Ivy Bridge Temperatures Could Be Linked To TIM Inside Integrated Heatspreader: Report

[Twirlywoos]

PC enthusiasts with Ivy Bridge engineering samples, and reviewers at large have come to the consensus that Ivy Bridge is a slightly warmer chip than it should be. An investigation by Overclockers.com revealed a possible contributing factor to that. Upon carefully removing the integrated heatspreader (IHS) of an Ivy Bridge Core processor (that steel plate on top of the processor which makes contact with the cooler), the investigator found common thermal paste between the CPU die and the IHS, and along the sides of the die.

In comparison, Intel used flux-less solder to bind the IHS to the core on previous-generation Sandy Bridge Core processors. Attempting to remove IHS off a chip with flux-less solder won't end well, as it could rip the die off the package. On the other hand, the idea behind use of flux-less solder in CPU packages is to improve heat transfer between the die and the IHS. Using thermal paste to do the job results in slightly inferior heat transfer, but removing IHS is safer. One can be sure that making it safe for IHS removal couldn't have been the issue behind switching back to conventional thermal paste, as everything under the IHS isn't user-serviceable anyway, and off limits for them.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164858

So based on what evidence we could find from our own investigation, as well as what experience has taught us, Ivy Bridge is running hot when overclocked because of TIM paste between the IHS compared to solder attach used on Sandy Bridge. Why Intel made this choice we aren’t yet sure. We also aren’t sure if they will continue using TIM paste on the Ivy Bridge line, or if this will only be seen on the Engineering Samples like the units sent out for review. However, we’ve put word out again to Intel and are waiting to hear back if they have any further insight or comment to offer. If nothing else, we can hope their reply will again be in good humor… “Secret Sauce” did give us a laugh!

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[Twirlywoos]

This is what happens when you try to remove the IHS from a chip that has solder instead of TIM.


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[hyperst]

Be interesting if they get back to them with a reply, hope it is just the engineering samples and the retail have been soldered.

 

[Combat squirrel]

Hope it's retail, I'm thinkin direct contact CPU-> heatsink would b awesome

 

[Trofeo]

Hope it's retail, I'm thinkin direct contact CPU-> heatsink would b awesome

Would you just use the heatsink to hold the cpu in place then? because the lever on the socket secures against the edge of the IHS normally. Another concern of mine is the difference in thickness, I'd be interested to know if thats a problem or not with making contact with the heatsink.

 

[Zeed]

IHS taken off Ivy Bridge

http://www.overclockers.com/ivy-bridge-temperatures

Well that is why it heats up as ****.....

So whos doing it here first ??

 

[the1gooner]

More details and pictures about this being discussed here:-

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18396844

I wouldn't do it.

 

[kingbender]

Didn't people do this back in the days of socket 939?

 

[Highlands]

Interesting.

 

[chriscubed]

Will be interesting to see if this is just an ES problem and not retail, but that is wishful thinking I guess.
Has there been any confirmation of which reviews, if any, are using retail chips?

 

[nickeverett]

Didn't people do this back in the days of socket 939?

http://91.151.218.11/showthread.php?t=17499041

 

[Krono5]

I eagerly await someone other than myself doing it

 

[panyan]

lets see if stulid will do it for us

 

[Juantjie]

also, why a steel plate, and not go the extra yard with aluminium or copper (or even an alloy)? steel is a cra*py conductor!

 

[Yaayuh!]

also, why a steel plate, and not go the extra yard with aluminium or copper (or even an alloy)? steel is a cra*py conductor!

CHEEAAPPP!!
And also, stronger.
Alloys can be expensive.

 

[panyan]

i guess you could use a copper shim, but then you may as well use the cpu normally with the ihs no?

 

[Krono5]

also, why a steel plate, and not go the extra yard with aluminium or copper (or even an alloy)? steel is a cra*py conductor!

No competition from AMD means intel can be as cheap as they like.

 

[panyan]

No competition from AMD means intel can be as cheap as they like.

theyve never been copper/aluminium have they?

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=21768477&postcount=195

It seems that Intel is using TIM now under the heatspreader:

http://www.overclockers.com/ivy-bridge-temperatures

Before they used solder and in the article they suggest this is the reason it runs hot.

I posted this in the IB review thread yesterday and that is the article TPU is linking to.

 

[Twirlywoos]

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/core/3rd-gen-core-lga1155-socket-guide.html