Best thing to attach Ram sinks on video card ram is..?

[wizboy11]

Moving to water cooling, pretty much got everything (Storm, pump, etc) I need.

But I'm wondering what to attach the Copper OCZ ram sinks to the video card ram with. I have a vf700 on it now and I know (from personal experience) that those things fall off with the 3m tape thats on there now.
So what should I use? Artic Silver Adhesive? Alumina Adhesive???

Should this have been posted in Air cooling? (cause it does have a "little" to do with water cooling ;) )

[creidiki]

Um. My OCZ sinks are fine with "builtin" thermal tape. In fact, ive already pulled them off 2 cards and stuck them back on with the same tape, and they aint fallen off yet...

But you can get some proper thermal tape from fleebay if you want it - i got 4 1" by 5" SEKISUI #5760 for like 5$...

[Hodgstar]

use alumina adhesive, but if you ever want to take them off again mix in some bog standard thermal compound (about a third), if you use just the adhesive it is perminant.

[andersson.j]

The best way to stop the sinks to fall of is to clean the chips thourougly and when attaching them press for about a minute.

If you want something that moves heat a bit better (not that it´s really needed) or if you simply want to eliminate the possibility of them falling off you should use arctic alumina. Mix /w AS5 if you don't want to be able to remove them.

[Vapor]

nanotherm epoxy

gl getting it off if you ever need to later though

[GoriLLakoS]

Do nut us thermal tape...cause after days it maybe have been weakened and don't make it's job very good...:D

Try to make a mix with 90% of any thermal compound and 10% of hydravlics silicon....so then ,the sinks will stick and do their job too...:D

if you are not afraid....stick the sinks with logo..it's the best...:D

[Bloody_Sorcerer]

my suggestion is usually a dab of thermal paste in the middle then hot gluing the corners, but i've only ever used this on :banana::banana::banana::banana:ty cards.

[wizboy11]

The best way to stop the sinks to fall of is to clean the chips thourougly and when attaching them press for about a minute.

If you want something that moves heat a bit better (not that it´s really needed) or if you simply want to eliminate the possibility of them falling off you should use arctic alumina. Mix /w AS5 if you don't want to be able to remove them.

You want me to mix the Alumina (the white stuff) with the Artic SILVER 5 (which is the silver stuff)?
Is it safe to mix the two? Or should I mix the Alumina with the Artic Ceramic?

[creidiki]

Methinks all those people whose ramsinks fall off dont clean 'em right...

[wizboy11]

Methinks all those people whose ramsinks fall off dont clean 'em right...

:confused:
I've cleaned the ram off with some 90% alcohol, then used the stock 3m tape that was on the ram sinks. In a couple of days, one fell off. Then another.

Anyway, back to my other question.
You want me to mix the Alumina with AS5. Or Ceramic with Alumina??? :confused:

[creidiki]

Weird. I pulled mine off an X1800 they had been on for 1 months, and theyve been on my X1900 with the same tape for 2 months now... and theyd been on my X850 fer a while too...

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

i use TIM in the center. and then two small dabs of superglue which i apply with a needle. works well, and dont fall off. but can take them off easy enough if you freeze the card.

[andersson.j]

I mean the arctic alumina thermal epoxy adhesive and not the arctic alumina themal compound.

The epoxy alumina is a two component adhesive. I don't know if it's "safe" to mix it with arctic silver 5 but it works for me. :)

[wizboy11]

I mean the arctic alumina thermal epoxy adhesive and not the arctic alumina themal compound.

The epoxy alumina is a two component adhesive. I don't know if it's "safe" to mix it with arctic silver 5 but it works for me. :)

So you did mix the two?
I'll have to try it.

[andersson.j]

Yes, I mixed the alumina epoxy /w AS5.

Hopefully I used enough AS5 because I'll have to remove them soon when I switch from DD maze4-1 to Silverprop Cyclone FusionSLT(Low Profile, Thermoelectric) and MC14 RAMsinks. :)

[Ray_GTI-R]

Do nut us thermal tape...cause after days it maybe have been weakened and don't make it's job very good

How does thermal tape "weaken"?

if you are not afraid....stick the sinks with logo..it's the best...:D
What is "logo" ???

I've cleaned the ram off with some 90% alcohol, then used the stock 3m tape that was on the ram sinks. In a couple of days, one fell off. Then another.
Cleaning first is a no-brainer. But then fall off? This should definitely NOT happen with thermal tape. Not ever, ever, ever. It sounds like the RAM chips are getting way too hot. RAM shouldn't ever get hot enough to kill tape. I know that SEKISUI #5760 tape is OK to at least 50C (the Bergquist tape on the MC 14's & 3M are all pretty much the same) with just the tape & no clips etc. I have destruction-tested tape - extreme pressure (a bench vice) and extreme temperature (a gas tortch) and it will eventually fail, like anything I guess??? One high-end graphics card repairer that I know prefers SEKISUI #5760 over thermal epoxy "Does the same job, only it's faster to set & is non-permanent". I've used the stuff on loads of things - like mainboard RAM heat spreaders, external PSU's, Peltiers, some cheaper, hot, 802.11b dongles etc and never had anything fall off ... in years.

