Reapplied TIM - Temps are up though?

MoodyMan · 16 Sep 2007 at 20:06

I removed the pre-applied TIM from my Arctic Freezer 7 Pro, cleaned both the CPU and heatsink and applied some AS5. I used the method advocated by Custom PC (rice sized blob in centre of headspreader, spread over entire surface of with finger in plastic bag).

However I've done something wrong as the temps in speedfan are up by a huge amount:

Previous Idle = 39C (CPU) 31C (Mobo)
Previous Load = 60C (CPU) 44C (Mobo) -- CPU Fan RPM = 1250 ***stopped orthos after 13 mins ***

New Idle = 57C (CPU) 39C (Mobo)
New Load = 86C (CPU) 40C (Mobo) -- CPU Fan RPM = 2800 ***stopped orthos after 30secs due to high temps***

NB: Everything is at stock settings 2.66GHZ, 1.296V Vcore. Can post screenshots if required.

I did end up spreading out the paste pretty thinly, used several plastic bags attempting to get it completely smooth, so I ended up losing large % of the TIM. Any ideas other than re-applying?

Cob · 16 Sep 2007 at 20:08

I would ensure the heatsink is seated correctly.

MikeTimbers · 16 Sep 2007 at 20:09

Thermal paste has far less effect than you might think. You can easily get variations of +/-5C just through good/bad mounts of the heatsink.

Teaf · 16 Sep 2007 at 20:15

I would definetly reseat the heatsink. Going up that much in temperature would point to a clip not mounted properly and the heatsink being lop-sided and not making a flat surface connection with the chip.

MoodyMan · 17 Sep 2007 at 00:50

MoodyMan said:
Previous Idle = 39C (CPU) 31C (Mobo)
Previous Load = 60C (CPU) 44C (Mobo) -- CPU Fan RPM = 1250 ***stopped orthos after 13 mins ***

New Idle = 57C (CPU) 39C (Mobo)
New Load = 86C (CPU) 40C (Mobo) -- CPU Fan RPM = 2800 ***stopped orthos after 30secs due to high temps***

OK you guys were right, one of the heatsink clips wasn't fully locked so that explains the huge increase in temps, however, my temps are still up from my original installation with the factory applied TIM.

Current Idle = 50C (CPU) 37C (Mobo)
Current Load = 73C (CPU) 40C (Mobo)

Anyone have any suggestions as I can't see me gaining 11C on idle and 13C on load with my current set up once the new TIM has had a chance to 'bed' itself in... time to apply some more?

WJA96 · 17 Sep 2007 at 05:19

Given that Arctic Cooling make the coolers, and they make some of the best TIM on the market in MX-1, why do you think you and Custom PC know better than them? Custom PC make up most of the stuff in their magazine.

Most Intel CPU Integrated Heat Spreaders are slightly dished, so you use a big chunk of TIM to fill in any potential gaps.

Arctic Silver have the correct fitting instructions on their website.

The 'grain of rice' method works perfectly if you have lapped your IHS perfectly flat though.