On 15 Sep 2006, at 10:09, robert@... wrote:

>> I've
>> ordered a Swiftech MCX159-CU cooler from Overclock.co.uk, but it's
>> out of stock and had to be back ordered.
>
> Mick had one of those on his A1 and it was really nice, solid
> mounting, cool
> running and quiet. I think you'll be pleased when it finally arrives.

Yes, I took the advice from Mick's article in 'Total Amiga' :-)

Actually, although I should post this in the Total Amiga mailing
list, I may as well mention now that I've been asking in the AmigaOS4
group about Mick's decision to use thermal pads instead of the
thermal grease supplied to interface between the cpu and heatsink.
There was a very detailed response from Steve Bowman as follows:

'The thermal resistance of thermal pads is much higher than metal-to-
metal contact + thermal compond to fill the microscopic gaps. If you
could achieve a perfect molecular level contact between the two
surfaces across the entire surfaces you would not need compound.
However, no matter how smooth the finished lapped surfaces are, there
will always be microscopic gaps, hence the need for some compound.

Thermal pads are used when you need electrical isolation between a
component and its heatsink eg. a voltage regulating transistor on a
grounded heatsink, and so therefore they are a compromise. They are
meant to be used as a (better) alternative to using mica insulators +
compound.'

So I think I'll be sticking with the thermal grease, and it might be
worth pointing out that thermal pads 'may' not be the best solution
for cpu coolers?