do i need new thermal paste?

Pohly · 23 Dec 2011 at 15:28

i was resiting my corsair a50 today and when i came to reapply the thermal paste i noticed it was really dry and thick no like oozy like its ment to be. this made it really hard to spred. so i thought i should leave it and see what you guys think thanks.

if i do need some new paste what is the best paste to get ?

Deception · 23 Dec 2011 at 15:36

I personally use MX-4, here. What is your current paste?

Pohly · 23 Dec 2011 at 15:41

just the standered one that came with the cooler it has an awful thermal conductivity only 3.3w/mk compaired to the m4 you link which is 8.5 so i most likly will buy a tube of that

update: just brought a tube of mx4 heres hoping its better than the rubbish i have with the corsair

Deception · 23 Dec 2011 at 20:09

Hope it helps

bainbridge · 23 Dec 2011 at 20:43

Sounds like the original stuff on there had baked out. You should get much better results with MX-4.

bainbridge · 23 Dec 2011 at 20:44

PS make sure you fill them little heatpipe gaps before applying the main blob!!

Hyburnate · 23 Dec 2011 at 20:47

I've got a tube of MX-2. Can't fault it. However its half empty (Stupid family thinks its funny to put their fingers in it) Ahh well they're buying me a new tube, of IC Diamond

But yeah Diamond stuff is top of the range

bainbridge · 23 Dec 2011 at 20:58

Hyburnate said:
But yeah Diamond stuff is top of the range

Agreed, but it's an absolute bugger to apply

Pohly · 23 Dec 2011 at 21:21

thanks guys when i get it whats the best way to apply it every one dose it differently should i fill the gaps inbetween the pipes then put a *pea* size blob on the cpu and allow the cooler to scatter it or is there a better way?

Shadz · 23 Dec 2011 at 22:21

Pohly said:
thanks guys when i get it whats the best way to apply it every one dose it differently should i fill the gaps inbetween the pipes then put a pie size blob on the cpu and allow the cooler to scatter it or is there a better way?

Some people like to use the credit card method which is putting a small amount
on the centre of the CPU and then spreading it evenly with a credit card or
something like that and then putting the cooler back on.

Personally I put a small blob in the middle and let the cooler push it out as the
hottest point on the CPU is the centre anyway.

bainbridge · 23 Dec 2011 at 23:26

Pohly said:
should i fill the gaps inbetween the pipes then put a pie size blob on the cpu and allow the cooler to scatter it or is there a better way?

This is what I do (plus I tint both surfaces), however a pie sized blob is overdoing it somewhat

Shadz said:
Personally I put a small blob in the middle and let the cooler push it out as the
hottest point on the CPU is the centre anyway.

Same here, I also think it's important not to lift off the cooler once you've positioned the heatsink onto the cpu.

Pohly · 24 Dec 2011 at 00:57

bainbridge said:
This is what I do (plus I tint both surfaces), however a pie sized blob is overdoing it somewhat

haha *pea size* stupid dyslexia

Pohly · 30 Dec 2011 at 11:46

thought i would keep you guys posted.
thermal paste came today and wow am im impressed!! i thought it might knock 2 maybe 3 degrees off but i didnt expect this my temps used to be mid to high 70's and now i havnt seen it over 52 ! its amazing stuff

thanks for the help guys