Author Topic: White sticky stuff  (Read 7715 times)

ahluka

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White sticky stuff
« on: July 24, 2007, 07:55:27 AM »
What's it called? You know, that stuff you dollop between the heatsink and chip on your CPU / GPU? I had to take my 7800GS apart this morning to de-dust it, apart from noticing said dust had formed it's own social structure, I also noticed the sticky stuff could use replacing (I accidentally touched it... twice). Or maybe it doesn't, I don't know.

Anyway, I've got no idea what it's called, having never owned a tube (comes in tubes, right?) neither have I got a clue where to get some.

I did manage to knock 10 degrees of my average GPU temp. though :)

ober

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2007, 08:49:01 AM »
You could call it several things, but the most common is "thermal paste".

BTW, touching it is a bad idea.  You could introduce oils from your fingers that would hinder the ability of the existing paste to conduct heat.  If you do plan to replace it, you should use some sort of electronics cleaning pad to clean both surfaces first.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2007, 08:50:45 AM by ober »

ahluka

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2007, 11:08:41 AM »
OK thanks for the info :)

Steve

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2007, 11:41:04 AM »
Artic Silver.

nuff said.
hey ethic if you and i were both courting lily allen..... oh wait, which one of us has a relationship that lasted more than the bus ride home?

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2007, 12:54:18 PM »
Artic Silver.

nuff said.

Best inthe biz.

Rob

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charlie

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2007, 01:30:35 PM »
You're asking what the white sticky stuff that comes out of a tube is called?

I know you wanted to get out more but I would expect you to know this by now.

ahluka

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2007, 04:14:14 PM »
You're asking what the white sticky stuff that comes out of a tube is called?

I know you wanted to get out more but I would expect you to know this by now.

 :rofl:

Thanks for the link Rob.

Steve

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2007, 04:30:57 PM »
hey ethic if you and i were both courting lily allen..... oh wait, which one of us has a relationship that lasted more than the bus ride home?

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2007, 05:05:37 PM »
Yeah but Arctic Silver is the best hands down.  Don't use some no name.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm

I use it in instrumentation as well as PCs.  Blows the typical white or gray stuff outta the water.  In my instruments when I remove the cheap factory garbage and use AS, I pick up about 4 to 5 degrees C in efficiency. 

Please be sure to use the proper cleaning materials as well.  I use the following two step approach.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

Also you want just enough to coat the surface (to be cooled) when applied.  Too often I find overheating is caused by the application of too much paste.  In extreme cases it squeezes out and cross conductsthe pins of the processor it is cooling.  FYI AS is not supposed to be capable of cross conducting though it may create capacitance between pins.

For an Intel P4 cpu it takes about a half of a pea worth of goop.  Spread it thinly and evenly with your finger inside a heavy duty plastic (freezer) bag.  Nitrile or latex gloves stretch too much.  I have read that using a bare (clean) finger does not measurably degrade efficiency.  I believe that.  BUT good luck getting it off you finger.

This stuff stains.  It also self replicates.  Get a little on something and try to rub it off and it increases in volume exponentially with each wipe.

G'luck and yell if we can be of more assistance.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2007, 05:09:19 PM by KnuckleBuckett »

Steve

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2007, 11:17:57 PM »
Good tips =]
hey ethic if you and i were both courting lily allen..... oh wait, which one of us has a relationship that lasted more than the bus ride home?

ahluka

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Re: White sticky stuff
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2007, 03:35:03 AM »
Yeah thanks, I'll hollar if I need more :)