Want a Heatsink for surface mount IC on PCI card - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 04:13:16 am
content: Hi.This video capture card has a chip (878A) that gets quite toasty when in use. The ebayer I bought it from recommends using a heatsink for longevity if the ambient temp is warm and little air flow, which is the case with my application. Chip is warm enough to be uncomfortable to touch when pushed to the max and will prolly get hotter as summer looms.As you may know, PCI cards often mount up side down. I also have a disk controller card in the slot underneath, so the heatsink must not be too tall to touch that card. Or fall off, obviously.How would I select a suitable heatsink?How do I properly glue it?Is a heatsink pointless if it is upside down?Thoughts?

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 04:19:02 am
content: On a chip like that, a 0.5-1mm or so thick strip of aluminum about 2cm wide and 5cm long (exact dimensions not critical) will do. Use epoxy to attach it.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 05:55:56 am
content: O0

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 06:30:46 am
content: Can a large coin or large washer be glued to it? In my case finding something already shaped is much easier and cheaper that obtaining and cutting metal. Does regular epoxy work or does it have to be a special epoxy?thanks

author: kingofkya
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 06:42:06 am
content: This stuff workshttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-9g-Thermal-Conductive-Silicone-Plaster-Glue-Adhesive-LED-GPU-Heatsink-/370872305451?hash=item5659b6472band salvage an old northbridge heat sync there nice and thin.Or you can do what everyone else does:)http://www.ebay.com/itm/8Pcs-Computer-Copper-Memory-RAM-Heat-Sink-Super-thin-with-adhesive-tape-/161320350309?hash=item258f713265memeory coolers with doublestick tape on the back

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 07:00:51 am
content: Quote from: kingofkya on August 23, 2015, 06:42:06 amThis is interesting $ vs $http://www.aliexpress.com/item/8PcsPure-copper-square-Heat-Sink-For-IC-DDR-DDR2-DDR3-RAM-Memory/1319278519.htmlI wonder if these can be used on a TO-220 ?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 07:25:49 am
content: I usually grab a old PC main board ( dead) and grab one of the flat heatsinks on it, then clean it off to bare metal ( 200grit paper on a surface block), degrease it and the chip top with acetone and use some 2 part metal epoxy. Araldite metal or Pratley Steel are what I use, in a thin layer. 10 minutes for the Pratley to cure and power it on. Generally the chip temperature drops 20C or more, and the heatsink and chip are at roughly the same temperature, within 10C.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 10:02:25 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on August 23, 2015, 06:30:46 amI may have the aluminum laying around.It's a good idea to nab the heatsinks of old mobos.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 10:02:37 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on August 23, 2015, 07:25:49 am