I cool my Athlon XP +2100 with one of those quiet Zalman coolers, the CNPS6000-Cu (kind of looks like a flower), on my MSI K7T Turbo 2. It is copper-only, and thus very heavy.

In the manual, Zalman claims no responsibility done to a system or CPU when moving the PC if the cooler exceeds the max weight limit of the socket (which mine does).

When I first installed it, I wasn't concerned, because I didn't anticipate moving at all (can you see where this post is going?). Of course, I will now be moving in a month, which has got me nervous: I will be driving for about 10 hours.

Some sites recommend removing the hs when transporting. The problem with doing that is that I've re-installed a hs to this processor two times now. I had to redo the included one because it wasn't properly placed the first time, and then I installed the Zalman much later. I've read somewhere that after so many times, the dye on the CPU becomes more and more ineffective at transferring heat.

So I guess here's my question: Should I just carry the computer on its side, with the heat sink resting directly over the socket/motherboard, or should I remove it and re-install it one more time. Or better yet, is there any other advice you could give me?

For a ten hour trek, I'd remove it personally. With that low of a CPU, even if it did get ruined, it's the chance the heatsink could destroy the motherboard and possibly other components in the process.

I don't understand the die not transfering heat. I would understand the heatsink possibly not applying as much pressure against the CPU due to increased tampering with the clip, but the die doesn't make a lot of sense, but I'm not an expert. I'd just love to hear the explanation.

MCSE, MCSA Messaging, baby!

definetly remove it! those things are way too heavy to begin with. if your driving for 10 hours i would suggest removing the hs and your hdds and any loose stuff inside your case, pack the hdds in antistatic bags and pack those in boxes lined with padding

and dont worry too much about the die thing if you clean it properly and reapply the paste correctly you will be fine

what is painfully obvious to one person might be just painful to the other

Not to mention that Turbo2 boards are getting hard to find. I sure wouldn't let that heatsink bounce on mine for 10 hours.

Skip

After my last kid graduated College and decided to live in Washington DC, I took a ride to visit and brought along a P4 as gift. Using Stock HSF which survive the trip, but the NB (passive)heatsink came off. Two of the 4 hooks soldered onto the board broke off.

Blame the damn roads, or my driving.

"the dye on the CPU becomes more and more ineffective at transferring heat"

that's bunk. If you are confident in your ability and don't mind the hassle, there is no reason not to remove it and re-install it later.

But if it were me I'd just put it on its side on a pillow (with the sink resting on the mobo, not hanging from it). With such a low level of jostling your risk is nil. You have to gauge how much the case is going to get rattled around on the trip. The most at-risk time for the sink is when you physically lift and then set down the case - that's when most of the jostling occurs.

no matter what take the hdd out any bumpiness can cause the head to do damage eventhough this risk is minimal i would still take it out

what is painfully obvious to one person might be just painful to the other