I upgraded my CPU to quad, with a 4 cores under load it gets very HOT... up to 70C or more if I over clock it. So I picked up a Thermalright Extreme 120 CPU cooler. The dealer is backed up with service now, and suggested I try it myself.Anyone ever install one or a similar big cooler?I'm concerned about:1) How to remove my stock cooler2) How to best clean the CPU and then putting the amount right of paste on the cpu and cooler3) Maybe most of all, how will I ever get the MB back in the case with the massive HS attached?Any suggestions would be helpful, or should I just pay the price in cash and time to have it installed correctly?

>1) How to remove my stock cooler1. Disconnect fan connector from motherboard.2. Rotate each corner post anti-clockwise to unlock then pull up to pull out the locating pins.3. Rotating the HSF left and right slightly (to dislodge heatsink compound suction), lift the HSF off the CPU.>2) How to best clean the CPU and then putting the amount right>of paste on the cpu and cooler1. Wipe CPU top clean with soft tissue and remove as much residue as you can see.2. Wipe CPU top clean with soft tissue soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove non-visible residue traces.The instructions for paste and cooler installation should be detailed with the paste and cooler that you bought. If you don't have instructions for the paste, just apply about two rice grains worth of paste in the middle of the CPU, then when you fit the cooler make sure you rotate it left / right 30 degrees a couple of times without lifing it to spread it out.>3) Maybe most of all, how will I ever get the MB back in the>case with the massive HS attached?As long as you do a straight down vertical approach with the mobo positioned directly over where it will sit on the case side and with all cables cleared inside the case, it should just go in.Gary

Thanks Gary, just looking for some rubbing alcohol and working up the nerve to give it a go :)

About half way down has a Pic. Actually, start from page 1. This is a great thread. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showth...=152722&page=13And more interesting info: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showth...t=thermal+pasteI've always installed the mobo first, and my Thermalright last. Whatever works though. However, while you have it out, think about lapping the Heatsink's contact area. Get a piece of 400 sandpaper and lay it on a flat surface. Now rub the HS's contact area on the paper a couple of times. See the area that did not get scratched? Those are the low spots that will NoT be making contact with your CPU. Flatten that thing out. It's called "Lapping."Keep rubbing the contact area till it's evenly scratched. Then swap to a finer paper. Evenly surface again. Then to a finer grit paper. Make the contact area shine like a mirror. Everything else equal, that'll get you at least another 100mhz. Maybe more.

Thanks for the question and answer! Very useful to me. I am waiting for my cooler to come next week. First time to install a cooler myself.In addition, about the thermal compounds, how should I apply it on the CPU? as thin as possible and without any bubble??Alkit

If all else fails: :)http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm

This is helpful to me, too.... you might remember why. :-D Is Arctic Silver still considered the "gold standard" (no pun intended) for thermal paste? My local retailer doesn't sell it, but they do sell "silver paste" from other mfr's such as Cooler Master and Antec. Is one brand as good as another?

If you look at the Russian (source) translation of the recommended list, they seen to suggest we stay away from Heinz yellow mustard, but Colgate Ultra White toothpaste rates a "Heat Good" category result. Between patching walls and thermal transfers, that toothpaste is some magic stuff. Personally, I'm never without it.

*facepalms*Arrrgghhh, I looked at the first link but I didn't have a chance to read the second one, and then I forgot about it!Well that certainly answers my question. D'oh. (Not to worry, I was planning to use Gulden's anyway.)

WOW, what a difference the cooler makes, I finally got the courage tonight to rip the system apart and install the cooler and attached a Scythe 1600rpm fan.Installing is rather easy, I only had one issue when I put too much paste on the CPU and had to remove it to clean it up. After that it went well.Results...Full Load 4 cores @ 3.2Gz 1.312vBefore: 70C+ (I stopped at 70C.)Now: 47C MaxIdleBefore: 39CNow: 28CSo about a 11C drop idle, and a 23C drop under full load.My system MB temp might be up 2-4C as the cooler is so large I had to remove a side fan I had blowing on the MB. The P5K is know to report high temps due to the sensor location.

Yup, Those coolers and stuff, generally do work.:)

Solved the MB temps too, by adding a 2nd front fan to get more cool air into the system.Right now I'm at 31/31 idle and under load it gets to 33/45 max.What a change, good airflow in the case, and big CPU cooler are highly recommended for over clocking quad chips!