Re: Book: Build your own PC
@Detonate:
I'm not that wise.
However, I hear a lot of talk about thermal compounds and it seems to be the same words repeated everywhere. Hard facts like the difference in functionality between using it and not using it are generally not talked about. What I do hear is comparisons of different products. Hmm, does that ring a bell?
The theory is simple and straightforward. Using some kind of filler for the microscopic gaps is sensible. As is using something which can tolerate the relevant temperature and not change characteristics (dry out) over time. Still, how does toothpaste work? How about Vegemite? See here for a comparison.
Agreeing that using thermal paste of some kind is a good idea, I nevertheless would point out one of the major conclusions of a fairly extensive benchmark review:
@dibl:
I just suggested a thermocouple because I wasn't thinking. Yes, the built-in one is probably good enough. One can put one in the heatsink, but under the CPU is better. The logistics vary. Anyway, I guess it depends on how scientific one wants to get. The built in one may or may not be reliable, but my guess is that it would definitely be good for comparison purposes. To take advantage of that, however, one would have to actually compare different things, which is what I was thinking about.
@woodsmoke:
No knotted pine here. It is rough boards such as they made in the "wild west". This lumber is local and from 1911 when the town (and my "house") was built. A few random pics here, including ANA and SCO - my most used computers.
@Detonate:
I'm not that wise.
However, I hear a lot of talk about thermal compounds and it seems to be the same words repeated everywhere. Hard facts like the difference in functionality between using it and not using it are generally not talked about. What I do hear is comparisons of different products. Hmm, does that ring a bell?The theory is simple and straightforward. Using some kind of filler for the microscopic gaps is sensible. As is using something which can tolerate the relevant temperature and not change characteristics (dry out) over time. Still, how does toothpaste work? How about Vegemite? See here for a comparison.
Agreeing that using thermal paste of some kind is a good idea, I nevertheless would point out one of the major conclusions of a fairly extensive benchmark review:
You see, even with a heavy overclock on the most modern processor there just isn't enough heat produced to create a clearly evident divide between products.
I just suggested a thermocouple because I wasn't thinking. Yes, the built-in one is probably good enough. One can put one in the heatsink, but under the CPU is better. The logistics vary. Anyway, I guess it depends on how scientific one wants to get. The built in one may or may not be reliable, but my guess is that it would definitely be good for comparison purposes. To take advantage of that, however, one would have to actually compare different things, which is what I was thinking about.
@woodsmoke:
No knotted pine here. It is rough boards such as they made in the "wild west". This lumber is local and from 1911 when the town (and my "house") was built. A few random pics here, including ANA and SCO - my most used computers.
plastic standoffs.
That and this stupid piece of junk linux box that I threw together out of spare parts won't become obsolete or ever crash... HOW CAN I CONVINCE *HER THAT I NEED TO BUILD A NEW MACHINE WHEN MY SINGLE CORE, 1 GB RAM LINUX BOX RUNS CIRCLES AROUND HER ~NEW WINDOWS LAPTOP!?!??!?!?!?!??!?! 
Dang it, I knew reading this thread would have me drooling over a new build...
Comment