The Consequences of Leaving Plastic on CPU Cooler

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Forgetting Essential Components during PC Builds
• The Experiment: Leaving the Plastic on the Cooler
• testing with Different Chips
• Results: Ryzen 1200 AF on Stock Wraith Stealth Cooler
• Results: Ryzen 1200 AF on Hyper 212 with Plastic On
• Results: Ryzen 3700X on Hyper 212 with Plastic On
• Potential Long-term Effects
• Conclusion

Introduction

In today's video, we will be conducting a thought experiment that many PC builders can relate to. Often, during the process of building a PC, certain components are forgotten or overlooked. Common issues include leaving the I/O shield on the motherboard or forgetting to remove the plastic protective cover on the cooler. In this experiment, we will explore the implications of leaving the plastic on the cooler for an extended period of time. We will run stress tests on multiple chips to observe the potential repercussions. Let's see what happens when you accidentally leave the plastic on your cooler and the consequences it may have.

Forgetting Essential Components during PC Builds

Building a PC can be an exciting but intricate process. Even experienced builders can sometimes overlook critical components. From personal experience, there have been instances where the plastic cover on the cooler was unintentionally left on. Despite conscious reminders, it's surprisingly easy to forget such small details. In this experiment, we aim to investigate the impact of leaving the plastic on the cooler for an extended period.

The Experiment: Leaving the Plastic on the Cooler

To perform this experiment, we will use the Hyper 212 cooler with the plastic still intact. The cooler has not been modified or reinstalled specifically for this experiment. We will stress test different chips, starting with the Ryzen 1200 AF, to observe any changes in temperature and performance. By running various tests, we will gain insight into the consequences of leaving the plastic on the cooler.

Testing with Different Chips

In this experiment, we are keen to observe how different chips react to the cooler with the plastic still on. Our initial test will be conducted using the Ryzen 1200 AF on the stock Wraith Stealth cooler as a baseline temperature. We will then compare this with the Ryzen 1200 AF on the Hyper 212 cooler with the plastic intact. Additionally, we will test the Ryzen 3700X and the i9-9900K to analyze how each chip handles the cooler with the plastic still in place.

Results: Ryzen 1200 AF on Stock Wraith Stealth Cooler

Before commencing with our experiment, we established a baseline temperature by testing the Ryzen 1200 AF on the stock Wraith Stealth cooler. After subjecting the chip to a stress test at 100% load for approximately 13 minutes, the temperature remained at a steady 60 degrees Celsius. This initial result provided a reference point for further comparison.

Results: Ryzen 1200 AF on Hyper 212 with Plastic On

Continuing our experiment, we installed the Hyper 212 cooler with the plastic protective cover still attached on the Ryzen 1200 AF chip. Running a stress test for 10 minutes, we closely monitored the temperature. Surprisingly, the temperature stabilized at around 63.5 to 64 degrees Celsius, only 4 degrees higher than the stock cooler under the same conditions. While this increase is not ideal, it is within an acceptable range for most users.

Results: Ryzen 3700X on Hyper 212 with Plastic On

Moving on to a more powerful chip, the Ryzen 3700X, we repeated the experiment using the Hyper 212 cooler with the plastic cover still in place. The temperature immediately rose to 50 degrees Celsius upon initiating the stress test. Within seconds, it climbed to 85-86 degrees Celsius, eventually reaching 95 degrees Celsius, the thermal limit for this chip. Although the clock speeds remained stable initially, we observed a minor drop of 10 megahertz after ten minutes of testing.

Potential Long-term Effects

While our experiment focused on immediate impacts, it raises the question of potential long-term effects of leaving the plastic cover on the cooler. It is plausible that extended periods of high temperatures, especially on higher-end chips, could lead to damage or detrimental effects on performance. A more comprehensive long-term test would be necessary to thoroughly explore this subject.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the consequences of leaving the plastic cover on the cooler vary depending on the chip being used. Our experiment indicated that lower-end chips, such as the Ryzen 1200 AF, are relatively unaffected by this oversight. However, higher-end chips, like the Ryzen 3700X, experience significant increases in temperature and potential thermal throttling. While immediate performance loss was limited, long-term effects cannot be ruled out. It is important for PC builders to pay attention to all aspects of the build process to ensure optimal performance and longevity of their systems.

Highlights:

• Forgetting essential components is a common mistake during PC builds
• Leaving the plastic cover on the cooler can have varying consequences
• Lower-end chips show minimal impact, while higher-end chips experience notable temperature increases
• Immediate performance loss is limited, but long-term effects may occur
• Attention to detail is crucial for optimal PC performance and longevity

FAQ

Q: What happens if you leave the plastic on the cooler? Leaving the plastic on the cooler can result in increased temperatures and potential thermal throttling, especially on higher-end chips.

Q: Do lower-end chips show any noticeable impact from leaving the plastic on the cooler? Lower-end chips, such as the Ryzen 1200 AF, tend to have minimal temperature increases when the plastic cover is left on the cooler.

Q: Are there any long-term effects of leaving the plastic on the cooler? Extended periods of high temperatures may lead to potential damage or performance degradation over time, particularly on higher-end chips.

Q: Is it recommended to remove the plastic cover from the cooler? It is advisable to remove the plastic cover from the cooler before installation to ensure optimal cooling and performance.