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I need to know about thermal application as well.

I purchased a Q6600 B3 and with an Artic Freezer Pro 7, at stock speeds (2.4ghz) and reduced voltages (1.25v), I was still hitting 67ºC (on the highest core, 9ºC between highest and lowest) under load (prime 95), and 42ºC at idle. This was after many times reseating the heatsink. Then I thought I may have a rubbish heatsink, so tried the stock cooler which gave me 46ºC idle and was hitting 83ºC+ under load. This also was reseated a few times.

Therefore I am concerned about either my chip being rubbish, or my thermal compound (which is arctic silver 5) application being rubbish. Thing is, I used the method described on by their website, of one small line going horizontally across the core, so I cannot be going THAT wrong can I?

P.s sorry for the semi-thread hijack.

I found the Artic cooler 7 ran about 2oc with the AS.

On the CPU itself, apply the Artic silver in the middle of the CPU no bigger than a grain of rice. Having too much can negate the effect so remember this. Then grab some cling film and pull it tight over your fore finger. Then gently spread the compound until it covers the entire CPU. Do not be tempted to apply more paste. It will spread out evenly so just be patient. Move in vertical directions (not in circles) turning the CPU around. Soon, the artic silver will shine. When it's like this, it's ready to be installed.

I took these pictures on my recent upgrade...

personally i have found if you place a small amount of AS half the size a grain of rice in the middle of the cpu and spread as thinly as possible the AS5 the results are more favorable than what AS recommend.

As to the Q6600 (B3 stepping) The CPU HS as in my B3 was very concave and resulted in high temps caused by less surface contact with the cooler.

The Q6600 are known to be concave some more than others. Lapping the heat sink, as i did resolved the temperature issue. My temps before lapping idle were 53,52,49,48. Under load using prime 72,70,58,58

After lapping using a artic pro7 before installing my D-tek the temps fell to 33,32,28,28
under load 43,42,38,38

If you remove your heat sink and looking at the contact surface will be suffice show to how concave your chip is due to the thermal paste imprint.

Thermal paste when applied fills the microscopic crevices allowing heat transfer to take place facilitated by the silver. Hence the reason for using a very thin layer.

To much thermal paste restricts the thermal transfer of heat ie it insulates the heat instead of allowing the thermal transfer to the cooler.

Yes, I think I carried on a bit after I took that picture but the tenchique generally means you are getting a clean and even coverage.

That looks very impressive Admiral Huddy.

I’m no expert in what I suspect is a more complicated subject than might at first appear.

Apart from keeping it relatively simple the only logic I can think of with the recommended approach is that it could be more likely to fill in any minor surface deviation on the CPU and Heatsink than a thin even layer applied exclusively to the CPU.

If I remember correctly they suggest that an oval shape centred on the cores confirms correct application.
You can only confirm that by inspection after removal or as in my case when the Heatsink slides around whilst attempting to install it.

That said, the next time I apply AS5 I’m following your advice. That finish is too hard to resist.

I have tried most ways and unless you put a large amount on, IE the Arctic silver way I have found marginal differences, I used to spend ages doing it like the Admiral has shown and the difference was not measurable. We have to take into account 2 things here though, if the IHS is concave then the Arctic way should fill the gap and give a good result but if you do it the way the Admiral has shown if you have a badly concave IHS there is a possibility that the paste at the bottom of the valley shall we say might not be enough to make contact with the heatsink.

So that is something else which should be taken into account, I use a new razorblade and hold it over the IHS and look under it to see if I can see light in the middle if I can and it's a large amount I use more paste if it looks flat I use the smallest amount I can get on, I then fit the heatsink and bolt it down properly, I then remove if to look at the contact if it's splodged over I refit with less if it's not reached the edges I use more and try again repeating until if looks good.

A very long winded way but it does get good results, one other thing Coolaboratory make a silver metal paste which is awesome but be prepared when you want to get it off, it's virtually impossible to clean it off.

Hope this makes sense.

I've used Huddy's method successfully, this time with my Quad I used AS's guide and applied the thin line across the heat spreader. Looking at my temps that method also looks to be successful.

Admiral Huddy said:

I found the Artic cooler 7 ran about 2oc with the AS.

On the CPU itself, apply the Artic silver in the middle of the CPU no bigger than a grain of rice. Having too much can negate the effect so remember this. Then grab some cling film and pull it tight over your fore finger. Then gently spread the compound until it covers the entire CPU. Do not be tempted to apply more paste. It will spread out evenly so just be patient. Move in vertical directions (not in circles) turning the CPU around. Soon, the artic silver will shine. When it's like this, it's ready to be installed.

I took these pictures on my recent upgrade...

Click to expand...

nice guide and pics impressive.

TBH, the only way to be sure is to lap the IHS and then use a new clean stanley knife blade or something to spread the paste...

With a totally flat IHS and an amout of paste the size of a grain of rice you should be able to spread the paste totally flat and also remove between 50% and 75% of the initial amount of paste applied...

I also find when you have seated the HSF or waterblock, before fully tightened, you can then apply some pressure and twist it a few times to get a better seating and connection.

I agree with monstermunch lapping the IHS does reap reward and significantly reduces high temps.

Just wanted to let you all know - before, I used to idle at 41/38/43/47, and Prime95 would take those to around 51/52/56/57.

I reseated and repasted, using the "one line across" method (before I had the paste spread with a credit card). Now I am idling at:

45/45/40/43, and Prime 95 tops out the temps at no more than 51/52 per core.

I have only just reapplied the paste etc, and it is yet to set - so looking better