Arctic Silver 5 Tinting?

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DHR

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Board waiting for the family to come out of the supermarket so was reading up on using Arctic Silver 5.

I've always used the pea method and had no problems but they specify the line method for the latest generation of Intels.

They suggest 'tinting' the processor too, something I've never done before. Is it worth doing? :rolleyes:
 
What the hell is tinting?

Just stick the paste on however you want, its going to make no difference you would notice. I bet you could draw a smilly paste face and stick the cooler on top of that and it would probably cost you 0.5c max.
 
Don't spread AS5 - always use the line method if you know the layout of the CPU or blob as a failsafe (worse case a blob is only like 0.5C different) - spreading AS5 will usually albeit only by a small amount (couple of C or so) reduce its effectiveness.

(AS5 used to specifically say don't spread in the instructions but its possible given how often people spread it anyhow they've changed it to be more tolerant of spreading).
 
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So in the doc linked to above, they recommend doing the tinting before you use the traditional pea/line method. Never seen it mentioned before with any other compounds in addition to the normal method... Seems like a recipie for disaster!
 
I remember it was recommended years ago, before amd chips used heat spreaders. We used to smear some paste on the block then put a tiny blob on the die.
 
new boy said:
So its what normal people call spreading?
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Rroff said:
Don't spread AS5 - always use the line method if you know the layout of the CPU or blob as a failsafe (worse case a blob is only like 0.5C different) - spreading AS5 will usually albeit only by a small amount (couple of C or so) reduce its effectiveness.

(AS5 used to specifically say don't spread in the instructions but its possible given how often people spread it anyhow they've changed it to be more tolerant of spreading).
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Either the above posters did not read the tinting process or did not understand it. Tinting is similar to waxing a car. It is rubbing the TIM into the CPU IHS and cooler base and then rubbing it off with a clean lint free cloth.

What this is supposed to do (and I think does) is allow the dob of TIM then put on the IHS to 'flow' and smooth out better and thinner when cooler is mounted.

mickyflinn said:
I would say so, seems a bit over the top as a guide but if your a complete noob then.
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Maybe, but my cooler test system CPU IHS is tinted. After finishing a test and removing cooler all I do is wipe them clean ('polish' off all the TIM on them. But I do it because I'm a lazy git and it's easier than cleaning with alcohol. :D
 
doyll said:
Either the above posters did not read the tinting process or did not understand it. Tinting is similar to waxing a car. It is rubbing the TIM into the CPU IHS and cooler base and then rubbing it off with a clean lint free cloth.

What this is supposed to do (and I think does) is allow the dob of TIM then put on the IHS to 'flow' and smooth out better and thinner when cooler is mounted.


Maybe, but my cooler test system CPU IHS is tinted. After finishing a test and removing cooler all I do is wipe them clean ('polish' off all the TIM on them. But I do it because I'm a lazy git and it's easier than cleaning with alcohol. :D
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Tinting used to be in the instructions for another paste not AS5 - it is like they've thrown all the instructions together a bit randomly.

AS5 works best with the line application method using pressure spreading and tinting is less optimal in that situation compared to when using a dob.
 
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Rroff said:
Tinting used to be in the instructions for another paste not AS5 - it is like they've thrown all the instructions together a bit randomly.

AS5 works best with the line application method using pressure spreading and tinting is less optimal in that situation compared to when using a dob.
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The concept of 'tinting' is the same as 'tinning' sufaces that are to be sweat-solderied together. It is to help the flow of TIM between the 2 surfaces involved in the same way tinning helps the flow of the molten lead between the 2 metal surfaces.

That said, I have my doubts it make a significant difference. The differences (if any) are so little I and others who have tried prove / disprove it's working cannot do so. We are talking a fraction of a degree at most.
 
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Maybe it makes more difference with extreme temp differences as they recommended we did it when we were phase change cooling. I think we used Ceramique or Alumina back then though.

For normal use reviewers are always testing all the different methods and the result is always just use the pea method. It probably makes so little difference at normal air cooling temps that its inside the margin for error anyway and gets discounted.
 
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doyll said:
The concept of 'tinting' is the same as 'tinning' sufaces that are to be sweat-solderied together. It is to help the flow of TIM between the 2 surfaces involved in the same way tinning helps the flow of the melted lead between the 2 metal surfaces.
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I'm trying to put people off any kind of spreading with AS5 - tinting when properly done may not be a problem, maybe even helps, but AS5 is designed to efficiently pressure spread and manual spreading including incorrectly done tinting does even if only by a small amount reduce its efficiency.

EDIT: In the realworld the difference is pretty negligible but it winds me up when people do reviews and say well I'm gonna hand spread it anyway to make it all equal and then have AS5 down a couple of degrees compared to where it would really perform in lab testing with the right application method.
 
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Rroff said:
I'm trying to put people off any kind of spreading with AS5 - tinting when properly done may not be a problem, maybe even helps, but AS5 is designed to efficiently pressure spread and manual spreading including incorrectly done tinting does even if only by a small amount reduce its efficiency.
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I guess you don't understand what tinting is, because tinting is not spreading AS5 in any way, shape or form. It is rubbing TIM into the top of CPU IHS and cooler base, then rubbing it off without using any cleaning solution .. Very similar in principle to waxing a car's paint with wax and improve the shine. It is done to fill any small pores in the surface in the 'hope' the TIM will flow and spread better and give better heat transfer.

'Hand spreading' and tinting have almost nothing in common. By comparison it is like applying a gallon bucket of wax to our car and leaving it compared to rubbing a little on and polishing it off. :D
 
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I can like read the instructions linked above :P even if its more akin to polishing if done improperly it can inhibit the natural spreading.

I don't really care too much about the distinction I just don't give up a chance to emphasise that the paste isn't designed for hand spreading.
 
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Rroff said:
I can like read the instructions linked above :P even if its more akin to polishing if done improperly it can inhibit the natural spreading.

I don't really care too much about the distinction I just don't give up a chance to emphasise that the paste isn't designed for hand spreading.
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Please explain how it can be 'done improperly and inhibit natural speadign'? There is nothing complicated about rubbing some TIM into the metal surfaces and then wiping it all off with a lint-free cloth. If someone is not able to read and use instructions this simple they should not be attempting to install a cooler .. or be allowed of their padded room without appropriate protection and supervision. :p
 
doyll said:
Either the above posters did not read the tinting process or did not understand it
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Yeah I totally just skim read it and misunderstood what it was. Who wants to read an 8 page manual on applying TIM? lol

Well, the whole thing sounds pretty lame to me. Just slop some paste on however you like and get on with it IMO.
 
new boy said:
Yeah I totally just skim read it and misunderstood what it was. Who wants to read an 8 page manual on applying TIM? lol

Well, the whole thing sounds pretty lame to me. Just slop some paste on however you like and get on with it IMO.
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Well, you sound pretty lame to m, IMO. :p
But yeah, wipe clean and a dob the size of a grain of rice in the middle is pretty much all it takes in 95 out of 100 installs.
 
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