HTH, Ray

[Repoman]

Arctic Silver Ceramique, just spread a thin layer on the ramsink and stick! It's been working fine on my 7800GTX for a few months now.

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

Arctic Silver Ceramique, just spread a thin layer on the ramsink and stick! It's been working fine on my 7800GTX for a few months now.


ummm..... there is no adhesive what so ever in ceramique. i really dont think your chips would stick this way, and if they did the thermal transfer would be horrid as there would be very very little pressure.

[freecableguy]

Arctic Silver Ceramique, just spread a thin layer on the ramsink and stick! It's been working fine on my 7800GTX for a few months now.

TIM needs applied pressure to work correctly. This can be done during the cure phase (if it's an epoxy) or it can be a constant applied force if it is a simple interface material like ceramique or AS5, etc. Don't think that you are getting optimum heat transfer if you just apply a TIM and stick the heatsink on, especially if the heatsink has gravity pulling against it. :nono:

[Ad1tya]

Use Thermal Tape, no risks of the RAM coming out with the sink if you ever need to remove it :P.

[Repoman]

Whatever, ceramique works for me and the heatsinks get a little warm just like the others with regular tape, so I can only assume it's doing it's job. Push the ramsink down into a very thin layer, and it's not going anywhere.. no air can get in that way :stick:

Plus I get zero difference in RAM oc between naked chip, thermal tape ramsink and ceramique ramsink, so I honestly don't see what the difference is..

[freecableguy]

Whatever, ceramique works for me and the heatsinks get a little warm just like the others with regular tape, so I can only assume it's doing it's job. Push the ramsink down into a very thin layer, and it's not going anywhere.. no air can get in that way :stick:

Plus I get zero difference in RAM oc between naked chip, thermal tape ramsink and ceramique ramsink, so I honestly don't see what the difference is..

If the heatinks don't get warm that means that they ARE NOT doing their job. Cool heatsinks = hot chips due to the poor thermal transfer. Moreover, maybe the reason you don't get a better OC with thermal tape vs. your thin layer of paste is because you fail to properly apply the paste. Listen to me when I tell you that you need some sort of clamping force. Don't just tell me "whatever" and act like you don't care. If you really don't care then don't give your BS response to others when they ask whats the BEST way to get this done.

[[XC] MarioMaster]

My ramsinks never get hotter than slightly warm. Also only running a 6600GT
-Standard thermal tape

[creidiki]

Mine either, OCZ sinks with SEKISUI #5760 tape.

[freecableguy]

My ramsinks never get hotter than slightly warm. Also only running a 6600GT
-Standard thermal tape

Mine either, OCZ sinks with SEKISUI #5760 tape.

Case and point. Although the 6600GT memory may not be putting out that much heat. I know with the BJ11 GDDR3 on the 7800GTX being fed 2.35-2.45v the sinks can get QUITE hot especially since they have a tendency to absorb some heat off the PCB from the nearby VRM area.

[creidiki]

And the reason my the ram on my X1900XTX doesent get hot is?

[Zeus]

And the reason my the ram on my X1900XTX doesent get hot is?

Not enough voltage? :D

I mix AS3 or 5 with AS epoxy 50/50.
This holds the sinks secure but still enables you to remove the sinks if ever needed.

[Repoman]

If the heatinks don't get warm that means that they ARE NOT doing their job. Cool heatsinks = hot chips due to the poor thermal transfer. Moreover, maybe the reason you don't get a better OC with thermal tape vs. your thin layer of paste is because you fail to properly apply the paste. Listen to me when I tell you that you need some sort of clamping force. Don't just tell me "whatever" and act like you don't care. If you really don't care then don't give your BS response to others when they ask whats the BEST way to get this done.

First of all, I said the heatsinks with ceramique are just as warm as the ones with thermal tape (a couple fell off and wouldn't stick anymore so I restuck with TIM) if you'd read my post. And the whole point was that my OC doesn't LOWER when using thermal paste rather than tape, it doesn't raise either. So therefore they stay at roughly the same temp with TIM or tape and the OC doesn't change.



Repoman: flamming members, especially X.I.P's will NOT in any way be tollerated
-MaxxxRacer

[Ray_GTI-R]

... the heatsinks with ceramique are just as warm as the ones with thermal tape (a couple fell off and wouldn't stick anymore so I restuck with TIM) ... my OC doesn't LOWER when using thermal paste rather than tape, it doesn't raise either. So therefore they stay at roughly the same temp with TIM or tape and the OC doesn't change.

Very informative :clap: I've not compared the ramsink performance of TIM vs tape, I always assumed TIM would be much better, if very risky.

