Koolance CPU Waterblock Install - Part 4: Coat and Socket CPU (Arctic Silver 5 on i7-980X)

[Arwiiss]

This is THE WORST method to apply thermal paste on your CPU. Search youtube ''How Thermal Compound Spreads'' to see how much air pockets this method create. Air pockets means that heat conductivity is severely dampened.

[UberKrassMann]

haha with those mushkin redline ram and obsidian case that pc looks an awful lot like mine^^

[BIGBOE133]

dude these are the best videos ever and im just wondering, why dont u just lap ur cpu andheatsink then u dont have to worry about thermal compund

[latropimax]

Thanks a lot!!

[alextex27]

best one

[illkillyoubitch]

Too much dude... it could be used metal on metal but because of the microscopic valleys it doesn't create the best even heat transfer. It only needs the thinnest layer to plug up the tiny little gaps. It's best to look up the official instructions (by the professionals) for your processor. (which would be the line method to line up with the actual cores.) Search: How thermal paste spreads if you don't believe us when we say this. That's 2 to 3 times more than enough.

[TheFlawlessly]

Thank you so much!

Excellent video, finally I feel better on installing my i7 950!

[Dinamitium]

Estupid tecnic!!!

[bustkill]

why get the the cpu out in the first place?! let it in there, do the extra work and get the mobo outa there!

Laziness doesn't pay off.

[hro112]

dang, i got fingerprints on my waterblock, no wonder its been running at 50 c at stock clock, :(, time to reapply again, thx dude, now i know why my cpu is so hot

[kerbewinne]

The Koolance ERM-2K3UCU (3U) Rev1.1 control board has 3 temperature-probe leads that are supposed to be inserted between the block and the periphery of the CPU (not the CPU face itself). Koolance has few instructions. Have you dealt with these probes before?

Also trying Shin-Etsu MicroSI X23-7783D compound. Any experience with this?

BTW, for the question on how to clean the CPU, I've used with good results ArctiClean 1 & 2 (Thermal Material Remover and Thermal Surface Purifier).

[Trubyd44]

@kerbewinne Yeah, I only use one of the thermal connections and I use the water temperature sensor. The sensors that you can place on the CPU I don't recommend because placement and case temperature are such big variables in how the temperature reads that I don't feel it give you any REAL information. Coolant temperature along with a program like RealTempGT is the way to go. Hope this helps.

[kerbewinne]

By "Coolant temperature along with a program like RealTempGT," do you mean using an in-line temperarure-measurement device you showed in an earlier video?

I contacted Koolance tech support and they said just attach the 3 probes to the outside bevel of the 360 with the copper tape provided. BTW, I got this Koolance ERM unit based on youir earlier videos, and believe it's a good way way to go for water cooling if space in the case is cramped. Thanks for your instruction.

[Trubyd44]

@kerbewinne Yes inline temp sensor. Yeah, I wouldn't install the probes with the copper tape...doesn't tell you much IMHO.

[wonka088]

WAYYYY TOO MUCH compound

[Trubyd44]

@wonka088 I don't necesarily disagree with you, although that is how I did it for years and had good results. I am now using IC Diamond which uses the 'drop' pea method. Thanks for your comment.

[criccio]

@wonka088 I'm cringing watching him apply that! To much and it acts like an insulator, not a conductor.

[Trubyd44]

@criccio Cringe away! LOL!

[sponge12349]

Can you please make a video showing how to take off the thermal compound off, thanks

[Trubyd44]

@sponge12349 It may be a while before I get to this. In the future, I may begin to do shorter videos on quick things like that.

[sponge12349]

thats too much :/

[Blitzkrieg1981]

I use the spread method like the video and from the line method saw minus1-2c changes at idle, but I spread as thinly as possible and only use about 2 grains worth of AS5 (much much much less than the video). It's been almost a year now and the temps are still consistent. I also put the heatsink on as evenly as possible and then rotate it in a clockwise to counter clockwise motion to get rid of any bubbles.

[Trubyd44]

@Blitzkrieg1981 Yeah, that sounds like a very good method. I have now moved to IC Diamond which just requires a pea size dot in the middle ---AND DOES IT EVER WORK BEAUTIFULLY!

