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5820K Thermal paste application...

jamieboo

jamieboo

jamieboo

Associate
Joined
29 Oct 2009
Posts
369
Hello folks

I'm sure this general issue has come up many times, but I just wanted to get some more specific and recent opinions on this.

I have a new 5820K and I'm wondering what is the best technique for thermal paste application.
The old pea sized dot seems ever popular, but with the larger size of the Haswell-E's some seem to recommend the 'cross' pattern.
Then there are people who have delidded and think that the greater heat is going to be generated either side of the middle, so question the logic of a 'centre-based' application.
And there's that little hole - is there a danger of that getting covered with the paste?

Any help on this would be most appreciated!

Thanks.
 
I have IVY-E which is the same size.

I use the pea method, slightly bigger, but not by much under a full Water loop, and does not see temps any higher than 55c.

You cannot de-lid a x79, or x99 CPU as they are soldered, for better heat contact.

In terms of the little hole, don't worry about it, a little paste went in mine and not had any issues.

I run an i7 4930k also. :)
 
The "X" method of applying thermal paste has been shown to be the most effective.
 
I decided to try a different method this time around. Square even paste but not all the way to the edges. Seems alright at 65c and idle 28c at 4.5ghz 5820k
 
On a lot of coolers the heatsink is slightly CONVEX and the only part that actually makes contact is the middle.
 
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Went with the cross method when I done mine. Seems fine.

Another site (that I am unsure if I can link or not as they sell computers) has benchmarks of various methods and even between best and worst there is only 2-3C. Hardly seems worth worrying about.
 
I think Noctua tell you to do the cross method in their instructions.

Or is that EK? Anyway, I do like the razor method, makes me feel like an artisan getting it all nice and even, with a tiny tool (broke-off piece of mini-stanley)... like those people who paint portraits on pinheads. :D
 
Find out the die layout of your CPU and apply it accordingly.

Haswell for example, the cores are lined up vertically, slightly off center. so the vertical 'line' method is best, but we are talking about tiny differences here.
 
Thanks for the replies folks.
Those of you who did the 'cross' method, how far did you extend the arms of the cross? Right to the edge? I'm still concerned about thermal compound blocking that little hole!
 
jamieboo said:
Thanks for the replies folks.
Those of you who did the 'cross' method, how far did you extend the arms of the cross? Right to the edge? I'm still concerned about thermal compound blocking that little hole!
Click to expand...

I did not go right to the edge otherwise it would go over - left about 2-3mm from the corner/edge, and it has worked out well.
 
Total n00b here, haven't built a PC for years but I'm thinking of getting one soon, any decent videos for applying thermal paste properly?
 
anticonscience said:
Total n00b here, haven't built a PC for years but I'm thinking of getting one soon, any decent videos for applying thermal paste properly?
Click to expand...

i think just search YouTube and you will find many. watch a couple and may be you can decide yourself better. keep an eye on pea or x method. I will advise against spreading the paste with a card or something. more mess and higher likelihood of inferior thermal performance.
 
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