PCA Forums

Ok, I've decided on the motherboard, hsf, and CPU to get. Here we go:

EPoX 8K7A+
AthlonXP 1600 (1.4)
SK-6 w/delta

Now, the motherboard has just been shipped from newegg.com and here in a couple days I'm gonna order the CPU and HSF (provided nobody replys in my FS post ) Now, what are some pitfalls and things I should stay away from when doing this? I've setup Socket-7 systems before, is it basically the same?

Now, I hear it's a good idea to apply thermal paste of some kind--this makes sense, I've always done that to Socket-7 systems. Now comes the question. I keep hearing Arctic Silver thermal paste. Is this just like, the best of the best here or does it really matter? I have a tube (or suringe I guess) of what is called "silver conductive grease" Will this work? I also have a packet of silicon compound--will either work just fine?

Also, is the only part that makes contact with the heatsink the raised part of the CPU that has the CPU's specs? If this is true, then should I just apply thermal compound to this area only? Anything else I should take into consideration? I hear you gotta be careful cause it's easy to chip the CPU so I'm definitly gonna go slow on getting the heatsink installed.

I hate soundin' so new but I am and I really can't afford to screw up. I would rather ask questions and look dumb than fry a CPU and look retarted

The delta sounds like a dive bomber. I'd suggest using the fan off a volcano II(nexus's idea).


You do put the compound on the raised cpu portion only, a thin layer. Follow the steps here for best results
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silv ... ctions.htm

AS II is the best out now but what you have should work just fine. Maybe a couple degrees higher at most. But DO apply compound, that is necessary. Whichever kind you use I suggest to use the instructions above.

A non-conductive shim is good for first timers so you won't chip the cpu. It is easy to do when using those heavy heatsinks and trying to get them on the mobo. Not sure about the sk6 but with most you can use a flathead screwdriver to control the clips on the mobo. Just go slow, and take it easy. Chipping the cpu is too easy to do.

As far as the setup it's all pretty much the same. Be sure any jumpers are set right before booting and first check the bios to be sure all settings are right. And again, take extra care when putting on that heatsink.

ASII ONLY goes on the core. I had a fun experience with my first home-made. I was pouring some on, and made the stupid mistake of trying to squirt it on directly. SPLAT ALLLL over the CPU... Scared the shit outta me!

I'd get a shim, it really helps your feel more secure, it did for me.

Don't use a shim, a proper HSF with proper mounting setup does not require a shim. The 4 small rubber feet in each corner help to align the bottom of a HSF and prevent a crushed die.

A shim that's not 100% correct in thickness might even prefent your HSF from touching the die

I have never used a shim and I never crushed a die ... but I have also never used "dangerous" HSF, I think the golden orb with it's twist-mount solution is famous for crushing CPUs.

Blade - I most likely won't keep the delta on there, it's just that newegg sells it with it so I figure if it really is as loud as people say it is, I'll swap it out with a quieter sunon fan I have. Thanks for the link, I'll check that out now.

Thank you for all your suggestions people. I'm pretty sure I know how to do it, but I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything I was missing. I'd hate to get all my parts and end up crushing the CPU.

As far as installing the hsf on the processor dont be freaked out about all the stories you hear. Yes, it does happen and Yes they are easy to screw up but use good common sense, pay attention to what you are doing and take your time and all will go well for you. Very much the same as a Socket 7 just alot more fragile. Keep us posted on how the build goes.....

I've ordered all my parts now. I have my Lian Li (from ncix.com), Athlon 1600, sk6 w/o fan, and some ArcticSilver II on the way. Most likely the CPU, heatsink, and ACII will be here in a couple weeks since thats about how long it took to get my motherboard to get to me from newegg.com.

After that, all I want to do is swap my two 15gig hard drives for two 30gig hard drives. I can always use the space But other than that, I won't be doin' much to my system. Now that I look back at it, I basically have replaced everything but my DVD-ROM, CD-Writer, and AIW Radeon

I'll be sure to post the progress cause I'm gonna be excited as hell when I get these parts. I've been stuck on a P-150 for about a month now with no music (I have ~1k of MP3's on my system that I constantly listen to) and it's drivin' me nuts! I'm gettin' itchy now cause I want me parts! :B

I think DocSilly is right, shims are more dangerous. Just do what the manufacturer says: Lay the
mobo flat (i.e. out of the case, on the bag it's boxed in) and don't stand on carpet...static=BAD.
No-one can know exactly what height your slug is on the processor. Mine's not the same height
on the four corners, but the pads make up for the slop. A shim could burn mine up.
Have fun with the new "toys" man.

Biggest thing is be carefull and use common sense..........dont get in a big rush. Check and double check everything.............



Jen

I agree that you probably wont need a shim. You sound pretty knowledgeable and like you know what you are doing. I have never cracked a CPU, and I have installed and uninstalled heatsinks many many times. I went from a FOP32 to a SK-6 to a 8045 with several different CPUs, and never cracked one. As long as be careful you wont crack it. And shims can in fact inhibit contact between he CPU and the heatsink.

Good luck on your new rig!

Thanks peeps My friend has more money than I do so he bought all his parts at once and he built a system similar to mine (he had an EPoX 8KHA and Volcano 6cu+ rather than 8k7a+/SK6) and I installed it the other day. Took my time. Tried putting hte heatsink on the motherboard without the processor first and I'm glad I did. WHen I put it on, it looked ok 'till I looked it at from an angle ano noticed I put it on "backwards" so that it wan't makin' any contact at all except at the far right hand corner (depends how you look at it I guess) DOH! Didn't even think about that raised part that the heatsink goes over. So after that, I took it off, applied some thermal goop on the core, put it in, put on the heatsink and was ready to go. Started up first time--I'm gettin' good at this shit

The CPU was surprisingly small and light. I guess I'm just used to the "heavy" socket-7 CPU's... ....so it's good I got to do my "test run" on my friends system. I feel totally confident in setting mine up now.

Great catch!

I got my own personal "lab rat" too. I give him all my shareware and 'other'ware to try
before I install. Probably why he's the Format King, huh?...he can format/reinstall while
sleeping. I guess it's only fair since he dropped that car on me.

Standard Disclaimer: No animals were harmed during the making of this system, just
slightly slapped around, electrocuted, and bruised occasionally...but not harmed.

you know.. going back to the shim thing Doc Silly...
i really do recommend a shim (from a respectable dealer and not selfmade and junk) for installation...
i've been reviewing a cooler... very nice cooler that's been reported to destroy the die if improper installation is performed...
i can't tell you how many times it saved my die while i got used to installation...
forget all the bull about the "help your cooling" ideas... it just best to get a good one to save your cpu

Delta isnt loud
Delta isn't loud
Delta isn't loud
W E L L N O T T O O L O U D A N Y W A Y


What do ya mean my ears are bleeding...no way!

Happy SK-6 owner hear............I said HEAR..not here!

hehe

DO it man...nice set up............when you have all the case fans its loud as hell anyway.......and if you lift your fan off the heatsink by a little bit (1/3 inch) on lifters of your own making it works better and is quieter!

a bit!

If you buy a HS with a good clipping mechanism ( no POS GlobalWin stuff) like an SK-6, you don't need a shim. Install the cpu and hs with fan attached before putting the mobo in the case.