+++
date = 2024-04-07
title = "Peel before use: mistakes were made"
tags = ["protip", "immich", "photos"]
+++

The stock AMD Wraith cooler on my linux box was getting loud. Since I recently migrated the complete system from a (too) tight mini-ATX case to a larger [Corsair 4000D Airflow](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/pc-cases/cc-9011200-ww/4000d-airflow-tempered-glass-mid-tower-atx-case-black-cc-9011200-ww), I decided to splurge on some new cooling. 

[Thermalright](https://www.thermalright.com/) has a nice and affordable offering of CPU coolers and case fans. 

So when my [Peerless Assassin 120](https://www.thermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120/) arrived I immediately set out to install it. You know where this is going...

Upon booting up I ran `stress-ng` to put some load on my CPU and see what amazingly cool my Ryzen 3700X would stay. Well, it hit 94C within 10 seconds. Not good. Idling at about 50-60C.

![Please peel before use](/images/2024/04/remove-before-use.jpg)

So yeah. It turns out plastic "Peel before use" are not great thermal conductors. 

With the plastic now removed and _the perfect amount of thermal paste_ the CPU runs at 35-40C at idle and < 70C when at full load for 5 minutes. Noice!