Proper packing material for inside of computer case?

[mgx42]

Hi I'm driving from New York to Pennsylvania with my newly built PC. I have a coolermaster hyper 212 heat sink installed so I was a bit nervous of vibration causing it become loose and damage other components. That being said I do not want to remove and have to reapply the thermal paste and everything so I decided that i will secure it by placing some sort of packing inside the case surrounding it to keep it snug and secure. My question is what sort of packing material would be safe for that? The only idea i've had so far is newspaper (a lot) crumpled into balls surrounding it to keep it secure. Would newspaper be safe? Is there another way that's better (and easily accessible)?

 

[alexoiu]

Hi,
No, Remove it. It's not that difficult and it's safer. i've read some related posts with damaged board/components after transporting the case with the heatsink installed.

 

[darth pravus]

Heatsinks are too heavy to have rocking around straining the mobo.

Don't risk it and if you do, don't say we didn't warn you.

 

[kitsunestarwind]

Lay the case on its side, not upright, and you can pack it with a soft foam (not the kind that comes apart easily) or material/paper packing

 

[darth pravus]

Probably want it to be anti static too so you dont fry anything.

 

[mgx42]

Probably want it to be anti static too so you dont fry anything.

Would newspaper be considered anti-static?

 

[darth pravus]

I wouldn't guarantee it but I think so.

 

[unksol]

Doesn't matter what you pack it with it's still going to vibrate and strain the board. This is a bad idea. and you'll spend more time packing it than you would spending 5 minutes taking it off and putting it back

 

[zdbc13]

You could cover it with the anti-static motherboard bag and then use newspaper.

 

[mgx42]

Since there is a 50/50 opinion on this that leads me to take the safest way by removing it before I take my trip. Thanks for all of your opinions. Do I have to remove the thermal paste from the cpu? Or can I reuse it by leaving it there (for example just respreading it when I want to mount the heat sink again) Thanks in advance.

 

[darth pravus]

You have to clean in off and reapply new stuff

 

[mgx42]

You have to clean in off and reapply new stuff

With rubbing alcohol right?

 

[darth pravus]

That is correct, and a q tip.

 

[mgx42]

That is correct, and a q tip.

Thanks, and while i have your attention, whats the best way to apply it? I originally did like a pea-sized dot and spread it evenly over the CPU. I'm hearing that just using a dot and putting the heatsink on that without spreading it around is better? What way should i do it?

 

[darth pravus]

A small amount on the CPU and using the pressure of putting on the heatsink to spread it or a line down the center.

 

[darth pravus]

Less is more when it comes to thermal paste though remember

 

[mgx42]

A small amount on the CPU and using the pressure of putting on the heatsink to spread it or a line down the center.

Thanks for your help

 

[mgx42]

Best answer selected by mgx42.

 

[mgx42]

Thank you all for the help you've given me. I selected the answer that best fit the original post, other than that many of you had some great enlightening info so I thank you for that.