Is my thermal paste spreading alright

almoststew1990 · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:11

This is my first time spreading thermal paste. Normally I'm a "pea and squish" kinda guy!

It's that grizzly stuff. Is it too thin / thick or anything?

Trunkey · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:24

That looks a fair bit thicker than how I did mine and the packet does say apply a thin layer. I used the supplied spreader took my time and got it smooth.

new boy · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:50

For what it's worth, I've reseated my heatsink 4 times last week. First time I put far too much on, tried the spread, tried the line. I Didn't see any difference at all.

Doogles · 27 Jul 2015 at 18:06

I just put a blob on and don't worry about it not spreading because when that heatsink goes on it spreads well. I'd say you could do with half that easily.

pryere · 28 Jul 2015 at 13:04

Far too much on there. When the cooler is attached, it will spill out. Messy and avoidable.

Glanza · 28 Jul 2015 at 13:06

Blob it, the grizzly stuff spreads far when you put your cooler back on.

Sencha · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:24

That's probably more then twice as much as you need. I just do the single half pea these days - and its always perfectly spread with just the right amount once I remove.

If this was toast and butter though you'd get tops marks

The-Plethora · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:24

Yeah thats a bit thick but should still work fine. I have always found the finger in a plastic bag method is the best, you can spread it out ensuring everything is covered and you can make sure it's nice and thin too.

C64 · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:51

pea is too much you need like 1/4 size of a pea

toon_mad · 28 Jul 2015 at 15:21

Way too much, you only need a little dot in the middle really and then let the heatsink spread it when you install it.

If you have too much on it will have the opposite effect and give you worse temps.

foster grant · 28 Jul 2015 at 15:43

I just put a grain of rice sized blob on the CPU and then put the cooler on

faheemrazzaq · 28 Jul 2015 at 15:43

as every one else said, pea method will do.

Kelt · 28 Jul 2015 at 16:50

The X method has been proved to be the best.

wazza300 · 28 Jul 2015 at 17:31

less is more,looks too much imo

you want it thin enough that it just blanks out the underneath surface of the cpu

at the ops pic,scrape two thirds of the paste off and spread the remaining over entire surface,that should be about right

Trox · 28 Jul 2015 at 17:39

That's excessive, you don't need anywhere near that much.

Probably hinder temps than help.

hyperseven · 28 Jul 2015 at 18:10

sudden hankering for Nutella on toast...

Clean it off or use the bag method to remove most of that and even it off.

D1craig · 28 Jul 2015 at 18:17

Would it really hinder the temps? When the cooler is attached it will all be squeezed out so there is only the correct amount between the plates anyway.

I just done a gpu one and tbh I got the TIM almost everywhere lol. It works exactly as I wanted it to.

toon_mad · 28 Jul 2015 at 19:49

D1craig said:
Would it really hinder the temps? When the cooler is attached it will all be squeezed out so there is only the correct amount between the plates anyway.

I just done a gpu one and tbh I got the TIM almost everywhere lol. It works exactly as I wanted it to.

Pretty sure once you have too much excess thermal paste on it will insulate the contact between the cpu and cooler which is not good. As said, less is best i.e half a pea size or so

FloppyPoppy · 28 Jul 2015 at 20:01

I lost my scooper so i literally just get some on my finger and wipe on a rough pea sized mess and away we go!

savagesam117 · 28 Jul 2015 at 20:08

First time I ever done mine, it was like that, didn't notice a difference between pea to be honest.