Stock heatsink film OR remove & use arctic silver?

[Woodcycl]

I have read two opposing recommendations from two different magazines (Maximum PC & PC World) in regard to whether or not to remove the black film from the heatsink and use a high-quality thermal paste. One says to "definitely" remove the stock film, and apply good thermal paste. And, the other says to "never" remove the stock film from the heatsink.

Last August when I built my first custom system, I had only read the article that recommended the removal of the stock film and use of arctic silver. So, that is what I did with my new custom-built system. And, it has run fine since that time. And, it is one heck of a system too !!

Now, I've obtained most of the same items to build my Father and his wife a computer for Christmas. And, of course, ran across the other article opposing the removal of the stock film.

Well -- I have everything ready and laying on my table in regard to building this PC. But, as soon as I opened up the P4 2.4 processor ..... I remembered this issue.

Can you all chime in and let me know your thoughts? I know there may be the same 2 schools of thought ... guess I'll have to count them ... and go w/ the majority.

[Bovon]

I can't imagine what you may be talking about...a "black film"...unless it is the anodyzed finish that all aluminum products are coated with after the product is finished. If this is what you are talking about then...yes...do remove it. Engineering heat sink manuals instruct the aluminum heatsink user to clean off any of the anodyzed finish prior to attaching a soled state device because the finish impeeds heat transfer.

Mos all of our cpu heatsinks come a bit distorted...either warped or concave. If we will take the time to lap these things smooth and flat, apply a small amount of thermal heat sink compound (like Artic Silver) the aluminum heatsink will perform much better.

Many heat sinks are shipped with a thermal pad attached to the sink bottom. I have not used one with the pad, but those that have used the pad, report much better cooling when the pad is removed and Artic Silver used instead.

[chubtub]

Unless you plan to overclock the thing or it is aready having heat issues I would leave the film on. Most stock heat sinks can handle the loads that they are put under assuming it is made for that Mhz cpu and chipset.

If however you are like me you have to have the best even though it may never really matter. In that case take off the film. The problem here is that you have to get all of the film off the heat sink and then some.
Tends to be alot of work, but the thermal paste does work better.

[Woodcycl]

Thanks Bovon. Yes, I believe the term I was using "film" is the black heatsink thermal "pad". The correct terminology was missing from my mind when making the post. But, yes, this is a retail box P4 processor w/ heatsink & fan combo. And, this one as well as the last one I purchased includes the black thermal pad on the heatsink. This is the film I referred to. One magazine said to remove it ... and the other said not to. But, it sounds like you've heard that it cools better without the pad and w/ arctic silver. Thanks!

[chubtub]

Just in case.

http://www.articsilver.com/instructions.htm

[Woodcycl]

Another question -- about the thermal pad on the stock heatsink:

This one looks like a piece of aluminum foil w/ the black wax on top and underside of the foil. And, the foil is NOT adhered well to the heatsink at all. I don't remember the previous time installing a new P4 (it was a 2.26 533) the aluminum foil -- only the black wax thermal pad that I removed. Should I remove the entire pad this time -- the foil? I can't imagine leaving it on -- given that if you pull up the foil a little and peek underneath -- you see that the black wax thermal pad is underneath as well. This totally throws me !

[Grentarc]

if you are gonna remove the TIM, thengo all the way down to bare aluminium and if you really want the best performance, lap the HSF a little, just to make sure the pad has been properly removed.

[Sweeper]

Yeah the latest P4 Heatsinks come with this odd thermal pad with a foil underneath adheared to the HS. I found this odd to when I went to scrape it off. I removed mine, did the lap thing, and used AS3. Although I wasn't impressed with the AS3. Only dropped my temp about 1-2 degrees after about 300 hours of non stop running. Even applied it down to the exact instructions on the AS site. Just didn't impress me. Went back to the good ole Thermal Grease.

[omega31]

Your 2 opposing recommendations come from 2 magazines with vastly different audiences. Maximum PC is geared toward enthusiasts. PC World is aimed at mainstream.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

I always use paste, lower heat = longer chip life + better overclocking

--Jakk