Copper Pad: is it useful?

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baldurga

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Feb 14, 2002
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Hi to everybody.

I have a Tbird 1.2Ghz and I want to run it as icy as I can, but also without to many fans. I have seen a product called "Copper Pad", that is just a flat copper piece with the right holes that is put it on the CPU (just for AMD's CPU), so it fits smooth. It is supposed that because there is more contact (not just the CPU core), more heat are transferred to the HSF. Do you know if this helps, or it is just something more to cash costumers? How many degrees can go down the CPU?

Sorry for my ignorance, maybe I am talking about something that everybody knows. Thank you in advance for your help.


Note: if this can help, 47º full load with open case, Epox KHA+, Titan 5DTB (3000 rpm).
 
do you have a link to this product?
sounds to me like it MIGHT lower temps, but i think it would be like with a shim...and i can tell you, my temps didnt go down with the shim...but it does protect the cpu core.
the one thing i would be wary about is that the thing is made EXTREMELY well. and i mean to the HIGHEST TOLERANCES. because if there is a gap inbetween the processor and the heatsink, well, check this out.
<A HREF="http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/01q3/010917/heatvideo-05.html#download_the_first_toms_hardware_test_lab_video" target="_new">http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/01q3/010917/heatvideo-05.html#download_the_first_toms_hardware_test_lab_video</A>
that could happen! not to scare you, because if you put a heatsink on properly, and there is proper contact, then you will be safe. but if you add something like the "copper plate" or a shim, you have to make sure that the core is going to make proper contact. with a shim, you can check. with this "copper plate" from the sounds of it, there is no way to check if the cpu core is making contact.

post up a link to the product if you could.

-DAvid

-Live, Learn, then build your own computer!-
 
that copper plate is called a shim.
people use them to protect the cpu cure from cracking if they rock their heatsink.

i believe they only make a minor difference with thermal dissapation, most of the heat from the core going out directly to the heatsink sitting ontop.

personally ive never used one as i just take care with my cpu.

<font color=purple>Win ME Slayer. And PROUD of it!</font color=purple>
 
Thank you a lot!

I didn't know, but I was talking about a shim. Sorry for my ignorance. After looking around I haven't found the shim I was talking, but here you have a link to one quite similar.

http://www.thermaltake.com/products/accessories/simXp.htm

And as a conclusion of your comments, I better don't use it, because the CPU is running fine right now. I will look for other ways to get the temperature down, probably more fans (the bad thing is that my PSU is only 300W).
 
yaaa.
if your cpu is fine then its fine.

its really just for those who are worried about cracking their core... oftenwith some of the older (and dumber) heatsinks & clip designs.

dont need many fans.
im running an overclocked system and all i have is the PSU and one low speed casefan drawing out the hot air

having some trouble with your 300W psu?
if u find it running very hot, and the voltages dipping then u may need a higher quality one.
notice i didnt necessarily say higher wattage...
often a 300W enermax can kick the ass of a 350W generic cheapie. what u should really look at is the Current supplied to each voltage 'rail'
more = better

<font color=purple>Win ME Slayer. And PROUD of it!</font color=purple>
 
Ok. I will add just one or two fans (maybe one blowing in another out) and check with MBM what happens (both temps and volts). If the PSU is not good enough, I will go for a new well-known one. How much wattage/volt rail will I need for 5 fans (besides a good PSU)? (5 = PSU fan, CPU fan, graphic card fan, 2 case funs blowing in/out)

BTW, I have made my homework 🙂 and I find that:

"The purpose of a shim is to make a larger surface for the heatsink to rest on, thus removing the tipping hazard that would often chip the corners of the CPU core. I've seen articles claim that the shim aids in cooling, since it offers larger mating surface for the heatsink, although I tend to disagree with this idea. A copper shim will attract heat, and since it is not part of the heatsink, will likely hold more heat than it can release into the heatsink. This is the same problem that some heatsinks have when they feature a copper base plate that isn't perfectly mated with the aluminum fins. Again, this is just my take on the situation. Bottom line: Don't by a shim to aid in cooling, buy it to save your CPU core."

I have copied this from http://www.maximum3d.com/reviews/cgshims.htm (don't ask me about the reputation of the website, just seems logic to me).



DIY: read, buy, test, learn, reward yourself!
 
i have that SHIM, the thermaltake one.
it didnt see ANY temp change, either up OR down.
but, seeing as how my computer is moved a LOT...and sometimes gets picked up, or is driven in a car, where i am not there, i decided that, hell, why not spend the extra LITTLE money for a shim and not take the risk or having a smashed core...
seems to be working so far! :wink:

-DAvid

-Live, Learn, then build your own computer!-
 
yep.
that sounds right
mostly to protect the core.

but if u have skill and a decent HSF then u really dont need one.


<font color=purple>Win ME Slayer. And PROUD of it!</font color=purple>
 
but you know what...i have installed many heatsinks on many athlons...
it isnt that hard to put it on right...and if you take it off, same thing.
the reason some people pick it is if they move their computer...it is kinda like cheap insurance for the cpu core....but that is just how i see it.

-DAvid

-Live, Learn, then build your own computer!-
 
i got a shim with my computer basicaly becasue it was only 5 bucks and i was already spending 400 it made attatching the hsf a lot easyer. the thing i dont really get, why is it copper? why not alluminum? or even hardend steel? seems to me it would be cheaper than copper.

how do you shoot the devil in the back? what happens if you miss? -verbal
 
hmm....possibly...
copper sells better i think....because people think it will help with cooling....
and, they can say that it is all copper...
lol
whatever works tho.....hehe...
you can make your own shim....although i would HIGHLY NOT RECCOMEND IT! i have seen guides around the internet about how to make it, and they used a piece of sheet metal.


-DAvid

-Live, Learn, then build your own computer!-
 
i only call them as i see them.
i wouldnt do it, due to the VERY low tolerance for variance. could you imagine making your own, and then when you power the system on, you hear a sizzle, and smell smoke? imagine how much you would kick yourself in the A$$ for that one :wink: !
and yeah...$5 cpu "insurance"
hehe...


-DAvid

-Live, Learn, then build your own computer!-
 
I've seen them also, made out of the metal bits off a floppy, personally I wouldnt use a shim at all, Ive heard a few tales of shims causing more harm than good, my pc is static, and it has a bolt on waterblock so theres not much chance of any damage, I suppose if I moved it around a lot i may have a diffrent opinion


If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?
 
well, i dont have personal experience with bolt on heatsinks, but supposedly, there is no problem with them...
because they distribute the weight much better...but i have never used them myself....(maybe soon).
has anyone seen the clawhammer thing on THG? those CPUS look like the P4...with the heatspreader. and the smaller package....almost like the same as the P4...weird..but with the heatspreader, you wouldnt have to worry about the core being crushed.
i have seen someone make their own heatspreader for the athlon...but it looked like a LOT of work...hehe....maybe when i have a new cpu, and get really bored...then i will try something like that.

-DAvid

-Live, Learn, then build your own computer!-
 


Thermal conductivity of silver [k - W/(m.K)]: 429
Thermal conductivity of copper [k - W/(m.K)]: 401
Thermal conductivity of gold [k - W/(m.K)]: 310
Thermal conductivity of aluminium [k - W/(m.K)]: 250
Thermal conductivity of iron [k - W/(m.K)]: 80
Thermal conductivity of steel [k - W/(m.K)]: 43

There's over a 60% increase in thermal conductivity using copper over aluminium. That's why.
 
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