Help with first time GPU thermal compund application

[KBD]

I'm about to install a Thermaltake DuOrb cooler on my BFG 8800 GTS 512 and i would to get some tips on thermal compound application before i proceed. This is my first time doing this so i would like to get a couple of questions answered, i'll be using AC MX 2 by the way:

1. Exactly how much thermal compound do i need to apply?

2. Do i apply it to both the GPU and the heatsink or only to one of them?

3. Where exactly do i apply it, at the center?

3. Do i need to spread it after applying it and if i do what do i use?

I'm using the guide listed below for everything else, even though the guy is installing an Accelero S1, but there is a lot of good info there with pics, one thing that is not discussed there is the thermal compund application because that cooler already comes with Mx 2 preapplied.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1261100

I also read some reviews for this cooler, however none tell you how to apply thermal compund. If anyone can help me please do, and if someone ownes this same cooler and can offer suggestions i'd appreciate that as well.

 

[choppy]

just like cpu application, a blob in the center of the gpu the size of half a grain of rice, than make sure the cooler is seated firmly and the pressure will flatten out the paste. if you put too much on then the paste will ooze out the sides

 

[KBD]

Lol, i realize that CPU and GPU thermal compund application is almost the same, however i had someone i know install my CPU, this was my first build and i wasn't sure how to do it. So from what i understand there is no need to apply the compound to the heatsink, just the GPU, correct?

 

[DOM]

Just the GPU

 

[KBD]

Thanks guys, you were very helpful

 

[choppy]

let us know how it works out and temps

 

[KBD]

Yes, most definately, and i'm expecting it to help a great deal and i'll be able to overclock the card.

 

[Tatty_Two]

Yes, most definately, and i'm expecting it to help a great deal and i'll be able to overclock the card.

So does yours run hot? I run my MSI OC dition at 830mhz on the core, fanspeed at just 70% and never exceed 68C. I like the dual slot, keeps that hot air outside the case!

 

[KBD]

Not too hot, GPU idle around 42-45 C, load around 60-62C, but the card is not overclocked (except for a factory oc of the core to 675), thats why i got the DuOrb so i can overclock. I also have a little 80mm TT PCI slot cooler that exhausts air out of the case. Don't know if the temps reported by ATI Tool and Everest are accurate though, Everst used to read the diode temp of my old 8800GTS 640 which was always highrer than the GPU temp, but not on this new G92 card

 

[Tatty_Two]

Not too hot, GPU idle around 42-45 C, load around 60-62C, but the card is not overclocked (except for a factory oc of the core to 675), thats why i got the DuOrb so i can overclock. I also have a little 80mm TT PCI slot cooler that exhausts air out of the case. Don't know if the temps reported by ATI Tool and Everest are accurate though, Everst used to read the diode temp of my old 8800GTS 640 which was always highrer than the GPU temp, but not on this new G92 card

From those temps....you dont need the orb to overclock, as I said, with stock cooler at 830 core my temps are low, these chips are happy at 90C, mine never hits 70C, I have found ATi tool to be pretty accurate.

 

[KBD]

Yea, you are probably right, but the Orb is so nice looking i couldn't pass it up, it will match my case theme very well. And the cooler the card runs the better.