Simple Athlon XP [Retail] question...

[Zim Hosein]

Here goes my stupid Athlon XP [Retail] question, I plan on upgrading my rig in a few days and I'm wondering, I know "retail" CPU's come w/ the heatsink and fan installed, but do I need one of those "shims" I see everywhere to hook up to my motherboard, or do they just go in like the old ZIF Intel chips like the socket 7 boards? Thanks for your time.

 

[Swanny]

You don't need a shim. The heatsink attaches just like the old socket 7s. Only the higher end heatsinks attach with screws.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Thanks Swanny

Ummm..why does the shim exist in the first place then

 

[CloroxCowboy]

To help prevent a cracked core.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: CloroxCowboy
To help prevent a cracked core.

During installation, or from everyday use? Thanks CloroxCowboy

 

[Jeff7]

During installation. Early shims seemed to have problems in terms of thickness - to thick, and it would actualy hurt cooling capability.
Shims themselves don't affect cooling though; they're just to keep you from crushing or chipping the core during installation.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
During installation. Early shims seemed to have problems in terms of thickness - to thick, and it would actualy hurt cooling capability.
Shims themselves don't affect cooling though; they're just to keep you from crushing or chipping the core during installation.

Maybe this is where I'm thinking the wrong thing, the shim goes between the processor and the HS, right? Thanks for your response Jeff7.

 

[CubicZirconia]

the shim goes between the processor and the HS, right?

Thats correct.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia

the shim goes between the processor and the HS, right?

Thats correct.

Cool, thanks CZ, since I'm purchasing a retail CPU, I won't have to worry about cracking the core

Thanks to everyone who helpme me out, much appreciated

 

[Kingofcomputer]

you need titanium shim!!!

 

[Jeff7]

Maybe this is where I'm thinking the wrong thing, the shim goes between the processor and the HS, right? Thanks for your response Jeff7.

Yeah, pretty much. Just make sure the shim isn't on top of any of the small components on top of the processor itself; and try to get an anodized one. Those aren't conductive, which is definitely good. Bestbyte.net has them for a good price with ok shipping.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Maybe this is where I'm thinking the wrong thing, the shim goes between the processor and the HS, right? Thanks for your response Jeff7.

Yeah, pretty much. Just make sure the shim isn't on top of any of the small components on top of the processor itself; and try to get an anodized one. Those aren't conductive, which is definitely good. Bestbyte.net has them for a good price with ok shipping.

Since I plan on buying a retail CPU, I shouldn't have to worry about this unless I decide to overclock the CPU and need to install a more efficient h/s and fan right Jeff7 Again, thanks for your time

 

[JediJeb]

A [Retail] Processor comes with a heatsink, but you still have to install it just like any of the high performance heatsinks. If you are worried about cracking the core then look in to getting a shim, but if you are careful you can install the heatsink without it, but be sure to use thermal paste, ( some will come with the heatsink but there are better ones on the market like Arctic Silver II ).

 

[Zap]

Besides helping during installation, I believe that the shims are also helpful for those who transport their machines often (LAN parties, anyone?) and have a heavy HSF. For retail box HSF, if you don't ever plan to remove it and if you aren't planning to overclock, just pull off the paper liner (leaving the waxy pad) and install using a slotted screwdriver. The paper liner must go, but the pad helps cushin the core a bit as well as helping heat transfer (in-between no compound at all and any compound).

 

[Zim Hosein]

A [Retail] Processor comes with a heatsink, but you still have to install it just like any of the high performance heatsinks. If you are worried about cracking the core then look in to getting a shim, but if you are careful you can install the heatsink without it, but be sure to use thermal paste, ( some will come with the heatsink but there are better ones on the market like Arctic Silver II ).

Are you sure about that JediJeb, the last two retail processors I purchased already had the heatsinks installed [one one an AMD chip and the other was an Intel chip.]

Besides helping during installation, I believe that the shims are also helpful for those who transport their machines often (LAN parties, anyone?) and have a heavy HSF. For retail box HSF, if you don't ever plan to remove it and if you aren't planning to overclock, just pull off the paper liner (leaving the waxy pad) and install using a slotted screwdriver. The paper liner must go, but the pad helps cushin the core a bit as well as helping heat transfer (in-between no compound at all and any compound).

Zap, I don't move my mid-tower at all, unless I'm installing/upgrading parts. Thanks for the slotted screwdriver tip, should come in handy when I decide what I plan on buying

 

[ShyambaJuice]

Hey dude,

I bought a retail XP 1600+ a few months ago and the stock HSF (some coolermaster low-end piece of trash) was incredibly hard to install. I was scared I was going to crack the mobo... hahaha. Even my roommate had problems getting it off when I wanted to install the HCC-002 (copper coolermaster)... that was so much easier to install.

However, that was my first time putting on the HSF (the hard stock one) and although i was being really careless, I didn't do any damage to my chip. So don't worry about it. You don't need a shim.