Contact frame or not ?

[gasolin]

Quick question

 

Do i need a contact frame for an i3 14100 ?

[Dedayog]

3 minutes ago, gasolin said:

Quick question

 

Do i need a contact frame for an i3 14100 ?

No.  Won't impact performance of that chip at all.

[leclod]

19 minutes ago, gasolin said:

Do i need a contact frame for an i3 14100 ?

I got one on my 12400. I don't really need it but I like to have it.

It does improve the paste pattern.

Edited May 1, 2025 by leclod

[gasolin]

it' the bending and accoring to toms hardware it does effect the temps

[Tan3l6]

14100 consumes so little power it really makes minimal difference.

[AndrewAsd]

No. It might not even make a difference in the first place depending on luck, and best case scenarios you're saving a couple degrees celsisus which makes absolutely no difference for performance unless you're overclocking, especially on an i3. You're better off taking that 20$ and buying an i5 14400 instead of i3 and a contact frame.

[YoungBlade]

12 minutes ago, gasolin said:

it' the bending and accoring to toms hardware it does effect the temps

But with an i3, the temperature really doesn't matter unless it's up to 100C. It's not going to impact performance until it thermal throttles. And in that case, it's probably a case airflow or cooler issue more than something to fix with a contact frame.

[gasolin]

 

 

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-lga1700-bcf-contact-frame

 

[Dedayog]

8 minutes ago, gasolin said:

 

 

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-lga1700-bcf-contact-frame

 

May have missed this section...

 

Asus + i9-13900K Thermal Results

I theorized that since Intel’s i9-13900K can run hotter than other LGA1700 chips, it should see more of a temperature improvement with Thermalright’s frame. So I installed it on Asus’ TUF Gaming Z690 Plus WIFI DDR5 motherboard, pairing it with DeepCool’s AG620 air cooler.

The results were utterly underwhelming; I didn’t see a difference in cooling effectiveness whatsoever. There wasn’t any problem with cooler contact to begin with in this configuration, and as such I didn’t see any improvement in temperature. 

The temperature results of every single thermal scenario I tested here were, within margin of error, exactly the same. I was a bit disappointed with this result, because Intel’s i9-13900K can be difficult to keep cool in some scenarios

[leclod]

24 minutes ago, gasolin said:

Experience tells my otherwise, my cpu was held in the Intel ILM first.

Since changing to contact frame I had to dismount it a few times and the paste pattern each time is smooth, unlike before.

To me the damage isn't done for good (even without the experience I'd doubt it, it seems obvious).

Edited May 1, 2025 by leclod

[Ebony Falcon]

Thermalight one made big difference for me 

[Curllee]

It seems super weird that Linus has not ever done a video on contact frames and give his opinion, especially since the lga 1700 socket launched several years ago. This seems to be an ongoing popular debate everywhere (here, Reddit, Tom's, YouTube). Most of the the other popular pc tech channels have covered it.

[YoungBlade]

6 hours ago, Curllee said:

It seems super weird that Linus has not ever done a video on contact frames and give his opinion, especially since the lga 1700 socket launched several years ago. This seems to be an ongoing popular debate everywhere (here, Reddit, Tom's, YouTube). Most of the the other popular pc tech channels have covered it.

The fact that it's been covered so much elsewhere is likely the reason LTT hasn't made a video. What more is there to say that hasn't been said?

 

If you're getting a high end recent Intel CPU (7 or 9 series), then using a contact frame can reduce temperatures by a meaningful amount. If you intend to overclock an i5 13600K, 14600K, or U5 245K, it can help there, too.

 

In all other situations, the benefits are negligible.

 

Are you hoping that Labs will find some unexpected results that every other outlet missed? Or that Linus will have a take that somehow shifts the general understanding of the products?

[Curllee]

I just find it odd for someone with his experience that he has never weighed in on it.  Not sure why you seem so critical of me asking. And not all the other sources say the same thing as you. Your opinion is different from many others I have seen, but it varies greatly with different builds. With all due respect, I would rather see his opinion than yours. 

[Pusbucket]

15 minutes ago, Curllee said:

I just find it odd for someone with his experience that he has never weighed in on it.  Not sure why you seem so critical of me asking. And not all the other sources say the same thing as you. Your opinion is different from many others I have seen, but it varies greatly with different builds. With all due respect, I would rather see his opinion than yours. 

