Should I put the IHS back on my 170 to use the MCW6000-T block?

[hardnrg]

I'm assuming that a TEC would work best used in conjuction with a heatspreader, whether that be a coldplate on a stock-naked cpu, or the IHS of a stock-IHS cpu...

Do I have to hunt for my 170's IHS? Or would it actually be better naked?

[Holst]

The block you have is fitted with coldplate as standard.

The only reason I see to put the IHS back on is if your worried about crushing the core when mounting the big TEC block.
As long as your carefull and check you are getting a good mount you should be ok without the IHS, and get lower temps as a result.

Just be carefull with such a big block.

[littleowl]

also add to holst's remarks. I would put nail polish around the chip and use electric tape on all 4 sides of the die. To keep any condensation away from the chip. Also helps to take away any air pockets left in that area.

With out IHS would be better but it doesn't really matter that much.

[hardnrg]

I've been running 939 cpus naked on air and water for quite a while now. I think I'm going to use conformal coating around the die and run it naked

I also have some neoprene on the way so if the thinnest sheet in there is small enough, I may use some of that too

[hardnrg]

turns out the 170 produces WAY too much heat for a 226W TEC (even at 13.6v) with the cpu at 1.632v lol... plain water is better for it