Overclocking help; your suggestions, please.

GARoss said:

A week ago I was proud of my new PC build accomplishment. Now I'm convinced I didn't get something right. But, I'm glad to have the support of this website. Thanks to all.

When I 1st booted this morning, temps were 30-32C idle. After 30 minutes they're 36-39C idle. I'm going to investigate this soon, but, if the fan isn't seated correctly I need to know what to do & what to do it with.

1st, this fan was tough to install (for me at least, a newbe). It overhangs the MB's #1 RAM slot & crowded #2 slot so badly I had to exchange my original RAM choice to a shorter, heatsink type. That being said, maybe a different fan is in order; one with a more positive mount that leaves no doubt if it's seated. This site has quit a list Top 5 Intel & AMD Heatsinks on Frostytech. No doubt louder but cooler.

If I re-install this fan, I'll need to clean both the CPU & heatsink with rubbing alcohol & what; any type cloth or only microfiber? Paper towel is a no-no?

This time use a rice-size amount of Arctic Silver? Should this be wiped evenly or let the heatsink do that?

If the black pins in the mount all protruded the same length through the motherboard and you heard a click, then your heatsink is mounted correctly. I assume you mounted it outside the case and did a visible verification of the black pins.

I suspect the nuances between a rice size amount and the thin stripe per Arctic Silver instructions are within the margin of error. By that I mean that if it runs cooler or warmer after reapplication, you would be mistaken to draw any conclusions. Likewise on the question of wiping evenly or letting the heatsink do it.

FYI, I got idle temps in the low 30s with the stock cooler in a 72 F room, not in the 20s. My idle temps with the Big Shuriken are about the same. I have never idled in the 20s with any processor or heatsink in 70 plus rooms.

If you are going very far down the overclocking road, get a new heatsink that pays little attention to noise.

My offhand guess as to your current situation is that you have done nothing wrong--your temps are normal for your heatsink/ambient temp situation---and that any readjustment with this heatsink is pointless. I don't see any reason to be unhappy about the build. The only exception is if the heatsink is in fact NOT seated properly---which is a possibility. But your temps are NOT way out of line and don't vary much from mine.

Clean the heatsink with isopropyl and q tips or a clean white cotton cloth. A purist would tell you to use lintless coffee filters.

Most importantly, decide on your commitment to overclocking. If you get into it seriously, get a new heatsink and obsess over temps, voltages, etc. If you don't get into it seriously, I wouldn't change a thing--per the results of your already completed tests.

ignatzatsonic said:

GARoss said:

A week ago I was proud of my new PC build accomplishment. Now I'm convinced I didn't get something right. But, I'm glad to have the support of this website. Thanks to all.

When I 1st booted this morning, temps were 30-32C idle. After 30 minutes they're 36-39C idle. I'm going to investigate this soon, but, if the fan isn't seated correctly I need to know what to do & what to do it with.

1st, this fan was tough to install (for me at least, a newbe). It overhangs the MB's #1 RAM slot & crowded #2 slot so badly I had to exchange my original RAM choice to a shorter, heatsink type. That being said, maybe a different fan is in order; one with a more positive mount that leaves no doubt if it's seated. This site has quit a list Top 5 Intel & AMD Heatsinks on Frostytech. No doubt louder but cooler.

If I re-install this fan, I'll need to clean both the CPU & heatsink with rubbing alcohol & what; any type cloth or only microfiber? Paper towel is a no-no?

This time use a rice-size amount of Arctic Silver? Should this be wiped evenly or let the heatsink do that?

If the black pins in the mount all protruded the same length through the motherboard and you heard a click, then your heatsink is mounted correctly. I assume you mounted it outside the case and did a visible verification of the black pins.

I suspect the nuances between a rice size amount and the thin stripe per Arctic Silver instructions are within the margin of error. By that I mean that if it runs cooler or warmer after reapplication, you would be mistaken to draw any conclusions. Likewise on the question of wiping evenly or letting the heatsink do it.

FYI, I got idle temps in the low 30s with the stock cooler in a 72 F room, not in the 20s. My idle temps with the Big Shuriken are about the same. I have never idled in the 20s with any processor or heatsink in 70 plus rooms.

If you are going very far down the overclocking road, get a new heatsink that pays little attention to noise.

My offhand guess as to your current situation is that you have done nothing wrong--your temps are normal for your heatsink/ambient temp situation---and that any readjustment with this heatsink is pointless. I don't see any reason to be unhappy about the build. The only exception is if the heatsink is in fact NOT seated properly---which is a possibility. But your temps are NOT way out of line and don't vary much from mine.

Clean the heatsink with isopropyl and q tips or a clean white cotton cloth. A purist would tell you to use lintless coffee filters.

Most importantly, decide on your commitment to overclocking. If you get into it seriously, get a new heatsink and obsess over temps, voltages, etc. If you don't get into it seriously, I wouldn't change a thing--per the results of your already completed tests.

Fumz said:

If you re-apply the paste and your temps drop to normal ranges... and that's the only change you make, then you can draw a conclusion.

The problem with Arctic Silver is that it doesn't come with an adjustable nozzle, and that orange stuff they show in their demonstration is a thinner rail than one can make when using the actual product. It would have been better if Arctic Silver actually used their own product in their product demonstration.

Heatsinks don't make noise, only the fans do. Because good heatsinks are so efficient you don't need loud fans like the days of yore. Like I said, at 4.5GHz my load temps are low to mid 50's, and the fan I'm using spins at 1200 rpm. It is, for all intents and purposes, silent.

Summer hasn't even begun... and if your machine is already approaching TM, then it's time to do something. I'm quite sure this will be a painless learning experience. :)

You guys are great. I wish I had your knowledge in these matters. But, I've taken the first step & have learned lots. :)

Here are some pics. The heatsink was fasten properly. Is that too much Arctic Silver?

Thanks. I'm leaning towards a new heatsink but need one that isn't so tall; less than 150mm or about 6". Zalman makes some but I don't need LED lights but they seem good enough. The CM Hyper 212 is great but too tall. And, then they're the hydro-type cools. I only have one rear case fan so I'm not sure if that's doable as the radiator stacks to the back of it.

Dave76 said:

Agree with Fumz, small even thin layer with saran wrap or rubber glove on your finger.

Anytime you have excess on the sides like that means you have too much paste to start with, I would say half as much might still be too much.

Did you look at the link?
Some good pics of what it should look like.
In one of his tutorials he mentioned that he uses the finger with saran/rubber glove method.
Too much paste will impede the heat transfer, in a perfect world metal to metal contact is best but, not possible to get the perfectly flat, smooth finishes and correct pressure applied, so thermal paste is required.

Yes, I did read it. It seemed one method doesn't fit all types of HS. After illustrating several methods that worked well on some HS but not all, he explained why he felt his method assured full coverage & proper amount. Thin is good.

Actually, I was waiting for feedback but also considering purchasing a different heatsink. It's just a difficult install that I dread doing. I guess I should as least reinstall this heatsink to see if that helps temps before reinvesting in something different. If, for no other reason, it will answer the question if too much paste was the problem.

I thought I'd post these prior to paste & reinstall. Cleaning the HS has revealed some scuff marks (other speckles are dust); CPU looks OK. Scuff marks are no surprise as this HS was a bit of a wrestling match to install. Hope the paste fills that.