Noctua Unveils NA-TPG1: A Thermal Paste Guard for AMD AM5

[ToboRobot]

6 minutes ago, CommanderAlex said:

 

 

I'm curious to know if there is going to be a AM5 revision that will slightly change the socket and make the IHS thinner. 

If they break backward compatibility that might be an option.  I personally don't think the engineering to maintain cooler compatibility was worthwhile.

Edited October 10, 2022 by ToboRobot
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[Quackers101]

wasn't quite able to see what it was in the picture.

but if it's just a clear plastic bit, it doesn't seem like it "solves" that much. Also if its mostly cosmetic reasons and when to resell the product.

But I got to agree, AMD could maybe make the design better and for coolers? now it also seems harder to handle too, due to the weird shape.

[CommanderAlex]

Just now, Quackers101 said:

wasn't quite able to see what it was in the picture.

but if it's just a clear plastic bit, it doesn't seem like it "solves" that much. Also if its mostly cosmetic reasons and when to resell the product.

But I got to agree, AMD could maybe make the design better and for coolers? now it also seems harder to handle too, due to the weird shape.

That's correct, it's the clear plastic piece to prevent excess thermal paste from going in between the notches. 

[aisle9]

21 hours ago, GoodBytes said:

You know, all they needed to do is sell thermal paste with just enough to do 1 CPU, so as you use the whole tube, assuming you put it at the center, it won't spill out, as you can't put more than what is given. Much simpler.

"Noctua Singles: When you only need a little"

[NumLock21]

My guess as to why that made this is because, this is the first time AMD has gone with LGA, and they may have some concerns with users using too much thermal paste, to the point where it may ooze out from the sides when the CPU cooler is installed. This guarnd protect the cpu, and  the socket. Hey if there is one for Intel CPUs, I would probably get one to ease my mind knowing, in case there was too much thermal paste, at least it won't seep into the socket and onto the socket pins.

 

[Sir Beregond]

2 minutes ago, NumLock21 said:

My guess as to why that made this is because, this is the first time AMD has gone with LGA, and they may have some concerns with users using too much thermal paste, to the point where it may ooze out from the sides when the CPU cooler is installed. This guarnd protect the cpu, and  the socket. Hey if there is one for Intel CPUs, I would probably get one to ease my mind knowing, in case there was too much thermal paste, at least it won't seep into the socket and onto the socket pins.

 

This is not the first time AMD has done LGA. Threadripper and EPYC server sockets are LGA.

[NumLock21]

2 minutes ago, Sir Beregond said:

This is not the first time AMD has done LGA. Threadripper and EPYC server sockets are LGA.

But the socket covers the entire CPU, this is no large gaps like socket AM5. Also Ryzen 7000 is more accessible (in terms of price) to everyone, where as Threadripper and EPYC isn't. Speaking of LGA, yes AMD did have them even way before this with their Opterons.

[Sir Beregond]

22 minutes ago, NumLock21 said:

But the socket covers the entire CPU, this is no large gaps like socket AM5. Also Ryzen 7000 is more accessible (in terms of price) to everyone, where as Threadripper and EPYC isn't. Speaking of LGA, yes AMD did have them even way before this with their Opterons.

To be clear, the problem here isn't that thermal paste is going to get into the AM5 socket. Its that because of the IHS design, it will get into the areas that have SMD's on the CPU where the notches in the IHS are, making it a bugger to clean.

[NumLock21]

3 hours ago, Sir Beregond said:

To be clear, the problem here isn't that thermal paste is going to get into the AM5 socket. Its that because of the IHS design, it will get into the areas that have SMD's on the CPU where the notches in the IHS are, making it a bugger to clean.

I know they designed it just for the SMDs on the CPU, but with excessive thermal paste, there is also a what if chance (have to picture the worst case scenario here) it may get on to surrounding areas, where you don't want thermal paste to be. Not everyone is going to be meticulous when handling/installing a CPU or when they're doing maintenance. The product has its purpose otherwise Noctua and Thermal Grizzly (so far the only 2 companies that has it), won't be wasting their time making it. 
edit:

For Noctua that CPU guard isn't even sold on its own, it's bundled with their "AM5 Edition" thermal paste and cleaning kit.