[vearheart42]

Truby have you seen the video called "How Thermal Compound Spreads?"

I believe its watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

[Trubyd44]

@vearheart42 Yes. I have since tried the 'line method' after this video and I have seen no difference in temperature from the spread method or the line method. I will probably do the line method in the future because it uses less thermal paste and is easier. There is not performance difference from my experiment though.

[vearheart42]

@Trubyd44 I guess so, I myself never really tested it cause of the fact that the differences are minute really. I just kinda cringe when I see people spread their paste after seeing that video. . . .

[Trubyd44]

@vearheart42 I've used the spread method for years with what I consider good results. Oh well, I'm inclined to agree with you.

[pyromaniac171]

well its not the best thing to use because your health insurance company with be getting mixed signals from what you used the card for

[EliteSoldier112]

Hmm I always thought spreading was the best method of applying thermal paste but now I'm hearing a lot about this "putting a small dab" in the middle of CPU being optimal. It has something to do with reducing the chance of air bubbles where spreading actually causes some air bubbles to be made whereas putting some in the middle won't because the waterblock will press done evenly in the middle spreading it throughout without creating any air bubbles. Hey Truby have you tried both ways??

[Trubyd44]

@EliteSoldier112 I have always done the spreading method. WHAT IS FUNNY, IS TODAY I DID THE VERTICAL LINE METHOD. TODAY!!! I am using what the arctic silver 5 website recommends for spreading. A vertical line method for Core i7 Extreme CPUs. So far, I don't see any huge gain or huge deficit from that method. I will give it time to cure and give you my results. Thx!

[EliteSoldier112]

@Trubyd44 Hmm... Been reading up about different spreading methods. Here's an interesting one... (Don't try it, well I won't). Step 1 - Spread thermal paste evenly across CPU. Step 2 - Turn computer on without CPU heatsink for 5-10 seconds. Step 3 - Quickly apply pressure with the heatsink and tighten accordingly. LOL I had a laugh with this one. This one focuses on minimizing air bubbles as much as possible.

[Trubyd44]

@EliteSoldier112 I actually am testing the vertical line method right now...following people's suggestions. So far I don't see any real gain, but I'm trying to get through the 200hr cure thing. I will let you know though. I have actually started a CPU without a block on it...just to see if it posted, hind sight tells me it was a bad idea. :)

[EliteSoldier112]

@Trubyd44 200hr curing?? What TIM are you using? SHIN-ETSU X23-7783D needs only 4 hours to FULLY cure. It's even better than IC Diamond! The price ain't to bad either. It has a pretty high viscosity so you'll be limited in what way you can apply the paste.

[Trubyd44]

@EliteSoldier112 Arctic Silver 5

[solidsnake1678]

Isn't Arctic MX-3, Arctic cooling's best thermal paste, though I do like how arctic silver 5 spreads easily

[Nadrealis]

On the arctic silver 5 website it says explicitly not to spread the paste in this manner, it WILL create air bubbles and air is infamous for trapping heat. I repeat DO NOT SPREAD YOUR ARCTIC SILVER 5 LIKE THIS. THe best thing to do is put a dab the size of a grain of uncooked rice in the middle of the CPU and drop the heatsink/waterblock on top. It will spread itself and you only need a dab in the middle because it just needs to be on top of the actual processor.

[Trubyd44]

@Nadrealis Hmm, I've personally tried both methods and have taken readings. I found it better to do it this way AS LONG as you tighten the waterblock down further over the next few days to eliminate air bubbles. Now, when I tested this was a couple of years ago...I haven't had any problems since. I'll go check AS5's website out.

[Nadrealis]

@Trubyd44 To each his own, on the site it says that since the actual processor is in the middle of the CPU chip, it's pointless to spread the AS5 over the entire CPU chip, along with the fact that it will create air bubbles. The best methods I've seen are the line and the dab. I don't wanna see your $1,000.00 980x processor blow up, I'd cry.

[Trubyd44]

@Nadrealis I think you make a good point as someone else did. I can see how air bubbles is bad. But, I believe that eventhough the processor is in the middle of the heatspreader that everything is in so close proximity, that the more contact that you have from the heatspreader to the waterblock, the better. I've touched a processor without a heatsink on it and it was untouchable over the entire heatspreader.

