just dropped my idle temp by...

[rob123]

3-4 deg C by putting on fresh MX-2. my question has to do with what asus put on the card in the first place. ( asus 8800gt 512).

the thermal compound they had there was nearly hard as a rock. it was a real b!@ch to get off. i believe mx-2 was the right thing to do but what on earth was that stuff they used in the first place.

under the voltage regulator they used thermal tape. going to be real fun when that accelero gets here.

thx

rob123

[sswilson]

Generally manufacturers use some form of ceramic when assembling. The improvements in temps usually comes from both the fact that you're using a better TIM, and the fact that you're paying attention to what you're doing instead of assembly line application.

[Boldeagle]

Well stated, often their just using whatever they can get cheaply and in bulk so they aren't overly discerning about the quality of the product, save 20 cents per card and that adds up.

[rob123]

non- conductive. the little plunger got stuck and let loose all of a sudden. enough for a dozen or so video cards came out. real time getting it off of all those little parts around the gpu itself.

one odd thing. the gpu had a mirror finish. but the bottom of the asus glaciator heat sink didnt, the screws that hold the heatsink on have springs on them so i am not even sure if it is level.

all will be moot once the accelero gets here. seems to have glowing reviews all around. especially when combined with the fan kit.

thx for your time

rob123

[Infiniti]

When I took apart my 8800GTX, the pads were stuck onto the heatsink, not the RAM chips. Also, the pads were pretty easy to take off, I just had to take a toothpick and scrape it off. Usually, it just took me one scrape and the whole pad would come off. I'm not sure why people are saying its so hard to clean/take off, but maybe my card was made differently.

[Supergrover]

Originally Posted by Infiniti

When I took apart my 8800GTX, the pads were stuck onto the heatsink, not the RAM chips. Also, the pads were pretty easy to take off, I just had to take a toothpick and scrape it off. Usually, it just took me one scrape and the whole pad would come off. I'm not sure why people are saying its so hard to clean/take off, but maybe my card was made differently.

Same with my Evga 8800gt SC the thermal pads were stuck to the heatsink not the card.
Rob make sure the Ram chips are good and clean before you install the sinks, use a eraser and alcohol.

Have fun it is 1 amazing air cooler IMO.

[rob123]

ncix price matched the Arctic Silver ArctiClean for $2.78

i got their thermal adhesive just in case.

will drop a note when i get it and it is installed.

thx

rob123

[Jmac]

Originally Posted by Boldeagle

Well stated, often their just using whatever they can get cheaply and in bulk so they aren't overly discerning about the quality of the product, save 20 cents per card and that adds up.

Especially when you make about 300,000 cards/month like Asus does ...

Saving $0.20/card = $60,000/month

[no_pulse]

Originally Posted by rob123

ncix price matched the Arctic Silver ArctiClean for $2.78

rob123

Artic Silver ArctiClean is an awesome product. Works great!

[bojangles]

Yea the cleaning product is actually pretty good. I think I'll try iso alc next time though just see what happens.

Ever notice the cleaning stuff has a lemony smell to it (in reference to ArctiClean)?