Attack of the Shim, part Deux!

[Hell-Fire]

Well, a bit ago I started a thread about removing the shim on the 9800 Pro. I knew that it was a good thing to remove on the 9700 Pro, but wasnt sure about the newer design layout.

I got some good posts from members, and decided to leave it on. I think it was mdzcpa that suggested ye ole grease trick to check for contact. Its amazing how you can forget the simple things that can work the best.

Well, I was making solid contact all around the core after doing the check with the block and some thermal on the core. SO, left shim on and bolted down my MCW50-T.

Today, I tear the rig apart to prepare it for a move to a bigger enclosure as I cant get to anything in the case due to the shear volume of hose in its current case.

When I unhooked the block and cleaned its face, I noticed that I could read some of the core stepping numbers on the cold plate. :eek:

Now, since the card has been running fine and I got 21k marks on a slight overclock of the system, I am assuming that all is well, but some input would be nice as to whether I tightened down to far.

Thanks.

[`schr0et]

Ya most likely it was tightened down a bit too far, but remember the actual contact needed between the HS and core is so little that you don't actually need to be able to see any tim on it.

Which is why many TIM manufacturer's recommend apply only a paper thick amount of TIM to a CPU.

The amount of TIM you applied IMO was perfect, because you filled the microsopic in between your HS and the die on the 9800.

Don't wry bout it your fine on that, if it wasn't making good contact you'd be ranting about how your stupid 9800 pro died :lol:

[Karnivore]

My 9700P was same way, could see the imprint of the core lettering on the block, nothing to be concerned with, mine was fine... Doesn't sound overtight to me...

[Hell-Fire]

Originally posted by `schr0et
... if it wasn't making good contact you'd be ranting about how your stupid 9800 pro died :lol:

Yes, yes I would. :hehe:

I think maybe a little to tight, but right around that amount of pressure is prob about right.


Originally posted by Karnivore
My 9700P was same way, could see the imprint of the core lettering on the block, nothing to be concerned with, mine was fine... Doesn't sound overtight to me...

Its prob a thing that happens more than people are either aware of.

[mdzcpa]

Yep....that's normal. A little disconcerting, but normal:)

[brwmogazos]

Same here as well...my ASetek GPU block has got the details of my rad 9800pros chip marked in it now :D

[blinky]

my SK-7 has permanantly imprinted on it the stepping of my old 2000+ palamino

[st0nedpenguin]

This SP-94 has a nice imprint now too, it's just a sign of really sweet contact.

[unrealneo]

my AX-7 has it as well :)

[sandman]

my maze4 does too, as did my slk-900

[Hell-Fire]

Nice. Good to know its a normal thing.

[TheWeaseL]

My mcw50 has the imprints from my 9700 pro on it. Seems ok to me.