying the goo itself. Maybe once the goo makes contact with the HSF, it will hold on while the plastic peels off?

[TwoRails]

That sounds good to me