Thermal paste

[vychytraly]

Hi hou

Im gonna reseat CPU cooler.
I was reading a lot about applying a thermal paste but now Im more concerned than before.

Whats the best way for applying thermal paste? Just a dot in the middle? Spreading? Or some other?

/and if dot - how big should the dot be (as peas?)

Thank you very much

[erocker]

People like making a big deal out of this when it's not. A pea sized blob in the middle will be fine.

[Norton]

^ ^ This

Just follow the instructions from your thermal paste provider

AS 5 or MX 4 thermal pastes are frequently recommended

I've been using a small pea or BB sized drop since my first build and no problems after a couple of dozen or so builds later

[Jetster]

Instructions

http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm

[purecain]

if you want the best results, get a plastic bag and tear a corner off... force your finger into the plastic so that it stretches the bag around your finger so as to be skin tight...

now put a pea sized amount of thermal paste onto the cpu and rub it in to the cpu so as to fill as many microscopic holes as possible.

try to make it thicker in the center. i also rub/tint a tiny layer onto the cpu cooler and fill any big gaps completely... builders secret... after 10 years ive decided to share... usually 1-5c differance to just placing the pea sized dot 80% of the time...

just try to avoid putting too much on...

[trickson]

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 .

[purecain]

ahhh i didnt think anyone else used this method... nice one trickson....

[trickson]

Originally Posted by purecain

ahhh i didnt think anyone else used this method... nice one trickson....

LOL been doing this for the last 6 years . works great and also puts my mind at rest , See I know I covered it all I know it is done right .

[MGF Derp]

Originally Posted by purecain

ahhh i didnt think anyone else used this method... nice one trickson....

Pretty sure lots of people use that method. I have and its good. Or if I am lazy I just make a line and call it good.

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Pee is reliable and simple, but I find the X to be the absolute best. More likely to get coverage on the far corners with the X. The manual spreading stuff is just a pain in the ass and unnecessary.

[fullinfusion]

Originally Posted by erocker

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...

Originally Posted by trickson

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...

[vychytraly]

So I just put a dot in the middle and paid attention if it doesnt spread outside the cooler... Thank you very much for your responses When ill fit an aftermarket cooler Ill use some more sophisticated metod

[fullinfusion]

Originally Posted by vychytraly

So I just put a dot in the middle and paid attention if it doesnt spread outside the cooler... Thank you very much for your responses When ill fit an aftermarket cooler Ill use some more sophisticated metod

What cpu you using?
If its a quad then put 4 *smaller then a BB* sized dabs where you can in-vision the 4 cores and go with that.

[vychytraly]

i7 870

[brandonwh64]

Im a credit card spreader. I put 4-5 pea size spots on the CPU then take a credit card and smooth it out evenly.

[vychytraly]

But I had a problem that Thermal paste sticked to credit card, instead of staying on IHS

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by vychytraly

But I had a problem that Thermal paste sticked to credit card, instead of staying on IHS

Some pastes do that but continue pressing as you spread and it will finally even out.

[fullinfusion]

Originally Posted by vychytraly

i7 870

Thanks, just do the BB amount in the center.

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Im a credit card spreader. I put 4-5 pea size spots on the CPU then take a credit card and smooth it out evenly.

Booooo... lol

Originally Posted by vychytraly

But I had a problem that Thermal paste sticked to credit card, instead of staying on IHS

Booooo... on you to!

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Some pastes do that but continue pressing as you spread and it will finally even out.

Yup with the cpu heating and cooling causes the paste to move and settle itself out

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by fullinfusion

Thanks, just do the BB amount in the center.


Booooo... lol


Booooo... on you to!


Yup with the cpu heating and cooling causes the paste to move and settle itself out

I make applying thermal paste like I would making a good meal! It takes time!

[vychytraly]

Ok ok, so now just rather help me with this instead of arguing (just a joke )

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...18#post2507718

without cooler I just cant try the applying of thermal paste again

Thank you very much for your responses, I really appreciate it

[vychytraly]

Ok ok, so now just rather help me with this instead of arguing (just a joke )

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...18#post2507718

without cooler I just cant try the applying of thermal paste again

Thank you very much for your responses, I really appreciate it

[fullinfusion]

@ brandonwh64
Bah and if I were a guest over for dinner at your place something tells me Id starve to death before you finished lol

[TC-man]

Hi,

According Hardwaresecrets.com it is a tiny or small dot the best if it comes to thermal paste application: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...Part-1/1303/10

The result can be a difference of 2 degrees Celsius depending what method you use (e.g. "tiny/small dot" versus "spread").

But according Hardwaresecrets.com is a small dot the best when applying thermal paste with a direct-touch heatpipes cpu cooler as shown in their follow-up article "What is the Best Way to Apply Thermal Grease? - Part 2": http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...-Part-2/1392/8

[fullinfusion]

Originally Posted by TC-man

Hi,

According Hardwaresecrets.com it is a tiny or small dot the best if it comes to thermal paste application: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...Part-1/1303/10

The result can be a difference of 2 degrees Celsius depending what method you use (e.g. "tiny/small dot" versus "spread").

But according Hardwaresecrets.com is a small dot the best when applying thermal paste with a direct-touch heatpipes cpu cooler as shown in their follow-up article "What is the Best Way to Apply Thermal Grease? - Part 2": http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...-Part-2/1392/8

THANK YOU!!! Like i said less is better... all the paste does is fill in the tiny micro scratches and tiny imperfections.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by fullinfusion

@ brandonwh64
Bah and if I were a guest over for dinner at your place something tells me Id starve to death before you finished lol

I do love to slow cook things!