Heatsink can be moved twisted on the CPU, is it a problem? \ VOGONS

Heatsink can be moved twisted on the CPU, is it a problem?

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First post, by markot

Posted on 2016-04-03, 17:35

markot Offline

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I quite recently put together a computer with a Celeron CPU and a Cooler Master heatsink. They are both second hand. One thing I noticed was that this heatsink can be twisted quite easily. At first I noticed this when I was installing the motherboard and was holding the motherboard from the heatsink.

When using the computer, the CPU temperatures are okay and the heatsink doesn't move by itself. This heatsink has a spring clip that is fastened by pressing with a screwdriver.

Could this be a problem or is it "normal" that heatsinks could move a bit when grabbing them?

Reply 1 of 3, by Skyscraper

Posted on 2016-04-03, 17:44

Skyscraper Offline

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This is perfectly normal.

If its a Coppermine Celeron the core is tiny so thre area of contact isn't large. If you move the heatsink too much it might be a good idea to replace the thermal paste.

Some heat sinks have a "graphite like" "thermal plate" and then the heat sink can be slightly twisted over and over again without the cooling beeing affected at all. I often use this kind when testing CPUs to not waste thermal paste.

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Older PC: K6-3+ 400@600MHz, PC-Chips M577, 256MB SDRAM, AWE64, Voodoo Banshee.

Reply 2 of 3, by markot

Posted on 2016-04-03, 18:21

markot Offline

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Ok, good to know that it's nothing to worry about.

I don't remember the exact CPU that was installed, but it was 1.4 GHz Celeron and very similar to this one. Could be the same model. So it had a large area where I did apply the thermal grease. It wasn't also any expensive thermal grease, but some white industrial grease in a tube that I bought.

Reply 3 of 3, by Skyscraper

Posted on 2016-04-03, 18:43

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markot wrote:
Ok, good to know that it's nothing to worry about.

I don't remember the exact CPU that was installed, but it was 1.4 GHz Celeron and very similar to this one. Could be the same model. So it had a large area where I did apply the thermal grease. It wasn't also any expensive thermal grease, but some white industrial grease in a tube that I bought.

That's a Tualatin Celeron or short "Tualeron", it's the only 1.4 GHz Celeron there is as far as I know. 😀

No need to worry about that one, if the CPU temperture is good all is good.

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