Best way to apply Chill Factor 3 thermal paste

Flanno · 30 Apr 2013 at 23:58

The instructions say to spread it evenly on the cpu spreader and the heatsink!!

Is this really the best way to do it ? I usually go with the small grain of rice sized blob in middle and let heatsink spread it out as I have read reports that spreading it yourself can introduce air bubbles. But why spread it out on the heatsink ? If it's for tinting (where you want to fill in crevices) then I would have thought the Arctic Silver approach would apply, where you wipe the paste off the heatsink afterwards with some lint free wipes.

Chances are I will just use the stuff that came with my Phanteks when I fit it tomorrow as I hear it's pretty good also.

wazza300 · 1 May 2013 at 00:05

just on the top of cpu heatsink is enough

I always spread it myself with my finger but a rice or pea sized blob is fine

foster grant · 1 May 2013 at 00:06

I just use a cut off finger from a latex glove .apply a small " blob " then with the gloved finger lol....i just spread it thinly all over the CPU...and when i place the cooler on top i give it a couple of little twists , then fix it in place

...job done

anthony566 · 1 May 2013 at 00:38

Am I just old .... Don't people use the liquid metal pads ?? I used to use them all the time as they were easy to apply no messing with did I put the right amount on etc etc ...

Like these ones :-

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-010-CL&groupid=701&catid=27

Flanno · 1 May 2013 at 06:46

They discolour the cpu heatspreader and heatsink so I guess that's why some dont use it.

Helios1234 · 1 May 2013 at 10:18

anthony566 said:
Am I just old .... Don't people use the liquid metal pads ?? I used to use them all the time as they were easy to apply no messing with did I put the right amount on etc etc ...

Like these ones :-

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-010-CL&groupid=701&catid=27

The metal pads are rubbish from experience. The liquid metal from the syringe is much easier to apply.

OP, apply the CF3 as you normally do, i.e. small blob.

Flanno · 1 May 2013 at 22:27

Thanks guys.

Helios1234 - yes, the small blob method is what I always use. I was just baffled why Thermalright recommended spreading it on the back of the cpu heatsink and the cpu heatspreader.

By the way, I have a tube of CF3 arriving Friday from OCUK. Couldn't resist the price. How does it compare to the Phanteks paste I wonder. Hoping to start build on Thursday but might hold off till the CF3 arrives

olivier renault · 4 May 2013 at 00:44

Flanno said:
Thanks guys.

Helios1234 - yes, the small blob method is what I always use. I was just baffled why Thermalright recommended spreading it on the back of the cpu heatsink and the cpu heatspreader.

By the way, I have a tube of CF3 arriving Friday from OCUK. Couldn't resist the price. How does it compare to the Phanteks paste I wonder. Hoping to start build on Thursday but might hold off till the CF3 arrives

It's what they use on Silver Arrows and others. So it's good.