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I wouldn't buy an aftermarket heatsink for an older CPU. I also wouldn't buy one for a new CPU unless I was overclocking the chip too high for the stock heatsink to manage it. When you do buy a new retail CPU, try the stock Intel heatsink first (there's absolutely nothing wrong with them) and only upgrade if your temps are too high. Some people buy after-market equipment just because it makes them feel cool or they want to impress other people at LAN parties with their nifty, LED-enhanced gear. If you read the Newegg reviews on aftermarket coolers, you'll see what I mean.
The parts dip solution would be bad for your heat sink. Nothing else mentioned in this thread would be a problem.
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Feb 6 2008 : 11:14AM
Thanks Drew. So if I buy break cleaner I should spray in on then wash it off with water? No dunking?
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Feb 6 2008 : 12:29PM
I don't mean to be an asshole but where can I buy break cleaning stuff? I just discovered that that my local hard ware shop does not sell it. I realize that I am a bit thick but I want to ask this question.
The auto dept. at walmart will have cans of aerosol brake cleaner for about 2 bucks. I swear I'd try washing it in the sink with a toothbrush before I sprayed brake cleaner on it though. Hell, WD40 would probably work too.
The solvent I use to clean thermal paste off CPUs and heatsink bottoms is called Goo-Gone, and it's really mild.
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nietzsche Deactivated User
5470 Posts 8/03
Posted - Feb 6 2008 : 9:44PM
When I cleaned my heat sink I just blew compressed air all over it. I know you'll say you shouldn't do that, but I'm a rebel dammit and thrive on the disregard of convention.
This would be a very good thing for power supplies, since they really aren't meant to be opened up and dust is probably the main thing that eventually kills them.
Picture of a can of Brakleen Like Drew, I've used this stuff for lots of cleaning jobs. I was told/shown by a friend. It is amazing stuff. However, after having quickly read the thread, I have the feeling that it is not the best in this situation. I get the feeling that using stuff like this is not a regular thing for conq. :) Once upon a time, when using a cleaner in an area that was not a flat surface - it was a carb and the cleaner was 2+2 - it blew back in my face. I have never forgotten the pain of just a tiny drop of that stuff in my eye. To this day, I'm very, very careful when working with pressurized spray stuff. Conq: if you do use Brakleen, be mindful. I'm thinking that if he just removes the heat sink and soaks it under water for a while, whatever gunk is built up on it should loosen up and come right off. A pot full of warm water is a lot safer to work with. :) Conq: Some reading to bookmark and refer back to: Arctic Silver Thermal instructions Another How To Correctly Apply Thermal Grease
Even if you by a replacement heatsink, it would still be a useful exercise (for future reference, among other things) to try to clean the old one using the various techniques suggested in this thread, beginning with the simplest methods first. It would be a learning experience with no downside. If you got good results, you might be able to return the new one for a refund or just save it for your next computer.
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Feb 11 2008 : 2:31PM
The old one was not as bad as I thought. The top was a real mess but otherwise it should still work. The new one was 15 mucks and it does not sound like someone is routing out a piece of wood with a rotary saw anymore. I'll post pictures of the one I took out and also wanted to note the whole procedure from desk to work bench and back was about 15 minutes. I did not buy special heat sink goop because there was already some installed on the intel in a neat little square. Figured more would be over call.
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Feb 11 2008 : 2:32PM
It gets pressed into place when you snap the heat sink in and it really does "snap" tight.
This is so cool right now. The difference in noise levels is something you will never experience but I am elated. NO shit you could be in the bathroom with the door shut and all the water running while flushing the toilet and you would still hear that goddamn whine. One day I was so bored I took a keyboard and discovered the sound was a b flat.
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conquistador Deactivated User
Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03
Posted - Feb 11 2008 : 2:58PM
Now for the real test, wish me luck. Crysis had to not crash out when I try to make it past this certain place with hugs explosions and stuff and they I will think the additional cooling helped.
You really should scrape off the stuff that came with the heat sink and buy some decent stuff. I was reading an article on the procedures for installing heat sinks and according to that article, the ready made stuff is no good. It'll probably work OK but still. I don't imagine a tube of decent grease will cost that much. It is extra work but peace of mind is worth it, I say.