HD4850 and thermal compound

moriz

moriz

??ber t??k-n??sh'??n

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

R/

if i were to remove the stock heat shroud and apply arctic silver 5, do i need to put some on the ram chips as well, since the shroud covers it?

Brianna

Brianna

Insane & Inhumane

Join Date: Feb 2006

To my knowledge I don't think so.. I could be wrong but it doesn't sound right.

If there was no paste there to begin with, then no I definitely would not do that - as far as I am concerned thermal compound is just for CPU, GPU, and for some chipset heatsinks like a north bridge? I never heard of anyone putting it on the ram chips though.

Lord Sojar

Lord Sojar

The Fallen One

Join Date: Dec 2005

Oblivion

Irrelevant

Mo/Me

Typically, vRAM has heatsink material on it. You could put a small amount on if you removed the current stuff. However, I am not sure how ATi designed it. It won't hurt it if you use Artic Silver: Ceramique. Don't use AS5 though, as you risk a short circuit if it gets off the very small vRAM modules.

Serafita Kayin

Serafita Kayin

Exclusive Reclusive

Join Date: May 2005

Tuscaloosa, AL

Seraph's Pinion (wing)

R/Me

It's pad based. Leave the pads be. Just do the core.

Lord Sojar

Lord Sojar

The Fallen One

Join Date: Dec 2005

Oblivion

Irrelevant

Mo/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serafita Kayin
It's pad based. Leave the pads be. Just do the core.
Why is it that I have never trusted pad cooling?

Serafita Kayin

Serafita Kayin

Exclusive Reclusive

Join Date: May 2005

Tuscaloosa, AL

Seraph's Pinion (wing)

R/Me

Because under normal circumstances, it's shite. However, as you well know, vRAM doesn't have to worry so much with cooling, and almost anything will work-pennies, little Zalman RAMsinks, etc. As such, there's little reason to waste thermal compound on something that is already completely adequately cooled.

If EddyEK sends thermal pads for his FC blocks, it's good enough for me.

Lord Sojar

Lord Sojar

The Fallen One

Join Date: Dec 2005

Oblivion

Irrelevant

Mo/Me

I would still compound them, but meh, I am a perfectionist. So meh.

Lurid

Lurid

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

Mo/

The only reason pads should be used over TIM is in the event of uneven contact. Some fullcover GPU heatsinks aren't completely flat; the pads are pulling double duty both as a thermal medium and to fill in the gap.

swaaye

swaaye

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

I wouldn't touch it. These cards just run hot. I've been down this road before and have replaced stock thermal compounds, but you just don't gain anything from it. A lower temp won't make it better or produce less heat.

If the card doesn't work right, just get a replacement.