What's under my heatsink?

No_Style · Feb 10, 2003, 12:33 AM

I decided to take a look under the heat sink of my P4. I found this icky blackish stuff that can be wiped off. Is this supposed to come off for better cooling? I'm just wondering if it's better to take it of for leave it on. (Mebbe it's some heat disappating aid) Thanks And yes, I'm a newb at this whole CPU Cooling deal. I was thinking of using rubbing alcohol to remove it.

Anyways, I got a response over @ Rage3D saying it is some ceramic thermal pad or something. Is it better to remove it or leave it on? BTW, I don't have Arctic Silver to use so it's either that or nothing.

ToshiroOC · Feb 10, 2003, 12:44 AM

Its a thermal pad - what it does is it gets attached to your heatsink, and when the processor gets heated, it melts and forms a gooey sort of heat-conducting glob of melted black stuff - you really don't want to be removing it if you can't replace it with any other thermal compound or pad, since thats what keeps your heatsink in good contact with your core - leave it, and once you get some arctic silver or other thermal compound, then consider replacing it, since in general thermal pads suck as far as thermal conduction goes, which is really their main job...

~~craig588~~ · Feb 10, 2003, 03:13 AM

Go to your local radio shack and ask for some thermal paste, you should be able to pick some up for 5-7 dollars. Even the generic crap they sell is better then intell's stuff. If you can you will want to scrape off the thin aluminum sheet that the black stuff is on. (to get better contact)

digitalwanderer · Feb 10, 2003, 03:23 AM

The idea behind the black gunk or thermal compound is to fill in all the tiny cracks and air gaps that even near-mirror finishes can still have between them...so try and get the bottom of your heatsink and your CPU as clean and smooth as possible before you put it back on!

The_Neon_Cowboy · Feb 10, 2003, 08:20 PM

I with craig588 on this one take the junk off and use past it usally works a hell of alot better!! but if you've got the $10 to spend by some artic silver 2 or 3 (prefured). You can pick up some generic themal paste at radio shack (it has some decent silver content, not alot but at least it's got some) for about $3-5.....

artic silver will shave off about 3-5C off your cpu temp!!! it's great stuff especialy if you like to O/C even a little! but make sure you read up on applying it....

Feb 10, 2003, 12:33 AM	#1
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	What's under my heatsink? I decided to take a look under the heat sink of my P4. I found this icky blackish stuff that can be wiped off. Is this supposed to come off for better cooling? I'm just wondering if it's better to take it of for leave it on. (Mebbe it's some heat disappating aid) Thanks And yes, I'm a newb at this whole CPU Cooling deal. I was thinking of using rubbing alcohol to remove it. Anyways, I got a response over @ Rage3D saying it is some ceramic thermal pad or something. Is it better to remove it or leave it on? BTW, I don't have Arctic Silver to use so it's either that or nothing. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Feb 10, 2003, 12:44 AM	#2
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Its a thermal pad - what it does is it gets attached to your heatsink, and when the processor gets heated, it melts and forms a gooey sort of heat-conducting glob of melted black stuff - you really don't want to be removing it if you can't replace it with any other thermal compound or pad, since thats what keeps your heatsink in good contact with your core - leave it, and once you get some arctic silver or other thermal compound, then consider replacing it, since in general thermal pads suck as far as thermal conduction goes, which is really their main job... __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Feb 10, 2003, 03:23 AM	#4
digitalwanderer Colour Commentator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Highland, IN USA Posts: 5,619 Rep Power: 0	For better transfer. The idea behind the black gunk or thermal compound is to fill in all the tiny cracks and air gaps that even near-mirror finishes can still have between them...so try and get the bottom of your heatsink and your CPU as clean and smooth as possible before you put it back on! __________________ WTF is up with the sigs?

Feb 10, 2003, 03:13 AM	#3
~~craig588~~ Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In clothing Posts: 3,510 Rep Power: 0	Go to your local radio shack and ask for some thermal paste, you should be able to pick some up for 5-7 dollars. Even the generic crap they sell is better then intell's stuff. If you can you will want to scrape off the thin aluminum sheet that the black stuff is on. (to get better contact)

Feb 10, 2003, 08:20 PM	#5
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	I with craig588 on this one take the junk off and use past it usally works a hell of alot better!! but if you've got the $10 to spend by some artic silver 2 or 3 (prefured). You can pick up some generic themal paste at radio shack (it has some decent silver content, not alot but at least it's got some) for about $3-5..... artic silver will shave off about 3-5C off your cpu temp!!! it's great stuff especialy if you like to O/C even a little! but make sure you read up on applying it....