Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking.amd (
More info?)
I wonder if the thermal compound between your heat sink and cpu is
misapplied or misaligned?
If you are qualified to take the two apart and check and remove the current
compound and get some of the high quality stuff (like Arctic Silver), I
recommend doing so. Or... take to a local shop you trust and have them do
it. Should be a 15 min job.
Here are some instructions I found:
Removal Instructions (From Hardware)
1. Arctic Silver thermal compound can easily be removed from hardware
using the proper cleaners and tools. For general clean-up, a cloth or
paper towel will work well. Intricate cleaning can be accomplished
with Q-tip swabs. An old toothbrush can often get the compound out of
crevices that other tools cannot reach.
The recommended cleaners are:
CPU Core:
Use high-purity isopropyl alcohol, acetone or Akasa TIM-Clean and a
bit of careful rubbing.
Do not use nail polish remover as it contains fragrance oils and other
contaminants.
(If you use acetone, do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.)
Heatsink:
Use xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many
brake cleaners.), mineral spirits or Akasa TIM-Clean.
Remember:
Once you have applied a thermal grease or melted a thermal pad onto a
heatsink, it is impossible to remove all of the grease or pad from the
microscopic valleys in the heatsink using standard cleaning chemicals
and paper or fabric towels. Any subsequent thermal material will be
applied over the remnants of the original material.
Never use any oil or petroleum based cleaners (WD-40, citrus oil
based grease removers and many automotive degreasers) on the base of a
heatsink. The oil, which is engineered to not evaporate, will fill in
the microscopic valleys in the metal and significantly reduce the
effectiveness of any subsequently applied thermal compound. (Akasa
TIM-Clean contains cirtus terpines and is designed to leave minimum
residue.)
CPU Ceramic:
Use any of the following cleaners.
Any dish detergent (Dawn, Lux, Palmolive, Etc.)
Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher to clean a CPU.
WD-40, citrus based grease removers (Goo Gone, Etc.)
Xylene based products (Goof Off, some carburetor cleaners and many
brake cleaners.)
Akasa TIM-Clean
Mineral spirits. (Be careful to keep the mineral spirits away from
the core.)
Once the majority of the compound has been removed from the ceramic,
small patches remaining on the ceramic can be 'erased' with a soft
eraser.
2. If you use any of the suggested products to remove Arctic Silver
thermal compound from the CPU ceramic or heatsink base, always do a
final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue from the
cleaner.
Removal Instructions (From You)
1. Wash your hands with any dish washing detergent (Dawn, Lux,
Palmolive, Etc.) rather than hand soap.
(Do not use soap for an automatic dishwasher.)