A CPU shim (also called CPU spacer) is a shim used between the CPU and the heat sink in a computer. Shims make it easier and less risky to mount a heatsink on the processor because it stabilizes the heatsink, preventing accidental damaging of the fragile CPU packaging.[1] They help distribute weight evenly over the surface.
A CPU shim
CPU shims are usually made of thin and very flat aluminium or copper. Copper has good heat dissipation capacity but is electrically conductive. CPU shims should be non-conductive to prevent any accidental short circuiting. Aluminium shims are often anodized, which makes them non-conductive and improves their appearance (see case modding). It is also very important that the shim is the proper thickness. If it is too thick then the heatsink will not make contact with the CPU, resulting in poor cooling and possibly overheating.
Most shims are CNC manufactured, often using laser cutting. Cheaper ones may be pressed or stamped which could make them less accurate.
Usageedit
CPU shims are not common at all in OEM computers, but are used by some computer hardware enthusiasts who may use heavier heatsinks because they wish to have a cooler or less noisy system or perhaps to overclock the CPU for better performance. A heavy heatsink puts more pressure on the CPU and motherboard. Shims are very useful for people who often change CPU, heatsink or cooling solutions, or use a heatsink that is heavier than the CPU manufacturer's recommended weight.
CPU shims are nowadays largely obsolete because most modern processors designed for home users since the introduction of the Athlon 64 and Pentium 4 have an Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) which prevents the CPU core from being accidentally broken.
shim, other, uses, shim, disambiguation, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improv. For other uses see Shim disambiguation This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources CPU shim news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2024 Learn how and when to remove this message This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed February 2024 Learn how and when to remove this message Learn how and when to remove this message A CPU shim also called CPU spacer is a shim used between the CPU and the heat sink in a computer Shims make it easier and less risky to mount a heatsink on the processor because it stabilizes the heatsink preventing accidental damaging of the fragile CPU packaging 1 They help distribute weight evenly over the surface A CPU shim CPU shims are usually made of thin and very flat aluminium or copper Copper has good heat dissipation capacity but is electrically conductive CPU shims should be non conductive to prevent any accidental short circuiting Aluminium shims are often anodized which makes them non conductive and improves their appearance see case modding It is also very important that the shim is the proper thickness If it is too thick then the heatsink will not make contact with the CPU resulting in poor cooling and possibly overheating Most shims are CNC manufactured often using laser cutting Cheaper ones may be pressed or stamped which could make them less accurate Usage editCPU shims are not common at all in OEM computers but are used by some computer hardware enthusiasts who may use heavier heatsinks because they wish to have a cooler or less noisy system or perhaps to overclock the CPU for better performance A heavy heatsink puts more pressure on the CPU and motherboard Shims are very useful for people who often change CPU heatsink or cooling solutions or use a heatsink that is heavier than the CPU manufacturer s recommended weight CPU shims are nowadays largely obsolete because most modern processors designed for home users since the introduction of the Athlon 64 and Pentium 4 have an Integrated Heat Spreader IHS which prevents the CPU core from being accidentally broken See also editComputer fan Computer cooling Thermal greaseReferences edit What is a Shim and Why Should You Use One Legit Reviews 2003 05 26 Retrieved 2024 02 29 nbsp This computer hardware article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title CPU shim amp oldid 1211109639, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
