Hello systemlogic.net members. I have purchased an AMD 1Ghz Thunderbird chip and I will be making the necassary alterations to the L1 bridges to allow multiplier changes.

I have read quite a bit about the pencil trick. From www.bxboards.com in their "overclocking tips" article, they state:

"A 0.5mm or smaller mechanical pencil with soft lead (BB or 2B hardness) is recommended. At first it was thought that this method might not be a long term solution, however many users have reported no problems after 6 months of use so it should not cause any serious problems."

As of now I am planning on using the pencil trick on my new processor. How reliable is this trick? I wont be moving the heatsink off frequently once it is installed, so I don't plan on the pencil rubbing off. My new heatsink to be mounted with my new CPU is the www.kdcomputers.com CPC-30370, reviewed here at http://www.amdmb.com/article-display.php?ArticleID=72

It doesn't twist on like an orb cooler so it shouldn't rub off any pencil marks on the L1 bridges. In theory, If I leave the installation untouched, this pencil trick should last a very long time.

Comments? Suggestions? Please post here.

I used a 2B lead pencil. I overclocked my new 1 gigahertz Thunderbird to 1.4 Ghz. No problems thus far. I originally posted this article, but login problems unfortunetely did not make my name the thread starter. I have a feeling my fellow systemlogic.net forumites are not replying to this because it is unregistered. So Dave, great site, just make it registered thread starters only.

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ECS K7S5A
T-Bird 1400
NO O/C! "AAAAAUUUU"

No...we've just been busy!

By all accounts I've read, the pencil trick is actually the *safest* way to do it. People have really fuXX0r3d their Athlons by trying to use conductive pens and leaking too much fluid onto the processor.

You might want to consider getting a shim for the processor. This way you can mount that heatsink all day long, and not worry about rubbing the traces on the surface of the processor package.

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"And knowing is half the battle!"

Absolutely THE best way to link those L1 Bridges. Thats right people forget about conductive pen. Just hope you have good eyesight, otherwise, borrow someone with 20-20 Vision. My brother has great vision, and he helped me confirm they were all connected properly. And if you make a mistake, just erase, and try again. Be sure to use the right pencil lead. 2B I think it is. Get it at your local University Office Supply Store.

I used a mechanical 0.5 mm pencil, and all went very well. Has beeen for like 7/8 mos now

2B led works, apparently, from a poster above...are there any led types which are known not to work?

Pencil lead is long term as long as you don't tough the traces that you make.

Perhaps a thin coat of clear nail polish/hardener over your fresh penciling can make the paranoid more confident in the durability of the pencil lead, but all and all, no problems.

I don't suggest the shim idea, though. The shim is a bad idea, with or without penciling.

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Hey. What kind of party is this? There's no booze and only one hooker. -- Bender (Futurama)

I've read placing scotch tape over your pencil trick makes it
almost impossible to erase.
Can't remember the site but it was one of the overclocking
sites. AMD I think.

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Serious Soldier

We hear so many different methods!

I'd be afraid the tape would melt. Now THAT would be a mess I would not want to clean.

People, Have No Fear! Just use your 20/20 vision, your 2B pencil lead, make the marks, install your heatsink, and forget about the whole thing. I've had no problems.

Take a look at this:

http://216.157.14.244/trace.htm

It's a trace-unlocker kit that not only shorts the bridges, but it protects them like a piece of tape! It's rather pricey, but very professional!

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"And knowing is half the battle!"

The tape won't melt. You're putting it on the ceramic, not the die. The die gets upwards of 90 degrees C, but the ceramic never exceeds 60.

We place inventory stickers over where the CPUs say "Made In Malaysia" and never have a problem.

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Hey. What kind of party is this? There's no booze and only one hooker. -- Bender (Futurama)

The above post by you is the best answer I've seen so
far in any forum ref the tape.

You get an A++ my man.

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Serious Soldier

Chalk it up to experience my friend. Experience.

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Hey. What kind of party is this? There's no booze and only one hooker. -- Bender (Futurama)

I am sure the tape works great as noted above. But I am using 2B pencil and it works absolutely great. Zero problems. even removed and reinstalled my hatsink last night and didnt have to reapply the pencil marks. Save $, buy a pencil. People make mistakes, thats why an eraser is a lifesaver.

__________________
ECS K7S5A
T-Bird 1400
NO O/C! "AAAAAUUUU"

the tape is put over the pencil trick to make it
stay longer.

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Serious Soldier