Maybe you are affording Linus abilities and insight above other mere mortals. Why? he is just another guy.

chances are some folks on this forum may actually posses more knowledge than Linus.

Plus do you actually think the guy checks in on this forum to answer questions? C'mon, be realistic. 

 

IMHO I like them aesthetically, they look a lot nicer than the stock solution.

One thing I have never heard mentioned and admittedly it is probably insignificant, BUT  considering these are a solid block of aluminum that are making contact around all sides of the CPU, aren't they acting as a passive heatsink as well?

[gasolin]

3 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

aren't they acting as a passive heatsink as well?

I don't think they are close enough to where the heat is

[Pusbucket]

Just now, gasolin said:

I don't think they are close enough to where the heat is

they actually touch the cpu around all edges, heat radiates, if it's in contact, it's absorbing heat. simple physics.

the amount may be minimal, but it is still absorbing heat if it's in contact with the heat producing component.

[Curllee]

On 6/6/2025 at 5:49 PM, jmwhite33 said:

IMHO I like them aesthetically, they look a lot nicer than the stock solution.

They're hidden under the cooler. lol. Unless you're type of person who likes to disassemble his pc occasionally just to get turned on by the aesthetic of a contract frame.

[Blue4130]

On 6/7/2025 at 5:58 AM, jmwhite33 said:

they actually touch the cpu around all edges, heat radiates, if it's in contact, it's absorbing heat. simple physics.

the amount may be minimal, but it is still absorbing heat if it's in contact with the heat producing component.

Except they don't touch the heat producing part. They touch the substrate that the heat producing part is attached to. 

[daygeckoart]

I always use them because they reduce stress and bending on the CPU, not because of better cooling. The cooling improvement is only because a bent CPU has less contact area.

[Pusbucket]

On 6/7/2025 at 4:04 PM, Blue4130 said:

Except they don't touch the heat producing part. They touch the substrate that the heat producing part is attached to. 

actually they contact the two "ears" and all around the outer edge of the IHS, not the PCB substrate

 

On 6/7/2025 at 3:49 PM, Curllee said:

They're hidden under the cooler. lol. Unless you're type of person who likes to disassemble his pc occasionally just to get turned on by the aesthetic of a contract frame.

Oh, I see, like RGB junk inside a case when people spend most time looking at the monitor. 

contact frames provide a cleaner looking, more secure solution.

[Blue4130]

7 hours ago, jmwhite33 said:

actually they contact the two "ears" and all around the outer edge of the IHS, not the PCB substrate

Are you sure? The pictures show that the rear of the frame is milled out where the ears and edge are. 

Spoiler

Even if it does contact, the surface area in contact and the distance to where the heat in generated (the dies) will really limit how much heat is transfered. I would be shocked it if was more than a fraction of a degree.

[Pusbucket]

4 minutes ago, Blue4130 said:

Are you sure? The pictures show that the rear of the frame is milled out where the ears and edge are. 

  Reveal hidden contents

Even if it does contact, the surface area in contact and the distance to where the heat in generated (the dies) will really limit how much heat is transfered. I would be shocked it if was more than a fraction of a degree.

TRUE, but  heat radiates and

in a world where folks stress over 5-10 FPS more and are more than willing to shell out mega $$$ for the bragging rights....

 

every little bit helps, even if we never actual see it aside from extreme benchmarks.

[gasolin]

1 minute ago, jmwhite33 said:

TRUE,

but in a world where folks stress over 5-10 FPS more and are more than willing to shell out mega $$$ for the bragging rights....

 

every little bit helps, even if we never actual see it aside from extreme benchmarks.

it's not like it's super expensive 10 euros dollars, not more than a tube of quality thermal paste

 

It's surpose to help with the retention arm that puts alot of pressure on the mb,cpu and can make it bend, a contact frame prevents it form happening

 

Im now on a 13600kf

[Pusbucket]

4 minutes ago, gasolin said:

 

It's surpose to help with the retention arm that puts alot of pressure on the mb,cpu and can make it bend, a contact frame prevents it form happening

 

Im now on a 13600kf

I think it should become either the standard retention system or at least an option from the MOBO manufacturers.

It certainly is a better solution.