Silicone Thermal Compound

[jamie_horwood]

Yes it's that Volcano 7+ again. Does anyone know what type of silicone compound is shipped with the thermaltake volcano 7+. Should i be best using it. I'm having a big descision making my mind up on this or buying artic silver. is there anything that is weaker than arctic silver 3 just in case my fan has to come off? is this a bad question because i know that once you put some compounds on you will damage the CPU taking it off. not that i literally want this to happen

[ReSpAwN DeMoN]

Ok....few things to get straight here first.

Number one I'm not sure about the volcano 7+ but I can only assume that generic tim comes with any HSF's. You'd be best with AS3 or Evergreen Thermagic I think its called. As of now I heard those are the industries best.

As for taking off the heatsink with compound already applied damaging CPU's. This is far from the truth. I've removed plenty of heatsinks with compound already on it. Cpu's condition? Just fine and dandy.

My opinion go get yourself some AS3 or Thermagic. AS3 is $6USD at newegg.com. You'd be much happier and its known to have like 2-3C degree difference.

[Mr. C]

Thermal compound isn't the easiest thing to remove, but some alcohol on a rag (or even better, an old toothbrush) and a bit of scrubbing should get it off.
You definitely need to use the TIM - but Arctic Silver's is definitely superior to most that is supplied with HSF's. If it's handy go get some - if not you can use the stuff supplied until you get a better grade. Just clean the old off and apply the new when you get it.

[ReSpAwN DeMoN]

Thermal Compounds enemy is the ol' trusty can of WD-40 just a little squirt on the end of a q-tip and bye bye thermal compound.

[Wiggo]

The Volcano 7+ is supplied with a small satchel of white paste but, yes as ReSpAwN DeMoN said, get yourself either some AS3 or Evergreen Thermagic as these are much better. ;)
<center>:cheers:</center>

[Darthtanion]

Originally Posted by ReSpAwN DeMoN

Thermal Compounds enemy is the ol' trusty can of WD-40 just a little squirt on the end of a q-tip and bye bye thermal compound.

Be very careful if you use this technique. You will want to make extra sure that you get all the WD-40 off when you clean it. Since WD-40 is oil based it tends to leave behind a coating that can inhibit the effectiveness of the TIM that you are going to put onto the processor. That's what makes either Isopropyl Alcohol or Acetone so good... they evaporate very quickly and leave next to no residuals behind. ;)

[ReSpAwN DeMoN]

uh oh. I didn't even relize that WD-40 is oil based. That's why they use it for squeeky gears and stuff like that. THAT IS NOT GOOD!! On the artic silver website they say the best removal item is WD-40. I never cleaned up after I just dried it off the core and the processor.

[FLaCo]

Its prolly a good clean for anything besides a PCB board or a processor for that matter. Its prolly good to remove it off a table, case or anything else with WD-40. I use alcohol...it removes pretty fast and the evaporation time of alcohol is almost instant.

[Darthtanion]

Maybe WD-40 followed up with Alcohol or Acetone? Sounds promising. :)

[tbertram]

Originally Posted by Darthtanion

Maybe WD-40 followed up with Alcohol or Acetone? Sounds promising. :)

I have used acetone in the past but made the packaging of the Athlon & Socket P3's a bit dull and sometimes a little gummy. For me rubbing alcohol with swabs do the trick quite nicely.