Thermal compound for 8800...

[erocker]

Should I use ceramique or AS5? I would prefer to use AS5, though I've heard some suggest ceramique. Anyone who has replaced the thermal grease on an 8800 please let me know!
I understand that the card has an IHS on the gpu so I don't see why I wouldn't use AS5?...

[Grings]

AS5's fine, just make sure you have enough, those IHS's are huge

[DOM]

well if you dont want the chance of killing your card go with the Ceramique as is non-conductive its just as good as AS5, Im using MX-1 its non-conductive also its on my gpu, nb, sb, cpu


and the Ceramique last longer I think its like 8yrs something like that which AS5 is every 6 months

[insider]

There is very little to zero performance difference with AS5 and Arctic Ceramique paste, I use Ceramique for both CPU/GPU and motherboards NB.

[erocker]

Well, since I have a tube of AS5 already, I'm just going to use that. I know what I'm doing, I just wanted to see if there was any reasons not to use it for the card. Thanks for all you help!:D

[mrsemi]

This is gonna sound corny but I had two cards die using as5. I read people on this board use it on their gpu's but I never will again, I'm way too paranoid.

[KennyT772]

8800's have a ihs so as5 is more then fine.

[p_o_s_pc]

The only reason i could think of would be because you don't have to take off the HSF every 6 months to replace thermal paste but what do i know i have never even seen a 8800 in person(yet)

[largon]

IHS-2-HSF contact is not the problem on G80...
;)

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3144/img3934rnj4.jpg
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/8852/img3930rczd0.jpg
But there's nothing liquid metal can't fix.
:p

[erocker]

Ok, today I finally got around to it and my temps went up 6c. I used the same amount I would use on an AMD processor (they're about the same size). So what to try next? Sould I cover the entire thing with a thin layer? Ive seen those GPU's with the IHS off and they are huge! Also, what can be done to cool the memory, vrm's, etc. better?

[keakar]

Ok, today I finally got around to it and my temps went up 6c. I used the same amount I would use on an AMD processor (they're about the same size). So what to try next? Sould I cover the entire thing with a thin layer? Ive seen those GPU's with the IHS off and they are huge! Also, what can be done to cool the memory, vrm's, etc. better?

lap it, cover with pencil lead (rub a pencil over the contact pad area) then check for low spots.

those things are notorious for being uneven so lap it smooth first and then you can be sure its not the heatsink causing bad contact.

[erocker]

Lapping that thing is a b****. I can't lay it flat on a mirror or anything like that. I tried to lap my x1950 heatsink and it took me 4 tries to get it right. The screw mounts are on the heatsink, while with the 8800 they are on the card. The heatsink is flat, I checked it with a razor. I think I'll go buy some MX-2 tomorrow and use a generous amount of it.

[keakar]

Lapping that thing is a b****. I can't lay it flat on a mirror or anything like that. I tried to lap my x1950 heatsink and it took me 4 tries to get it right. The screw mounts are on the heatsink, while with the 8800 they are on the card. The heatsink is flat, I checked it with a razor. I think I'll go buy some MX-2 tomorrow and use a generous amount of it.

that sounds like your only choice, good luck

but you may have to go with aftermarket cooler anyway so why not just go for it?

[niko084]

AS5 takes a bit to settle, I have applied it to chips and seen higher temps than usual and then after a week of off/on use it cooled down below what was usual...

P4 Prescott -60-70 right after as5 application
1 week later - 45-55