When I first got my 9800 Pro I tried to OC it, it did ok with getting no white dots in PS 2.0 tests at 414mhz core.(416mhz+ caused white dots)
I had some Antec silver paste lying around which I am using to cool my CPU and it works quite well(35-45C). Well I took off the HSF and applied about a grain of rice size and spread it across the core until I could see no more of the core.
I put it to the test, I started at 412mhz and I already started seeing white dots, forcing me to scale down to 405mhz to not see artifacts. I took the card back out, wiped the core and HSF clean with some acetone and reapplied another coating. I am still getting the same results.
Now let me say that it is not a shim issue as the HSF with the 9800 Pro has a protruding square to make contact with the HSF. Now I'm guessing that if the card OCed higher with the stock paste, would the Arctic Silver 5 I just ordered allow my card to get to better core speeds?
Also a side question. I've left my CPU under the HSF since October/November, would the thermal paste be drying up and should I apply some AS5 to the core?
I had some Antec silver paste lying around which I am using to cool my CPU and it works quite well(35-45C). Well I took off the HSF and applied about a grain of rice size and spread it across the core until I could see no more of the core.
I put it to the test, I started at 412mhz and I already started seeing white dots, forcing me to scale down to 405mhz to not see artifacts. I took the card back out, wiped the core and HSF clean with some acetone and reapplied another coating. I am still getting the same results.
Now let me say that it is not a shim issue as the HSF with the 9800 Pro has a protruding square to make contact with the HSF. Now I'm guessing that if the card OCed higher with the stock paste, would the Arctic Silver 5 I just ordered allow my card to get to better core speeds?
Also a side question. I've left my CPU under the HSF since October/November, would the thermal paste be drying up and should I apply some AS5 to the core?