Athlon 64 has just as many other new processor models a heatspreader protecting the actual core and at the same distribute the heat across a larger surface to make it easier to fit a cooler on top of the processor. There is a problem with this though and it’s that you get an extra conductor through which heat has to transfer before enterig the surrounding air, something that inhibts even the most efficient coolers. Intel’s LGA775 processors are extremely hard to dismember and many have accidently killed their processors when trying to remove the heatspreader. AMD’s Athlon 64 processors are considerably easier to work with and at Overclockersclub they’ve published an article that shows both how to perform this operation and what you have to gain from this when using just a regular air cooler.
The results are actually very impressive or what would you say about a 22°C lower temperature, from 65°C at full load down to 43°C with the same cooler and processor. This sounds almost too good to be true but if the heatspreader was a bit crooked or slightly malplaced from factory you can easily gain many degrees. You will most likely not gain this much with all Athlon 64 processors but there may still be a lot to gain for those in complete control of their nerves and in possession of a steady hand.
