Thermal Paste question

[123456]

I got my case today and I already have the mobo... before I get the rest of the stuff, I want to know whether I should apply the thermal grease before or after I put the motherboard into the case? Do I install the heatsink before or after I put the motherboard into the case? Also, I'm still kinda iffy on how much paste I should use... I know too much is bad and too little is dangerous... thanks!

[PrntRhd]

If you are using Artic Silver follow their instructions:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm

I would suggest you install the CPU, HSF and then do a "bare bones" boot before mounting into the case.

[mjc]

A smooth, thin layer that makes it hard to see the lettering on the top of the CPU, but doesn't necessarily totally obscure it. Basically you should feel slight tension when you put the heatsink on the CPU and try to move it.

As for in or out of the case...that really depends on how much room you have to work with and how big your hands are...I prefer doing it outside...more room to work.

[astoroth88]

With my CPU, i just put a small glob in the middle, and spread it with my finger until i got a good even coating that was decently thick, then placed my cpu cooler on top of it, made sure I had it secure and it was good to go. To this day I have no problems, holds at a nice 20c.

[123456]

I spread the grease on the heatsink, following the heatsink instructions CAREFULLY. The system doesn't turn on. I made sure I connected everything correctly, front panel is correct, 4-pin power thing near the processor, the 24-pin connector, everything. Tried a barebones boot, nothing. >:(

http://i37.tinypic.com/2qn4c9f.jpg

EDIT: Power supply works, tried it on my Pentium II Motherboard.

[123456]

Okay, I found a way to turn it on. If I disconnect the 4-pin connector from the PSU, it turns on (no post, video, but fans spin). http://www.supernotebook.com/images/p4-connector-200x142.gif

However, if I connect it, the computer refuses to even turn on. O_O Is 400W enough?

[astoroth88]

Well, from what I can see from your provided picture, yea 400w should be enough, but just to be sure, what are your specs again?

EDIT
By the way, it helps if you put your current PC specs in your signature, only one computer that way we don't need to ask over and over.

[123456]

1.6GHz dual core Celeron
2GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
256mb MSI GeForce 8400GS PCIe
160GB Seagate SATA
2 DVD drives (one burner)
XIGMATEK Heatsink w/ fan

I picked up the PSU and it's really light in weight... I have a 250W PSU that weighs much more. I'm thinking its the PSU.

[jlreich]

It's hard to compare an old 250w unit to a new 400W. Things are built differently these days.

400W should be enough, not recommended, but enough for what you are running. But that's a rather cheap PSU. Bundled with the case? If so you might not want to trust it to run your PII box. :p

If you want to try and see if it just doesn't have enough juice to run your system unhook your optical and hard drives and give it a try. If the board has video remove the video card and try it.

[123456]

I tried booting it with just the molex connector and the 4 pin but still no dice. No fans spin. I'm pretty sure it's the PSU since it feels like a low grade PSU and the computer turns on w/o the 4 pin connector. I'm going to Micro Center tomorrow to buy a more powerful PSU. Do you guys think this is wise?

[jlreich]

Even if it turns out to be something else a better power supply would be wise. ;)

[saphalline]

I want to know whether I should apply the thermal grease before or after I put the motherboard into the case?Depends on the installation structure of the HSF unit. For a standard PC, I'd recommend installing it outside the case as a rule since you often have to get at the backside of the mobo. For server-class hardware, the current HSF units bolt through the mobo directly to the case. So it just depends on your hardware.

[123456]

I followed Artic Silver's instructions exactly as their website shows for Intel 775 processors.

[123456]

I got a 600W PSU from Microcenter ($50). And, goddammit, I still have the same problem. It turns on w/o the 4-pin CPU connector. It doesn't do anything with it connected.

EDIT: I figured the mobo is dead/damaged. I bought this one: http://www.links.co.jp/html/press2/image/945gcms2l-b01.jpg for $50.

[mjc]

Both in and outside the case?

It is sounding like the area under the 4-pin connector may be shorting out...

Also, you should be able to put the connector in only one direction...but double check to make sure.

[123456]

Both in and out of the case.

[123456]

Actually, I ended up getting an ECS GeForce 7100PVT-M motherboard that came with a 2.2GHz dual core processor. I got XP on it for now and it flies. Installed in 20 minutes. Here are the internals. Thanks to all of you for helping me successfully complete my 2nd build.

http://i34.tinypic.com/2e3b9m9.jpg

[123456]

Heheh. I noticed something weird. My NX8400GS video card is supposedly 256mb, according to Newegg and the box. But Windows and DirectX, as well as SIW report 512mb.

[astoroth88]

Nice looking inside, though it could use some cord management a.k.a zip ties lol, glad you got it to work though.

[123456]

Astoroth88: our PC's are really similar. Except I got a 600W PSU and a different video card. But very similar.