I just ordered the Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Heatsink/Fa

[couvier]

I just ordered the Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu Heatsink/Fan and should be here in a few days, to go on my P4C800-E Deluxe MB, with P4 3.2 GHz (Northwood) processor. My main reason, is for a quieter fan, since mine right now is really loud.

My questions include:

Do i remove the old thermal paste on the CPU from the old heatsink? And if so, how do i do that?

How do i properly put the thermal paste on the CPU when i get this new heatsink/fan? My guess is you put a thin even layer all across the top of the CPU. Is that right? How do spread it on, with your fingers? or something else?

Also, any more personal experience with it or suggestions on this heatsink/fan would be really nice, thanks!

 

[Mr5oh]

Yes you will need to remove the old thermal paste from the CPU. You can wipe it off several times with a clean paper towel. Rubbing Alcohol will also take it off, just make sure the chip is clean, and you don't leave any paste on it, that could be touching different contacts on the chip (Some pastes can conduct electricity possibly shorting things).

Technically you don't have to spread the paste. You can do it one of two ways, spreading the paste is probably best though. Use the edge of a credit card to spread it. The other option is to put a drop about the size of a BB in the center, it will spread out once the heatsink is applied. However this does not garuntee that the paste will get everywhere, that is why spreading the paste is preferred.

Check out this link for step by step instructions, with pictures:

<A HREF="http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm" target="_new">http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm</A>

My Desktop: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html</A>
Overclocking Results: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html</A>

 

[couvier]

Hey thanks! I have another question, My heatsink/fan i have on right now is the retail heatsink/fan that came with the Pentium 4, i left the thermal pad on it, and i see now that it's like all melted on the CPU. How do i properly get rid of that stuff so i can use the thermal paste once my new heatsink/fan comes?

Also acording to that site, it says this..

"If your heatsink has a thermal 'pad' mounted on it, this pad must be removed before using Arctic Silver thermal compound. Thermal pads are made with paraffin wax that melts once it gets hot. When it melts, it will fill in the microscopic valleys in the heatsink with wax. To minimize the permanent contamination of the mounting surface with wax, the thermal pad should be removed before it is used and melted. Never use heat or hot water to remove the pad, the heat will melt the wax into the heatsink."

It does'nt say any where how to get rid of the wax on the CPU once it's melted.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by couvier on 08/15/04 11:12 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Mr5oh]

I have never really had a problem cleaning off the thermal pad. Normally I just wipe it off really good with a paper towel. In fact you can normally wipe the thermal pad off of the heatsink with a paper towel as well. Just clean the CPU off as good as you can, and you shouldn't have any problems. And remember that you would be best to re apply thermal paste when ever you pull the heatsink, it normally doesn't work to good if you try and re-use the thermal paste.

Just do your best, a litte bit of wax in the microscopic valleys isn't going to make your processor overheat.

My Desktop: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc.html</A>
Overclocking Results: <A HREF="http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html" target="_new">http://Mr5oh.tripod.com/pc2.html</A>

 

[Cybercraig]

The stock 3.2C Copper bottom heatsink is a very good one. If you lap it good and use good thermal grease you can cut 5C off of your idle temps. However, it is loud and I replaced mine with the Zalman on a bet. There is no difference in temps, but the Zalman is quieter even running at max because of the larger fan.

Abit IS7 - 2.8C @ 3.4ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

 

[lb19984]

isopropyl alcohol 70% or mre after the paper towel

System Spec:
Asus P4c800-E
3.2e @3.8ghz
2X512 corsair xms pro 2-2-2-5
all in wonder 9800 pro
74gb raptor
audigy 2zs
klipsch ultra

 

[david_c]

I'm tempted to order this fan too, but does anyone know if there are known issues mounting it on an Athlon64 3500+ on a MSI K8N Platinum motherboard?