Applying thermal paste (Zalman 9700)

[Kouba]

Hey guys, Im a little confused as to which method to choose, a lot of you seem to apply thermal paste ONLY on the CPU whereas Zalman suggest that you apply it on both the CPU and the Heatsink.
Which should I go for?
And how do you all apply thermal paste?

 

[snaggster]

not again....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
Sorry welcome dirty-blade, This is one of the most asked questions on here. Your best bet is to squeeze out a large pea size amount on the cpu, then gently push the cooler down ontop of the "pea". This way you wont get traped air bubbles.

 

[Kouba]

lol Thanks for the welcome
I can't squeeze a pea size because the Thermal paste is a brush-on paste, Its the one that comes with the Zalman 9700.

 

[admoo]

Yeah I'd recommend putting a blob on the CPU then putting the heatsink on, allowing it to spread through the pressure of the heatsink. I wouldn't recommend spreading it as it traps loads of air in the paste.

If you wanted to, you could apply a tiny blob on the heatsink, smear it all over using an old credit card (make sure its clean!), then polishing it all off using a lint free cloth. That way all the tiny gaps in the heatsink are filled with thermal paste, but you haven't trapped an air/dust in it. And then put it on your pre-blobbed (sorry for the horrible terminology ) CPU.

Edit: GAH. Use the recommended method then

 

[Kouba]

Isnt the recommended method over-kill though?

 

[admoo]

Isnt the recommended method over-kill though?

I'm not sure I'm afraid, I've never used a brush on themal paste. Although I'd not recommend doing it with normal paste, I'd probably trust them, as they've specifically recommended it. I dunno

If you have the time, and paste, you could apply it their way, see what the temps are like, and if unsatisfactory, reapply it?

 

[Kouba]

Yeah but the thing is, I don't know what to remove the paste with, I don;t have any of the products that you guys use (Alcohol 91% .etc .etc) So what household items can I use to remove old paste just incase I need to reapply?

 

[snaggster]

I think you would be better of ordering some artic silver 5 (as5) and doing the blob method. Its tryed and tested.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=AC-000-AC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=27

Video of different methods

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

 

[snaggster]

Yeah but the thing is, I don't know what to remove the paste with, I don;t have any of the products that you guys use (Alcohol 91% .etc .etc) So what household items can I use to remove old paste just incase I need to reapply?

If you havent got time to order some tim remover. some people have used nail varnish remover.

 

[admoo]

My friend has used petrol before I wouldn't recommend it though

Nail varnish could work.

 

[Kouba]

Nah AS5 aint better than the zalman paste judging from the tests and statistics.

Thanks for the nail varnish remover tip though, ill try it if i ever have to reapply.

 

[wilko49]

white spirit / undyed methylated spirits would work nicely.

 

[Kouba]

Thanks wilko, may have white spirit.

Isnt there anyone here with experience on Zalman thermal paste?

 

[admoo]

Nah AS5 aint better than the zalman paste judging from the tests and statistics.

Thanks for the nail varnish remover tip though, ill try it if i ever have to reapply.

I'm glad you realised my mistake, I wouldn't want to be blamed for someone trying to remove their thermal paste with actual nail varnish

 

[Reaper652]

I wouldn't reccomend nail varnish remover or white spirits as they can leave a residue. Either just wipe it off with a lint free cloth (why remove every last spec of ot if you are re applying the same stuff?) or isopropyl alcohol (can be bought from chemists and diy stores resonably cheaply).

 

[dlknight]

I wouldn't reccomend nail varnish remover or white spirits as they can leave a residue. Either just wipe it off with a lint free cloth (why remove every last spec of ot if you are re applying the same stuff?) or isopropyl alcohol (can be bought from chemists and diy stores resonably cheaply).

Agreed - A can of electrical solvent spray (also isopropyl) can be had for a few pounds at most hardware/electrical stores. Amazing how easy the paste comes off after a squirt of it

 

[Ben Cole]

Old aftershave for cleaning and removal and applying TIM to the heatsink with a freebie Coolermaster credit card type thing is what I've always done.

My temperatures are always good.

(Just goes to show that you shouldn't be too fussy about it, just use common sense)

 

[dlknight]

Old aftershave for cleaning and removal and applying TIM to the heatsink with a freebie Coolermaster credit card type thing is what I've always done.

My temperatures are always good.

(Just goes to show that you shouldn't be too fussy about it, just use common sense)

At least you will have the best smelling PC on the forums

 

[chief barker]

At least you will have the best smelling PC on the forums

Not If you use BRUT or OLD SPICE


Sorry, I'm showing my age now.

 

[el Kuarlos]

I improvised vodka as TIM remover once, I was drunk at the time though.