CPU block with integrated IHS? Silver IHS?

paskowitz · Feb 25, 2017

Question 1:

I was thinking today while deliding my CPU... what if there was a CPU block that didn't have a traditional cold plate but instead had one that was the exact shape of the IHS. The CPU block/IHS, would then mount directly to the die/chip. Essentially like a direct or naked die mount, with the advantage of using the integrated IHS for better contact. So with that said... obviously, this would provide better cooling than traditional mounting, but would it be better thermally than direct/naked mounting? Yes, I understand why this doesn't exist, I'm just curious.

Question 2:

Obviously, it is obvious that that silver is much more expensive than copper. Would a silver IHS provide any substantial thermal benefit over a copper IHS?

Bonus questions:

What would perform better thermally, a thinner IHS or a thicker IHS? We are talking die to cold plate thickness/height here. I am assuming thinner, since we are talking heat transfer, not dissipation or capacity?

Would there be any negative reaction (corrosion, bonding/adhesion, etc) between gallium (CLU) and silver?

Gunderman456 · Feb 25, 2017

1. If it did exist it would be better I would think.

2. Same, silver coolers don't exist, but I would say copper would cool better anyway.

3. As in #1, the thinner the things are between transfers the better I would think. That is why naked cooling is even better.

RnRollie · Feb 27, 2017

Silver coldplate standard on the top line of Aquacomputer Kryos Next
https://shop.aquacomputer.de/product_info.php?products_id=3573&XTCsid=6hsu3alk3rk1l7u5tm74vvcfs5gha6gq

on some of their older models also, btw.

Also, if you would take an IHS to a silversmith , and tell him you want the same thing made out of as pure silver as possible (while still strong enough) , i am pretty sure (s)he can do that for you

However, price will most likely exceed the above waterblock. Not because silver is "soo expensive", because it really isn't that much different in pricing as copper (have you seen copper prices recently?) ... but because of the hours which will go into handcrafting a silver IHS.

And in the end, all that for a net gain of 2 to 5°C

You see, the copper IHS is not the barrier here.. the thermal barrier is the TIM. You'll gain more from eliminating the TIM as from using "exotic" metals.

Lap both the CPU and the Waterblock to such a perfect finish that they stick to each other and you can do away with TIM. Or just apply TIM and wipe it off so there is only a film so thin that its only a sheen.

All that being said.. delid and go for direct/naked. Although in reality this requires a shim between die & block. But you can get a shim of the right thickness made out of silver also.. after all its only a square piece of silver 0.8 or 0.5mm thick. And guess what.. silversmiths have things like that laying around, only needs to be cut to the correct size

One more thing... silver is a far/high as you can go. Gold is to "soft" and diamond is too "irregular". That said, diamond can be "grown" with its cells oriented such that thermal conductivity is optimal; just like Graphene can be constructed as such... one drawback thou to "grown" diamond & graphene... the pricetag.

footnote: the vials of graphene floating in water on ebay... snake oil, a scam. They have no practical application unless you posses very very very tiny tweezers and an electro-microscope to correctly orient the particles by hand. And IF you do have that equipment.. please present yourself to Marvel Studio and apply for the role of evil mastermind in the next Avengers movie.

Gunderman456 · Feb 27, 2017

Hah, a silver block does exist, wonder on the purity and that price.

RnRollie · Feb 27, 2017

.925 Stirling Silver

You cant get much higher as that without it becoming too "soft" and too easily tarnished

paskowitz · Feb 27, 2017

Jesus, dat Kryos price tag. Ouch. Thanks for the detailed reply!

Blameless · Feb 27, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnRollie

Gold is to "soft"

Gold also has worse thermal conductivity than silver or copper.

RnRollie · Feb 27, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blameless

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnRollie

Gold is to "soft"

Click to expand...

Gold also has worse thermal conductivity than silver or copper.

true, i shouldn't have it mentioned

CPU block with integrated IHS? Silver IHS?

paskowitz

Gunderman456

RnRollie

Gunderman456

RnRollie

paskowitz

Blameless

RnRollie

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