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Does the Pentium MMX 200Mhz processor need thermal paste?
I replaced the fan on it and it has a small heatsink with no thermal paste on it, and I was wondering since the screen fizzes out if I leave it on the BIOS for a while (seems like it overheats). In DOS it works though, and haven't tried Windows.
AwesomeMarioFan
Posted 2015-07-30T16:21:07.423
Reputation: 310
3
If there is a heatsink, you really should apply thermal paste between the CPU and the heatsink to ensure proper flow of heat. As they say, better safe than sorry.
Keltari
Posted 2015-07-30T16:21:07.423
Reputation: 57 019
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Every single pentium 1 I have worked on, from 75MHz up to 200MHz, had a heatsink and a fan attached (or a peltier element). So lets assume they need at least a heatsink
Next: Whenever you use a heatsink you also use either:
The reason behind this is that a heatsink might look nice, flat and polished to the naked eye, but in practice the surfaces of the CPU and the heatsink are not a perfect match. There will be many small air pockets. These hinder the transfer of heat from the CPU to the heatsink. Thermal paste can be used to fill these holes. Therefor thermal paste is almost always used.
In cases where the heatsink itself is not enough and even a fan is added, you certainly want to use thermal paste.
So yes, do use thermal paste.
Hennes
Posted 2015-07-30T16:21:07.423
Reputation: 60 739
...but: does it need thermal paste? – Arjan – 2015-07-30T17:45:21.123
I think that was the question the OP was asking :-) – Arjan – 2015-07-31T07:23:21.697
Good catch. Rewrote answer. – Hennes – 2015-07-31T07:37:18.493
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Everything in me says yes to this. (Thermal paste helps make a solid connection between the chip and the heat sink.) I did have a Pentium Pro I kept as a paper weight, it still had some paste on it even after repeat cleaning attempts so I can for a fact state that processor used it.
El Turner
Posted 2015-07-30T16:21:07.423
Reputation: 249
3It can't hurt...Of course it sounds like a larger problem, since that processor, has no thermal controls it wouldn't shut down even if it was overheating. – Ramhound – 2015-07-30T16:24:53.903
From what I understand with this part, an HSF assembly is certainly required and was supplied with the processor as sold in retail packages. It would certainly be a good idea to use thermal paste. – bwDraco – 2015-07-30T17:45:23.740
You really tried it with DOS? That said, DOS is pretty friendly on the CPU, since the vast majority of the time it's just waiting (and I'm pretty sure it doesn't busy-wait). – a CVn – 2015-07-31T08:36:07.333