PCTech Forums

I'm building a PC for myself and.. I've never had problems when building PCs for other people (maybe its because I really don't want to screw mine up XD haha), but heres the issue:

I'm trying to install a heatsink, but I can only get one side in, the other side doesn't really reach and i'm kind of scared to push it too much because... I don't want to break the CPU core, if I haven't already XD

I don't remember it being difficult to install a heat sink.....am I supposed to put a lot of force on it?

Also, I usually leave the thermal pad that comes with the heatsink... but I also got some white gunky thermal paste. should I clean the pad off and use the paste instead?

Another thing... I'm using a copper shim because I read somewhere that it helps with the whole heatsink installation process thing. Is it really necessary to use it?


Coolermaster Heatsink + Fan (DP5-6131D-01)
AMD Athlon XP 2700+
Biostar M7NCD Mboard

I took some shoddy pics with my webcam:
Mboard + CPU:


Heatsink + Fan:

I have never hear of using a copper shim between the processor and the cpu.

That could definitly keep you from latching it down. The new boxed cpu's come with a thermal pad that is pretty good. It you want to go one step better, Artic Silver is a better
thermal paste, just remember to remove the thermal pad if you go that route

The fan should latch down with a force of less that 8lbs of pressure

The pics aren't bad for webcam pics..

OK....umm..copper shims are just about a standard thing now.It simply lays on top of the processor to allow a larger contact area for the heatsink,thus allowing the heat to evenly distrubute to the heatsink.Is also doubles as protection from damaging the core during heatsink installation.The pressure you apply while installing the heatsink wont be on just the cpu core,the shim will also receive some which makes it much safer.The clips on the heatsink should fit pretty tight,its not due to using a shim unless the shim itself is protruding higher than the cpu core (but it shouldnt be).

Thermal paste beats a thermal pad everytime.I would recommend using it.

No,its not necessary to use a shim,but there is enough of a benifit to justify using it.It serves the 2 purposes mentioned above,cooling and protection,protection being the best reason.

I didn't look at both pics, That shim looks like its a support templet for the heat sink fan--I haven't done an Athlon build in quite a while--I must be loosing my touch. I tip my hat to Liljim

One other thought, some of the heat sinks have a shoulder cut in on one side that "rests" on the cpu's plastic housing mount. If you manage to install it backwards, the fan will be high centered and only touching one side of the cpu. putting power to the board will be a one time event--a real smoker!

How do you apply the paste and how much should you use?

When I built my system with a AMD Athlon XP 3000+, I just grabbed a piece of paper towel, laid it down on the table beside my Motherboard. I cut open the thermal paste package, spreaded some "goop" out onto the paper towel, dabbed my finger in it and covered the CPU so that the entire CORE, adn ONLY the CORE of the CPU, was white. I had it so u could not see any of the core. Don't gob it on, just a nice thin layer that will completely cover it. I would recommend putting your finger in a Ziploc bag, so your skin oils don't damage the CPU, and it just goes on neater.