What is the point of a cpu shim?

eli · SirTweaksabit Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 256

What is the real point of a cpu shim, does it cool off the cpu, or does it protect the cpu. Is it useless if your have water cooling?]

Thanks!

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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

A shim is not a necessity, but it is put in place to protect your cpu core from being crushed during a uneven heatsink/cold plate (watercooling) installation.
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eli · SirTweaksabit Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 256

Thanks a lot Nathan. I have just one more question. I heard something about the arctic silver thermal past not being a good match with CPU shims, is that true?

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Eli,

Well, for one thing, they are NOT really related seeing that you do not put thermal paste on the shim at all. The thermalpaste is for the core only.

If you are the unfortuneate few that have applied the thermal paste to the shim, you could be causing some shorts in your bridges on your cpu.

Do NOT apply to the shim, the shim is not for cooling at all, only for even application of the heatsink on the cpu core.
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eli · SirTweaksabit Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 256

Thanks a lot Nathan, your knowledge in computers has helped me a great deal.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

No problem, help is what I'm here for.

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jadison · Guest

Welcome to TweakNews, eli.

I'm glad Nathan was able to help you, if you have any other questions feel free to ask us.
Feel free to stick around and chat if you like :)

BTW, here's a review we did over a copper CPU shim from Thermaltake if you'd like more info, pics, etc: click here.