CPU Replacement

I bought my son a new CPU for his gaming comp. I put the new CPU and Heatsink in and the machine will not boot up. I have read that I probably should have updated the bios before installing the new CPU. I think I need to put the olde CPU back in so I can boot up to update the bios and then reinstall the new CPU. My question is do I need to apply TIM to the old CPU and then again to the new CPU when reinstalled? Any advice on the TIM question or any aspect of this project is appreciated. Thanks

Hi EvilleDad,

A CPU can overheat within seconds of booting up, and even during the boot cycle.
If you are going to apply electricity to it, you'd best have it set up properly to dissipate the resulting heat.

Read the excellent help piece from our own Tech Team Member, Digerati:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/Thermal_Inte…al_t103650.html

Best Regards

Thanks for the reply Doug! As long as I have the Heat sink attached and operating shouldnt that cool effectively. Will the CPU be damaged if TIM is not used even if the Heatsink is operating?

The heat sink is "mostly" a chunk of metal with fins or tubing . But the absolute "critical" portion of any heat sink is the contact surface where heatsink meets CPU. For hard-core gamers and over-clockers, I've seen them use emery cloth to polish that surface (heatsink) to a near mirror finish with resulting benefit of 5° or better heat reduction….and still they use TIM before firing it up. Every micro-imperfection on the surface of the heatsink will form an air pocket that will function as insulation (keeping heat "in") Think of the imperfections as similar to bubble-wrap used in packing freight. Experiment by wrapping a section of your hand or arm with bubble-wrap and see how fast you heat up. TIM "fills" the micro-bubble spaces with heat-conductive material to stream the heat away from the CPU. Do not take the importance of TIM lightly….. unless you don't mind sending away and waiting for a replacement CPU.