CPU HSF re-prepping procedure???

[drewK7VT2]

Hello,

I have an AthlonXP 1700+ CPU cooled by a Thermaltake Volcano7. It has worked fine for the longest time, but I just switched motherboards and since I installed it in the new board it just doesn't seem to be cooling as well. Probably my fault since I was lazy and used a thermal pad (got it off now, and going to use thermal grease instead), but i was wondering, what is the proper procedure for scoring/sanding/smoothing out the copper surface for better heat conductivity? And also is it even necessary with this HSF?

Thank you,
Andrew

[drewK7VT2]

Well, you guys are slow (j/k ) but i contacted Thermaltake, and apparently the question i was asking above is not necessary with a volcano7.

So, as usual, i just cleaned both the hsf copper and the cpu core off with q-tips and rubbing alcohol, rubbed some thermal grease into the bottom of the hsf, and put a dab of thermal grease on the cpu core and smoothed it out.

well, i guess that did the trick, because before I was seeing temps of 53-54C at full load and 50C at idle. Now I am seeing 49C at full load and 44-45C at idle

this is just more proof that thermal pads are BAAADDD. don't be lazy!

-andrew

[Cricket]

For future reference: Arctic Silver Instructions.

And if you even want to "polish" (not lap) the copper or aluminum on the bottom of the heatsink, you can use baking soda and a damp rag to brighten up the surface. But I'm not sure how much this actually helps (never really seen much difference in temps on my systems).

Cricket

[glc]

Thermal pads are not bad, as long as they are good quality and used properly.