new CPU HSF

[Martin_89]

well im thinking about getting a new CPU HSF for my barton 2500 when i get it soon. so what do you recomend, low noise is a MUST and low price would be a bonus looking for good cooling though as im an overcker. one thing though it must come with a thermal pad or paste applyed as i just cant do this, i know that sounds weird but i just cant lol.

looking at THIS coolermaster HSF with 80MM Fan but im not sure if 29DBA is quiet?

[wetling]

Why can't you apply thermal paste?

[SaulTurnedPaul]

The ceramique stuff is much easier to apply than most - perhaps you'd be fine with that?

I'd recommend the SLK800 with a 92mm fan. Friend's got one and loves it to death.

[oORyanOo]

Be sure to factor in whether you want a quiet fan, something normal, or a performance fan like the Tornado

[Martin_89]

well im just useless at applying the paste.

well i definately want silent, or at least quiet but id like some performance.

[wrathchild_67]

It's easy, start with just a speck of paste and dab it on the core with your finger (make sure you wash your hands thoroughly first to minimize oils from your skin getting into the mix). As you progress and keep holding it to the light, you'll see tiny areas of exposed core shining back. Continue doing this until you can no longer see a shine from the core when holding it to the light. This ensures an even distribution of paste, complete coverage of the core, and a minimal amount of paste is used.

[SaulTurnedPaul]

Originally posted by wrathchild_67
It's easy, start with just a speck of paste and dab it on the core with your finger (make sure you wash your hands thoroughly first to minimize oils from your skin getting into the mix). As you progress and keep holding it to the light, you'll see tiny areas of exposed core shining back. Continue doing this until you can no longer see a shine from the core when holding it to the light. This ensures an even distribution of paste, complete coverage of the core, and a minimal amount of paste is used.

I tend to fancy an old floppy's metal clip, myself.

[Martin_89]

awrite, the coolermaster stuff i had came with a little card and told me to apply it to the heatsink, so os it best to do it on the core?

[wrathchild_67]

The only paste I've ever had to apply to the heatsink is Nanotherm PCM+. It's basically a liquid that dries into a waxy substance. You also have to put it on the core as well. If the coolermaster stuff is just regular paste, you can get by putting it only on the core.

For the Nanotherm, I use the included 'spatula' because I don't want to touch the stuff. But with pastes, using your finger to apply it is fine. Just make sure to have paper towels around.

[wetling]

Originally posted by wrathchild_67
It's easy, start with just a speck of paste and dab it on the core with your finger (make sure you wash your hands thoroughly first to minimize oils from your skin getting into the mix). As you progress and keep holding it to the light, you'll see tiny areas of exposed core shining back. Continue doing this until you can no longer see a shine from the core when holding it to the light. This ensures an even distribution of paste, complete coverage of the core, and a minimal amount of paste is used.

This seems like a terrible idea to me.

Martin, applying thermal paste isn't hard. I use a razor blade or credit card.

[agw_01]

I have a Thermalright SK-6+ with an 80mm YS-Tech Silent fan. The fins on my SK-6+ have been spread out, so that they are the right size for the fan.

With the low amount of airflow through my case (all fans on 7v), my temps are 40ºc idle and 47ºc full load. This is in a mildly warm room with the side panels on.

I would recommend the SLK-800 or 900, I'm definately going to get a 900 eventually, although the SK-7 can be had for dirt cheap on OcUK. Thermalright know how to make great heatsinks... my SK-6+ is a prime example... It's cooling a Barton 2500 @ 2.1GHz (pretty crap OC)

Oh, to spread thermal paste, I either use a flat-headed screwdriver or the heatsink from one of my Voodoo3 3000's.

[wrathchild_67]

Originally posted by wetling
This seems like a terrible idea to me.

Martin, applying thermal paste isn't hard. I use a razor blade or credit card.

You obviously haven't done it then.

[agw_01]

Well it isn't exactly difficult, it's just messy. It can also have terrible end results if you use Arctic Silver and don't notice any spillage's

[wetling]

Originally posted by wrathchild_67
You obviously haven't done it then.

Nope, I prefer to do it right.

Clean the mating surfaces completely with a low residual solvent (High-purity isopropyl alcohol or acetone will work) and a LINT FREE cloth. (i.e. lens cleaning cloth) If another thermal compound has previously been applied to the heatsink, the mounting surface should be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned with a xylene based cleaner, (Goof Off and some carburetor cleaners) acetone, mineral spirits, or 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. It is important to keep the surfaces free of foreign materials and NOT to touch the surfaces (a hair, piece of lint, and even dead skin cells can significantly affect the thermal interfaces performance, especially on modern small core CPUs as the surface area is already severely limited). In addition, oils from your fingers can adversely affect the performance by preventing the micronized silver fill from directly contacting the metal surface. (Fingerprints can be as thick as 0.005")

Directions

[wrathchild_67]

Funny, my way works just fine and it gives me lower temps than what would be expected (especially when compared to hsf and past reviews online). Don't talk out your *** unless you've tried it and can say it doesn't work.