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Started by ubercake | | 18 answers
Are RAM heatsinks simply about aesthetics?
I was thinking about how all RAM manufacturers have a value line with just the green PCB and chips versus the performance lines with elaborate heatsinks of various design.
If you're not overclocking your RAM, is the heatsink even necessary or can it be removed without issue? Has anyone tried this?
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a b } Memory
July 28, 2014 1:26:54 AM

Hmmm ok could not get anything LESS out of it, but to be fair its not a very scientific test.

Trying to get a thermometer, will report back if I manage to get one.
:) 
a b } Memory
July 26, 2014 1:54:25 AM

Right so removed one of my chips, there is definitely some sort of clear adhesive that leaves very little residue.
Was quite a mission to remove it actually.

Ended up loosening the heatspreader by wiggling it outwards(more pressure than I was comfortable with to be honest) from the chip until it seemed to be free on both sides, I then slid the heatspreader along the chip length.

I will do some tests on the chip today.
a c 2286 } Memory
July 25, 2014 5:21:28 PM

The heat spreaders do dissipate heat and yes can check with a IR themometer...Above is mentioned the Tridents - the instructions they give on those is simply for the upper fin (a small screw on either side of the fin and it slides off (the fin is only good for a degree or so), but yes removing the heatsink generally voids the warranty and they do help though normally in the higher performance sets 1866 and up or lower freqs with tight timings
a b } Memory
July 25, 2014 8:13:44 AM

Karsten75 said:
Novuake said:
ubercake said:

That's what I was thinking. There's some kind of adhesive on some modules holding the heatspreader on.


I know for a fact that Kingston Blu and some of their other versions with Heatspreaders are simple to remove(no adhesive or anything like that), not sure about Corsair or G.Skill though. I will check my Corsair's at least.


I think removing a heatspreader like that is almost the same territory as delidding your CPU - only do it if you don't care about the warranty and if you can afford to replace the component if things don't work out well.



The thing is RAM is/was sold without heat spreaders. Not until the last 5-10 years was it a common thing to see a heatspreader on the modules.
a b } Memory
July 25, 2014 7:40:35 AM

Karsten75 said:

I think removing a heatspreader like that is almost the same territory as delidding your CPU - only do it if you don't care about the warranty and if you can afford to replace the component if things don't work out well.



I agree with you, only remove them if you are willing to void the warranty. Does not bother me though, since RAM is relatively cheap.
a b } Memory
July 25, 2014 6:46:03 AM

Novuake said:
ubercake said:

That's what I was thinking. There's some kind of adhesive on some modules holding the heatspreader on.


I know for a fact that Kingston Blu and some of their other versions with Heatspreaders are simple to remove(no adhesive or anything like that), not sure about Corsair or G.Skill though. I will check my Corsair's at least.




I think removing a heatspreader like that is almost the same territory as delidding your CPU - only do it if you don't care about the warranty and if you can afford to replace the component if things don't work out well.

a b } Memory
July 25, 2014 6:44:14 AM

Novuake said:
Hey Ubercake, odd to see a mod ask questions.

Let me try it tonight just to confirm, but pretty sure its not worth anything unless you do some serious overclocking.


I don't think there's anything in a mod's job description about being all-knowing. :) 

a b } Memory
July 25, 2014 6:27:13 AM

ubercake said:

That's what I was thinking. There's some kind of adhesive on some modules holding the heatspreader on.


I know for a fact that Kingston Blu and some of their other versions with Heatspreaders are simple to remove(no adhesive or anything like that), not sure about Corsair or G.Skill though. I will check my Corsair's at least.
July 25, 2014 6:24:47 AM

I know the RAM I have from GSkill has instructions on how to remove the heatspreader. The kit I have is the TridentX 2400 2X8GB.

For the most part DDR3 doesn't get hot. Unless you push higher VDIMM at them while overclocking.

I'm sure you've seen plenty of aftermarket GPU cooler reviews that have shown that putting the RAM heatsinks on or leaving them off made no difference in temperature or overclocking.
a b } Memory
July 25, 2014 6:19:23 AM

Novuake said:
Unfortunately I have no way of physically testing the temps. (Onus was sending me a IR thermometer since they are impossible to get in South Africa, but thanks to insane import cost, it never arrived).

But I will think of some way to test it. :)  Maybe OC it a bit to the limit and see if it crashes lower than it usually does. Dono yet, ideas welcome.

By the way, just a thought, these heatspreaders are pretty snug to the PCB, so not sure if everyone will be capable of removing them safely.


That's what I was thinking. There's some kind of adhesive on some modules holding the heatspreader on.

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