Don't laugh please...

[kmike75]

After reading threads about 2.8 GHz systems, nitrogen cooling, and other wild stuff, I feel pretty stupid asking this question. After building 14 Socket 7 systems, today I'm building my first Athlon. I'm using a Thunderbird Socket A processor on an Abit Kt7 board.
The question I have is in regard to cooling. I was sent a Coolmaster socket A fan and heatsink. Something looks odd though, the bottom of the heat sink is smooth, but the top of the processor is not. I'm scared to death to snap things together an fire it up because I don't want to cook the processor. I've never seen a processor before that wasn't smooth on the top. Do I need another type of special heatsink/fan??? Please humor me...

thanks,
kevin

 

[BurntKooshie]

what do you mean "not smooth"? Are you referring to the fact that the core is actually exposed? (Unlike S7 chips, where there was a heat spreader covering the core, which also made the application of a heatsink much easier)

If so, just put some grease on it, and take it nice 'n easy when putting the heatsink on, making sure not to rock the heatsink while putting it on (you CAN crack the die, which renders it non-functional).

G'luck

If you're really afraid of snapping it, check out SystemLogics little dittie on it (I'm biased because I write there )

Another cool link is here

 

[desoca]

Hi Kevin,

I recommend you doubly sure that this heat sink/fan is designed for the Socket A - 462 pin processor.

It should say so on the box. You are right - you can't afford to make cooling mistakes with Athlon/Duron processors - they cook extremely quickly.

You may even want to get a cooler that is a bit higher than average grade.

Cheers.

 

[pillage2001]

Processor thay isin't smooth on top? I think you have a bad chip bro.

 

[nitrousninja]

Are you talking about the cpu being raised off the die? Ther are four rubber dividers that make up for that. Just make sure you use good thermal grease. I use Arctic Silver. arcticsilver.com If the HSF is made for a socket A Athlon then you can sue them if it breaks ;-)

 

[Noriaki]

Check out the AMD System config page and you'll see they have a heatsink installation guide.

The non-flat top of the CPU is normal for any new CPUs, it's call Flip-Chip, it allows direct contact between the CPU and Heatsink, it's much better for cooling. The CPU itself is alot smaller than the socket outline, you only need that much space because of the number of pins required.

There should be 4 little pads in the corner of the chip that balance the heatsink.

 

[kmike75]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies. Yes, the processor does have 4 rubber tabs ( one in each corner ). I almost removed them, thank goodness I didn't. The core is exposed I guess. looking at the top of the CPU there is a small square ( roughly 3/8" X 1/4" in size ) that sticks out of the die. This seems real weird. The fan/heatsink came from a local computer store, where they said it was for a Thunderbird. I'm not so sure about this now. Any ideas on a good fan to use? Do I leave the rubber tabs on the die? Man I don't wanna cook this sucker... Thanks sooo much for your help here!


regards,
kevin

 

[shawnmos]

yes, you must leave the rubber things on! the heatsink you have should work fine.

EDIT: the thunderbird is an athlon.

 

[nitrousninja]

The little rectangle is the actual CPU and it is normal to look like that. You can dry fit before you put it on the mobo without clamping it. You'll see that it should fit(if it is designed for the Socket A) Make sure you use thermal grease between the die(rectangle) and the HSF but don't use a lot of it. Just enough to cover the rectangle. Check tweak3d.com somewhere there should be a guide for this. Good luck!!!!

 

[kmike75]

Thanks a million folks!!!

kevin

 

[crazychicken]

you will notice the 4 rubber pads are the same level as the core, you should just spread some artic silver on it and apply gently, everyone does it same way, there is not magic trick

david