People like making a big deal out of this when it's not. A pea sized blob in the middle will be fine.
Jesus christ Erocker a pea sized amount? you must be getting lazy in your ol age or your running really gouged heatsinks. All you need is a BB sized amount in the center of the cpu and clamp her all down. The heat and pressure will do the rest... Remember less is better..
If I dabbed a pea sixed amount on my cooler the thermal paste would be oozing out the sides fore sure.
OP I missed what cpu your running. oh wait he didn't fill in the blanks...
AS5 use a BB sized amount set directly on the middle of the cpu.
MX-4 use a slightly bit more..
IC Dimond use a BB sized amount...
I do mine like this .
After cleaning every thing off with alcohol , I put a pee sized blob of AS5 on the center of the IHS I then take a Ziploc baggy and stick my finger in the bag and wrap it around so I have my finger covered really good no wrinkles in the bag and spread it around all over the IHS covering it good ( For better results it is better to get some rubber gloves from the pharmacy ) . Then I just put my WB on and I am good to go .
Good way of doing it but next time after doing the baggy applie method, get a dry lint free rag and wipe off all the compound and then applie a bb sized amount to the cpu...that way your removing all the excess amount as already the fine imperfections are filled in...the paste is filling in the tiny micro scratches and such and thats all...
Lapp your block and cpu and when dry and done right when you place the two objects together they will act like a magnet and then you need not applie any paste
I should make a thread when I have time with lots of pix and different techniques on how to applie paste just to show but whats the sence... there's a ton of articals on this matter.
Trial and error my friend...
Try different ways other members recommend... set and clamp the cooler on and pull it off. Look at the way the paste spreads and decide for yourself...