Proper thermal pad/compound for DVR chip

[Ed Sowell]

I had to get a new fan for my Lorex DVR. the OE heat sink was set with a 25x25x1 thermal pad. I've read that a thermal compound is better that the pads, and I always us it when building a new desktop. What concerns me with using it instead of a pad is the DVR chip looks quite different than the desktop CPU. Instead of a smooth case, it appears to be two exposed small integrated circuits mounted on sort of a circuit board. So, can I just smear some thermal compound on the exposed small chips and set the heatsink/fan on in the normal manner?

 

[kellys_eye]

Yes - although the pad system is a lot more forgiving for pressure stress. Get the heatsink fitting 'off-level' and you risk chipping the chip.....

 

[Ed Sowell]

Yes - although the pad system is a lot more forgiving for pressure stress. Get the heatsink fitting 'off-level' and you risk chipping the chip.....

Thanks. Think I'll use the pad just to be safe. It worked that way for 3 years before the fan failed.