Shims: who makes the best

[skybolt_1]

I am seriously considering getting one of the new Thermaltake Dragon 3 Orb coolers for my T-Bird, however, I have held off because I have heard that the weight of those things is insane, and that only a fool would mount one without a shim. Problem is, I've also heard that some so-called "non-conductive" shims actually prove themselves to be conductive. Right now, I think that I have boiled down the available shims to two that I think look quite good. They are the Tweakmonster Purple Shim, which can be found at www.tweakmonster.com/products/spacerpage.htm
and the shims offered by crazyPC which are here:
www.crazypc.com/products/accessories/accessories.htm#shims

Which are better? I have heard good things about both, and personally i think that the tweakmonster does a great job of staying the hell away from anything on the processor that could theoretically be electrified, while the CrazyPC offerings tend to be more proc-specific. Any input, thoughts, ideas? Thanks.

skybolt_1

[Bovon]

The following is the only non conductive shim:

http://www.crazypc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=120199&Product_Code=4019

Some of the blue colored, anodized aluminum shims have managed to short out the bridges on a cpu...but, this purple job looks like it may never get close enough to the bridges.

I got the grey non conductive one from CrazyPC, and its a good shim. All you need is something to help keep the heat sink flat and level while installing or removing it so that it dosn't crush the core edge or corner.

Personally, I don't care for any of the orb type coolers for a cpu sink. TT Orbs have killed more AMD cpus that all the rest put together...but of course, thats your choice. I don't know how good they are doing now, but a few months ago...about January I think...one reviewer that reviewed several new types said the TT Orb.."only looked cool"...he didn't like it at all...

You want to be dam sure to check it to be sure it is flat on the bottom...I have read where several guys had to lap the devil out of theirs to get them flat.