Computer enthusiast Xaver Amberger showed how using M4 washers can reduce the operating temperature of 12th generation Intel Core desktop processors on the Alder Lake microarchitecture by 5 ° C. To do this, you need to slightly modify the standard fastening mechanism on the motherboard to hold the processor in the LGA 1700 socket.
Xaver Amberger described in detail in his study that due to the larger and rectangular size of the LGA 1700 socket, the ILM (Independent Loading Mechanism) that supports the processor in this socket cannot properly press the top cover to the processor so as not to slightly bend the processor itself in the middle. This happens to all processors and literally to a fraction of a millimeter. The regular protective heatsink of the processor also undergoes a physical change and bends a little after being installed in such a socket and fixing the ILM for a while.
Standard LGA 1700 socket IML mechanism.
The researcher explained that such a small physical change in the processor does not affect its performance, but on the other hand, it does not allow external radiators of the cooling system to be pressed tightly against the processor.
The Intel Alder Lake processor after several tens of hours of work in the LGA 1700 socket is slightly arched.
In fact, once installed, the CPU center is now lower, the base of the external cooler cannot make optimal contact across the entire surface area, as the heat has to travel a greater distance through the thermal paste filling the resulting gap.
A small gap in the center of the CPU heatsink.
The researcher figured out how to refine the ILM attachment mechanism so that the processor could not be bent. He unscrewed 4 screws and removed the ILM mechanism.
Then the enthusiast placed ordinary M4 washers under the mounting screws. He experimented with different thicknesses of washers - from 0.5 mm to 1.3 mm. As a result, it turned out that washers with a thickness of 1 mm are optimal.
After installing the washers and conducting a whole series of tests, the IT specialist found out that the revision of the motherboard made it possible to actually reduce the operating temperature of the Intel Alder Lake desktop processors by several degrees. With washers with a thickness of 0.5 or 0.8 mm - by almost 3°C, with 1 mm - by 5.76°C, but on washers of 1.3 mm it became worse again - the temperature dropped by only 5°C.
The enthusiast concluded that, most likely, manufacturers of cooling systems will take into account this feature of Intel Alder Lake and will make a convex base for the cooler radiators so that the system has direct contact over the entire area with the processor. In any case, he recommends using nylon washers in an ILM mount only at your own risk and only if absolutely necessary.
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