Torque screwdriver for contact frame

[mafflez]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend me a torque screwdriver for use with a 12th gen contact frame.

Basically, I suspect I am unable to get even pressure across my cpu because there is a high level of variance in temps between cores. In some cases 8 degrees or higher.

Thermal Grizzly says I need 0.06 Nm (Newton-meters) of torque applied. Could someone direct me to a torque screwdriver that I can buy that would be appropriate?

The info for the contact frame is here: Thermal Grizzly Intel 12th Gen CPU Contact Frame Mounting Aid (thermal-grizzly.com)

Thanks!

[ucav117]

That is a very small amount of torque. Won’t be cheap for a legit torque driver.

CDI Micro Adjustable Torque Screwdriver, 1/4 Inch Hex Drive, Range 10-80 cNm...

EDIT: Actually I don’t think that even goes small enough. Are you sure that is the torque they specify?

[homeserver78]

@mafflez

Thermal Grizzly says I need 0.06 Nm (Newton-meters) of torque applied.

Yeah that torque spec is very likely to be incorrect. I’d say it’s one to two orders of magnitude (10x-100x) wrong.

Anyway: rather than buying an expensive torque wrench for a single use, you could just use a normal 90° “allen wrench” (i.e. the typical “bent metal bar” type) and a kitchen scale:

1. Measure the distance from the centerline of the screw to the end of the wrench. Let’s say you get 120 mm.
2. Calculate the force needed at the end of the wrench to get the required torque: F [N] = T [Nm] / d [m]. So, using the above values, F = 0.06 Nm / 0.120 m = 0.5 N.
3. Divide the force in newtons by the Earth’s constant of acceleration (1 gee ≈ 9.81 m/s²): 0.5 N / 9.81 m/s² ≈ 51 g.
4. Tighten the screw by pushing the end of the wrench using the kitchen scale until it reads 51 grams. Done!