Solution to thermal pad problems

Today I took the heatsink off my 8800GTS to remove the thermal pads and apply a TIM instead.

Problem is that the ram chips would not touch the heatsink without the pads (unlike suggestions in another thread that they would be fine).

Solution?

Not new pads, they are just insulators.

Tape.

Tin tape to be more correct: http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/e...er/output_html


Thats not the exact stuff I used (I used tin ducting tape for HVAC) but you get the idea ;) Its not as good as if the chips were in direct contact with the heatsink but my overclock has improved suggesting it is doing better than stock. I just cut strips then applied them to the heatsink.. 7 strips on each because its not thick enough with just 1 or 2. Use an x-acto (spelling?) knife to cut the strips to the size of the memory pads after applying them to the heatsink. Its much easier than making 40 individual pieces...

Stock I was able to get 1050mhz on the 1ns Quimoda.. but it would get artifacts sometimes so I just ran 1000mhz usually. Now i'm running 1100mhz without issue.

do u have samsung or qibmonda ram on the card

Last line in the post says.

how thick/thin are those tapes? was the TIM between the ram chips-tape or heatsink-tape?

very thin. I needed to stack 7 strips to make it thick enough for reliable contact. There is some give to the PCB so its best to test....

I put TIM on the chips. The tape is attached to the heatsink so that it has minimal chance of draping over the edges of the ram chips to short anything out and because you need to cut it... dont want to cut the PCB.

oh ok. thanks stevil :)

can't we use copper tape which is used for soldering in place of this tin tape ?

Yes, in fact its probably better.