C64 Hardware Question

[rossb]

Hi,

Firstly apologies if this is not the right place to post this but I have just acquired an original C64 (after not owning one since 1989)

My question is around heatsinks etc for the 6581 and 6510 chips and also the 6569R3 Graphics chip. I opened up my C64 case to check serial numbers etc and post to the C64 preservation board and noticed that there was thermal paste on both the SID chip and the Graphics chip but NO heatsinks. Is this normal (I never opened my original C64 back in 1985).

My Board assembly number is 250425 1984. does anyone have any ideas or suggestions as I don't want to fry the box because of missing heatsinks etc. I find it odd that there was thermal paste but no heatsinks.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Ross.

[rbernardo]

I opened up my C64 case to check serial numbers etc and post to the C64 preservation board and noticed that there was thermal paste on both the SID chip and the Graphics chip but NO heatsinks. Is this normal (I never opened my original C64 back in 1985).

If there is thermal paste, then the metal shield on top of the motherboard is supposed to have metal "fingers" making contact with the chips, i.e., the metal shield is the heatsink. The paste is there to help the chips transmit the heat to the fingers and to the rest of the metal shield.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org

[rossb]

Hi Robert,

Thankyou for your reply, much appreciated. I understand the purpose of the paste, but unfortunately there is NO metal shiled at all. I suspect someone has removed it for whatever reason during the boxes lifetime. I guess the question is really is it safe to run without the heatsink/shield or should I attempt to get hold of a replacement and reapply the paste and reinstall the shield? If so do you or any of the other memebers have any ideas as to where I might acquire the shiled?

Many Thanks in advance,

Ross.

[rbernardo]

I guess the question is really is it safe to run without the heatsink/shield...

To be on the safe side, the chips should be heat-sinked.

...or should I attempt to get hold of a replacement and reapply the paste and reinstall the shield? If so do you or any of the other members have any ideas as to where I might acquire the shiled?

The only way to get the shield is to obtain from another C64. An easier method would be to remove the paste and glue a heatsink on top of each chip.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org

[rossb]

Hi Robert,

Many thanks for your advice. I have ordered some Video Card memory heat sinks and will affix these to the 6510,PLA,6581 and VIC-II using Artic Silver Epoxy.

Again I appreciate your help,

Regards,

Ross.

[rbernardo]

I have ordered some Video Card memory heat sinks and will affix these to the 6510,PLA,6581 and VIC-II using Artic Silver Epoxy.

No problem. I have yet to heatsink the vital chips on my C128DCR.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org

[rossb]

All done now, hopefully they will last another 25 years!

Many Thanks,

Ross.