[Trubyd44]

@Nadrealis I may re-test this...after my current processor cures and I take readings, I will redo the socketing using the dab method and comparre. Good comment! (Don't worry about my 980X, I've had three of them already with no problems, I've had an i7-965 and i7-975 with no problems, not to mention older and hotter QX9650 all using the same coating method I used here without issues. There may be better ways, but this way isn't wrong. Again, good comment!

[j7x54]

there is a video on youtube that shows spreading the paste vs just daps of it showing the daps have alot less air bubbles.

[Trubyd44]

@j7x54 Hmm...interesting. How did they prove this? I'll try and find it. Nice avatar by the way!

[j7x54]

@Trubyd44 i found the video check out Yaochoon's video on How Thermal Compound Spreads.

[Trubyd44]

@j7x54 I watched it and it's very interesting. The arctic silver compound doesn't appear to spread out as well.

[Alwyn1000]

@Trubyd44 here it is trubyd44 :/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4(

[Alwyn1000]

@Trubyd44 this one(youtube) .com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

[Trubyd44]

@j7x54 hehe, that's funny. I tried looking for the video you were talking about and the first two I looked at said to spread it evenly over the cpu heatspreader. :) Can you link the video you were talking about? (I think there are several valid ways, I guess it what one has previously used and 'think' they got good results with) I'm no different. Thx for your comment. If we could find something definitive, that would be cool!

[WaaHaaaa]

great tips to put on thermal paste. great video man :)

[Trubyd44]

@WaaHaaaa Thx!

[KapteinFruit]

@Trubyd44 There you see that I know a little bit about PC stuff ;) :P

[MarshMellowChronic]

my dads been building for years and he says the heat from the cpu only comes from the centre thats why he puts a blob in the middle, im not saying your doing it wrong but you could try that next time maybe :)

[Trubyd44]

@MarshMellowChronic Your Dad is correct! ...my thinking on it is that everything is in such close proximity, that having a small amount of thermal paste everywhere on the heatspreader cuts down on air gaps and transfers more heat. If you or your dad has ever touched a cpu without a heatsink, I have...ouch!, it's HOT everywhere on the heatspreader, although I do agree the hottest portion is from the middle.

[KapteinFruit]

The 980X looks big. Much bigger than my X3 720. And you started off with a lot of thermal paste! No wonder you was unsure if what you gave me would be enough! LOL! I put on a little pea sized dot on the middle and then even it out. ;) And you should always use as little thermal paste as possible if you use too much it will get hotter than with a very thin even layer. But nice video. You could call these videos as walk throughs.

[Trubyd44]

@KapteinFruit In my opinion, having a little more than necessary is better than too little. Again, we're talking about bug dust here.

[KapteinFruit]

@Trubyd44 I told your friend that he sucks since he said first. :P

But, yeah, it doesn't have much to say and a little bit more is better then too little. And one fact is that it doesn't matter if you have much on the sides because the cores is in the middle so there is where it's important to have the correct amount of thermal paste. But it usually does so you have the right amount by it's self because the CPU is curved and the cooler is not there for it applies more pressure on the middle.

[Trubyd44]

@KapteinFruit CORRECT! Good Point! Thin is very good on the sides so you don't create an unecessary air gap in the middle. To combat this, I tighten the waterblock down each day for the next few days after install (Being careful of course). This helps spread some of the excess out and gets better contact in the middle.  Good Comment!

[shadow76432]

FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dacooter]

@shadow76432  does it matter?

[shadow76432]

@dacooter I guess it doesn't matter, ur right...

[KapteinFruit]

@shadow76432 You suck.

[Trubyd44]

@shadow76432 Hey, you're back. Good job!

[shadow76432]

@Trubyd44 Thanks, I really enjoy watching these videos :). Although I don't have enough money atm for a i7 980x Dual 5970 build like you, these videos have really encouraged me to build a water-cooled system of my own :D. Thanks for these.

[Trubyd44]

@shadow76432 Thx! I'm glad these are helping you. I went from air cooling to watercooling to Phase change cooling back to watercooling.