Thermal Pad/Thermal Paste

[Droidmaster]

Well, I have an older Computer I found laying around, And Figured I should give it some new life.

However, Whatever thermal compound was on it (the processor + heatsink) before is all dried up now.
I don't know much about thermal conductors, so while searching around for thermal paste/grease, I read about something called a "Thermal Pad" which is (I think) the same thing, but in a pad?

Seeing as I am clueless about that stuff, I figured Asking here might give me an answer... First, what exactly is the difference? And is there a benefit of paste over pad, or the other way around?

[haribo]

what exactly is the difference? ,, you mean apart from one being a paste/guey liquid like substance, and the other being a foam type square pad?

hehe

anyways, go for a non-conductive thermal paste/grease. it has slighlty lower temps. and is easier to remove if done wrong or in future
these would be the benefits,
benefits of pad over grease? mmmmm mabie easier for an amatuar to do it? and little effort required to fit.

(think most are non-conductive these days )

[Cod3waX]

get the grease because u dont know the how far the pad will spread under pressure from the heatsink and if it will cover the whole cpu

[Droidmaster]

Ok, thanks for your input.

I guess I'll go with the thermal paste rather than the pad, for reasons mentioned above, and It makes more sense to go with the better method rather than trying to cut corners and make it easier.

[happy_highlander]

Ok, thanks for your input.

I guess I'll go with the thermal paste rather than the pad, for reasons mentioned above, and It makes more sense to go with the better method rather than trying to cut corners and make it easier.

Remember the thinner and flatter the better almost translucent if you can you only want it to cover the tiny imperfections as the best heat conductor is the copper on the base of your heatsink. The thermal paste is only really there to fill the microscopic voids as air is the worst heat conductor. Try to get the heatsink as near to final position as possible when putting it on to reduce the amount of wiggling needed to get the screws in.

[Droidmaster]

Remember the thinner and flatter the better almost translucent if you can you only want it to cover the tiny imperfections as the best heat conductor is the copper on the base of your heatsink.

Thanks for your response (That helps alot) but one thing; The heatsink I have is not made out of copper, it's a silver coloured metal (aluminium maybe?)

If you want I can upload a picture of it...

I assume it's still the same process even though it's not copper.

[haribo]

Thanks for your response (That helps alot) but one thing; The heatsink I have is not made out of copper, it's a silver coloured metal (aluminium maybe?)

If you want I can upload a picture of it...

I assume it's still the same process even though it's not copper.

read his post again, and a little closer my friend.
look at the bottom of your heatsink

[Droidmaster]

read his post again, and a little closer my friend.
look at the bottom of your heatsink

But It looks the same all around; I Attached some pictures of the bottom so you can see.

I assume what's meant is that the copper is underneath that square padding? I was going to remove it anyway before "Lapping" the heatsink (I read that you should do that first).

So... Now I'm pretty confused...

[Cod3waX]

clean that up get all that old paste/pad off and make it as smooth as possible and get it really really shiny like a mirror

this link will show u how Thermal Paste and How To Use It

[Droidmaster]

clean that up get all that old paste/pad off and make it as smooth as possible and get it really really shiny like a mirror

this link will show u how Thermal Paste and How To Use It

That Cleared up everything. Thank you so much!!! I really Appreciate it.

I just can't believe I was this clueless... Then again, Seeing as this is the first time I'm doing it, there should be some things I'm unfamiliar with.

[haribo]

ahh the joys of the community.
Did you get it sorted?

[Droidmaster]

I got the heatsink all cleaned, I "lapped" it, and I just need my thermal paste to arrive. (I ordered it for delivery) But with the information you guys gave me, I should be good to go. Again, Thanks for all of your help.

[haribo]

I got the heatsink all cleaned, I "lapped" it, and I just need my thermal paste to arrive. (I ordered it for delivery) But with the information you guys gave me, I should be good to go. Again, Thanks for all of your help.

Do you mind me asking, what is/was the issue?. what made you take a look at the thermal paste on the heatsink?
how old is the cpu and what cpu is it?
Is the machine currently a non booter?

[Droidmaster]

The thermal Paste was just dried up. (Don't ask me why... I don't know why things happen)

Well, The computer is an older one, and Has just been sitting in the closet for the past 3 or 4 years. I figured I might as well do Something Useful with it.

I opened the case and it was VERY dusty, so I decided to clean it up a bit. I don't remember specifically looking for dried thermal paste, all I know is that The Heatsink wound up coming off the processor, and I saw it had all dried.

I still haven't tried booting it, because I don't feel comfortable booting it with the state of the thermal paste; but Last time I booted it up (years ago) it worked just fine.

[XRay333]

Check the FAN

The thermal Paste was just dried up. (Don't ask me why... I don't know why things happen)

Well, The computer is an older one, and Has just been sitting in the closet for the past 3 or 4 years. I figured I might as well do Something Useful with it.

I opened the case and it was VERY dusty, so I decided to clean it up a bit. I don't remember specifically looking for dried thermal paste, all I know is that The Heatsink wound up coming off the processor, and I saw it had all dried.

I still haven't tried booting it, because I don't feel comfortable booting it with the state of the thermal paste; but Last time I booted it up (years ago) it worked just fine.

When the paste dries that means it's got VERY HOT! be sure you check the fan on it.