Removing your Heatspreader
Introduction
Published: 6th May 2006 | Source: Overclock3D |
Remember back in the day all CPU's had their core exposed? This caused many problems, from novice users cracking their cores, to hardcore overclockers killing their CPU's with unorthodox cooling solutions. The Intel Pentium 3 was the first mainstream CPU to feature the IHS. Following that, was the Pentium 4, which included an IHS. Intel's IHS' were mounted the same way AMD K8 CPU's IHS are, with some epoxy and thermal paste. This caused many problems, because sometimes the IHS would not make proper contact with the core, and temperatures would be abnormally high, hence hindering overclockability. So to tackle the problem Intel started soldering their IHS' to their cores.
(From left to right, AMD K6, Intel PIII Tualatin, Intel Pentium 4 Williamette (s423), Intel Pentium 4 (s478), Intel Pentium 4 (s775), AMD K8 (s754, s939)
Why Remove the IHS?
Since the introduction of the K8 series CPU, AMD has been using epoxy to mount their IHS. To ensure proper thermal transfer between the core and the IHS, they applied a layer of thermal paste. Sometimes too much or not enough thermal paste get's applied at the factory, or the IHS isn't seated properly on the core. This can make your CPU run abnormally warm, hence hindering your overclock. To solve this, people remove their IHS. When you remove the IHS, your heatsink makes contact directly with your core vs the heat spreader, instantly having better contact with the CPU.
Since the introduction of the K8 series CPU, AMD has been using epoxy to mount their IHS. To ensure proper thermal transfer between the core and the IHS, they applied a layer of thermal paste. Sometimes too much or not enough thermal paste get's applied at the factory, or the IHS isn't seated properly on the core. This can make your CPU run abnormally warm, hence hindering your overclock. To solve this, people remove their IHS. When you remove the IHS, your heatsink makes contact directly with your core vs the heat spreader, instantly having better contact with the CPU.
When you have an IHS, the heatsink doesn't make direct contact. Instead it's almost like a layered cake. Theres the CPU core, then some thermal paste. On top of that is a slab of metal, known as the IHS. Then some thermal paste on that, then finally the base of the heatsink. Doesn't sound too good for the cooling of the CPU, does it.
When you remove the IHS, it becomes core, thermal paste, then the base of the heatsink, or direct core contact.
Most Recent Comments
It'll help a little, a few degrees at max but is it worth risking damaging the chip for that?Quote
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Originally Posted by name='Rockindaveuk'
It'll help a little, a few degrees at max but is it worth risking damaging the chip for that?
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.You can get shigsy to do it - he's coordinated.Quote
Lol, i would rather upgrade my cooling than remove the IHS, the amount you will gain varies from chip to chip, i have seen some with really poor IHS contact where they gain 5-10C, others have fairly good contact and you only gain 2-3C.
If it is worth it is down to you, it's only money after all if you damage it
GQuote
If it is worth it is down to you, it's only money after all if you damage it
GQuote
What about remove put decent layer ceramic paste and reseal which is what I want to do but what does one use to reseal anyone know???Quote
Not a post to say do or dont do it, however if you do plz take pics...wanna see what a dual core looks like without a IHS.Quote
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