So, I think I'm correct in saying that the answer to wizboy11's original question is that there's no big thermal advantage been proven in any of the materials tried, TIM, epoxy & tape, and that they are only differentiated by the permanence of the bond. Put anotherway, ram simply should never get hot enough to stress properly-applied thermal material :nono:

If anyone's interested I can benchmark all these materials for future reference? Obviously it will need to be a like-for-like comparison - using all the same components aside from the thermal material. (Of course, if anyone else has already done this - I'm thinking tomshardware etc etc) then that would save me the effort :D

The only serious question that remains is why wizboy11 (or anyone else) has heatsinks fall off. creidiki rightly points out that the surface of the ram must be clean. I also made the comment that maybe the ram is getting hotter than the specification for the tape, which points to a far more serious problem.

So, message to wizboy11 ... can you get a temperature reading for the surface your ram and let us know what you found? Plus any other relevant details like ambient temperature, over voltage etc etc?

Ray
PS - it seems a shame that when someone has a problem the ensuing discussion degenerates into a Punch & Judy show, leaving the problem "in the air". HARD ON THE PROBLEM, SOFT ON THE PERSON works for me :eek:

[creidiki]

's not like i clean em with anything special, just the artic silver tim cleaning kit, which is nothing more than a small bottle of citrus oil and one of alcohol-based cleaner afaik... cheap as chips too for the use you get out of it...

[Repoman]

Here's something you might find interesting-

http://www.vr-zone.com.sg/?i=3390&s=5

Just saw this in the news section, obviously you only need to cool your RAM "enough" so that it doesn't die. That pretty much means you don't need any cooling IMO, but I wouldn't risk it, ramsinks are cheap..

[wizboy11]

Allright, I'll use some thermal tape (since I don't want it to be permanent here).

On this page (http://www.bestbyteinc.com/index.html?page=2&deptid=62&parentid=9&itemsperpage=10), there are two Sekisui #5760 items. Which one should I get, the $14, or the $65!?!?
(I'm guessing the $14 roll, second from bottom)

Thanks

Edit: and the links on the page (at least some of them) seem bad, but you can still add it to cart and buy it.

[Ray_GTI-R]

Go for TIM-SEK-001 @ $2.00 on your link and see how it goes :D. The $14 / 50 meter option will just be a waste as a few inches of this tape will probably be all you will ever need :fact:

[Bail_w]

Go for TIM-SEK-001 @ $2.00 on your link and see how it goes :D. The $14 / 50 meter option will just be a waste as a few inches of this tape will probably be all you will ever need :fact:


buy more for future rather than save a few bucks.

I tired the 3M thermaltape, but it turns out to be useless so i ordered the SEKISUI from bestbyte.com

[Ray_GTI-R]

More :fact: 's


Everything has a shelf life.
Stuff containing solvents have a relatively short shelf life (unattached) e.g., 6 to 12 months.
Stuff containing solvents must be stored in a relatively narrow temperature range i.e., for thermal compounds typically 60°F to 85°F (15°C - 29°C) otherwise the solvent evaporates from the edges and creeps inwards.

Can you really see yourself using umpteen meters before it turns to cardboard on the shelf? Put another way ... spend more then throw it away? Send me the money instead :D

[voigts]

SEKISUI #5760 tape is the way to go. It holds practically forever but does come off. If you use adhesive even mixing it with regular arctic silver you will almost certainly rip off a bga chip if you ever try to remove them.

[[XC] MarioMaster]

While I may not overvolt the 6600gt still has GDDR3 and clocks at over 1ghz and they never get more than warm, i would just use thermal grease, i used thermal grease to attach a heatsink from an ancient video card to my southbridge, hasn't fallen off yet and cools it quite well

[wizboy11]

Well, Look what I got... (http://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc011382jm.jpg) ;)

[andersson.j]

If you use adhesive even mixing it with regular arctic silver you will almost certainly rip off a bga chip if you ever try to remove them.
Done that... :cool:
Use a hair dryer and an exacto knife to avoid it.

[4Qman]

I run my 7800GT Mem at 2.3v and the Zalaman HS get very warm. Even Hot sometimes after gaming. I used AS5 adhesive and alltho i doubt ill ever get them off them sure do work well.

[Ray_GTI-R]

Well, Look what I got ... ;)

Nice one. Please let us know how it performs on your rig :toast:

And follow up in 12 months to let us know how much you binned :D coz it won't be worth the risk after being stored for long after that :caution: . I'm betting on you chucking away 49 meters & 95cm :wasntme: .

Guys, do the math ... paying 12 bucks plus shipping (& tax) for 5cm of tape is just keeping the retailers' stock fresh at your expense :nono: when you can easily get exactly the same item from the same shop (or Ebay etc) and the length that you need for around 2 bucks + peanuts :fact: (I realise wizboy11 had probably ordered the longer length before I pointed out the shelf life issues ... sorry dude)

OK, I expect a :slapass: for being blunt but I'm only trying to point out the facts, what retailers don't tell you and that soon you'll be throwing away almost all of what you bought with your hard-earned $$ :shrug: