Raptor Computing Systems Community Forums (BETA)
Raptor Computing Systems Hardware => Talos II => Topic started by: jas on July 29, 2022, 03:01:53 pm
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Hi. My recent Talos II Lite & 18-core v2 CPU came without an indium pad, and I'm not sure it is required or not. The manual says to install it, the wiki says on https://wiki.raptorcs.com/wiki/Talos_II/Building_FAQ#What_is_an_indium_pad.3F_Does_the_stock_HSF_include_it.3F the following
Indium pads help heat transfer from the CPU to the HSF. 4-core and 8-core CPUs do not require them (and do not ship with them). More powerful CPUs should ship with them if required (TBD whether pre-applied to the HSF, or separately).
Which doesn't really answer my question. My previous T2Lite system came with an indium pad, so I'm curious if it is no longer necessary, or if I should be careful about using this system too much. CPU temp seems to be 35-50 on both systems.
/Simon
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For a question like this, I would strongly recommend sending a formal support request to Raptor
If they supplied the CPU then they are responsible for any issues that arise if you fry your CPU during the warranty period
Please ask them to document stuff like this publicly, it will help the next person to avoid asking the same question
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It's mandatory.
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I bought my Talos II with Power 9/18c from Vikings and did not get an indium pad either. To the same question I got the answer that thermal paste was enough. I applied it and it works without any problems.
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Both thermal paste and thermal pads have their advantages. As system integrators we found that Indium pads produce (very slightly, to the point of "meh" unless you go for every single degree C) worse thermal results and are harder to handle (gloves and razor blade required to remove the pad if you want to re-use and it's still fiddly).
For someone who only assembles their computer once and then forgets about it, thermal pads are fine. The same goes for thermal paste.
If you want to go with thermal pads we found that the brand shouldn't matter as long as the product is targeted towards CPU cooling. Because of the high pressure system the pads become heavily compressed, more than with known x86 sockets, so that thermal conductivity or thickness didn't make a difference worth mentioning for the small selection of pads we've tested (IIRC RCS's brand and Arctic Performance)
I'd recommend using thermal paste (or pads) on all CPUs, including the 4c, because the CPU will run cooler and more quiet under load.
I'm aware of the RCS wiki disagreeing with most of the above.
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Thanks for responses! Seems like there are some different opinions on this. The second T2 was bought from Vikings, so I'll follow their suggestion to use Arctic MX-4 for that system. My first T2 came from Raptor and came with the indium pad.
/Simon