i7 3770k TIM

Hi Steve and welcome to the forums,

I don't own one, but I think the issue you are talking about is actually the fact they are using TIM inside the CPU as appossed to convention methods.

The regular TIM that we all know and use will not matter too much.

Others will no doubt be able to explain it a lot better than me, but if I was you I would do a little searching about it and you should find a bit more info.

Cheers

Paul.

No worries, I know I didn't explain it very well.

But essentially the TIM you mentioned in regards to high temps on the 3770 is the internal TIM not the regular TIM we would think of/use.

Hi Steve, Intel opted to use a conventional type of TIM in Ivy Bridge for the IHS, Integrated Heat sink, the square metal you see on top of the CPU. There is TIM between it and the CPU die. Sandy bridge used a flux-less solder which dissipates heat better.
Ivy will run hotter regardless of the TIM you use on the cooler than a Sandy does.
I personally uses Arctic Silver 5 but there are many good alternatives, one uses powdered diamond.

This The CPU, a small journey will show how a CPU is put together.

Paul is correct about the application of a Heat conductor. What you are refering to is on the inside of the chip. Just use the normal thermal grease that You always use. As to the I7 3770K running hotter it might But the one I have installed with an after market cooler (Cooler Master V6) idles at 28 deg C to 31 deg C depening on the ambient room temp. I can use the machine and it might go to 39 deg C. I have never seen it hit 40. I have it running at 4.222 GHZ. I have never stressed tested it with any stress software. It preforms so well I just didn't see the need.