Blocks on TIM or pads ?

threedee · 12 Jan 2013 at 20:54

Should i mount my heatkiller blocks onto gtx480 using TIM or pads ?
I have plenty of MX2 compound, dont have any pads as blocks are used.

BluSky · 12 Jan 2013 at 21:08

Normal practice is to use Tim for the actual GPU and pads on the memory.

threedee · 12 Jan 2013 at 21:08

but if i dont have any pads, can i moount with tim ? any problems with that ?

Space Monkey · 12 Jan 2013 at 21:21

As the pads have a certain depth to them it maybe that TIM wouldn't allow the block to make 100% contact with the RAM etc?

pgi947 · 12 Jan 2013 at 21:28

Space Monkey said:
As the pads have a certain depth to them it maybe that TIM wouldn't allow the block to make 100% contact with the RAM etc?

This, not to mention the absolute mess you'd make of your card

flame696 · 12 Jan 2013 at 21:36

As everyone has said use pads its what i used to mount my EK waterblock

threedee · 13 Jan 2013 at 14:18

Fair points on all suggestions.

So, next question is "what is best pad"? Which brands i should be looking at ? Best thermal conductivity...

Also, what thickness pads used to mount full cover blocks ? 1mm ? 2mm ?

pgi947 · 13 Jan 2013 at 14:39

You need to check with the block manufacturer to what thickness pads you need, brand is generally irrelevant.

OptimaLnrg · 13 Jan 2013 at 15:14

Watercool should have instructions for the block telling you what to use.

threedee · 13 Jan 2013 at 15:20

Yeah, already checked that. 0.25 and 1mm.
What/where should i get ?

Checking out ebay yields multiple choices plus info on w/mk. Max of which i've seen is 7 w/mk. How good/bad is it ? What are max w/mk for thermal pads ? Been reading on some german forums that there are up to 17 w/mk, but i cant find any...