Best way to apply thermal paste to A50?

TJM · 24 Jul 2011 at 18:07

I assembled my 2500k system the other day and followed the usual instructions when applying the paste - one pea-sized lump dead in the centre of the CPU. After getting up and running, I found the temps were too high for my liking when overclocking to 4.4Ghz (idling in the high 30s, reaching almost 70 under load, which isn't terrible but stops me overclocking much further).

I cleaned down the CPU and heatsink using the Artic Clean two-part solution earlier today and reapplied the paste. I did exactly what I did last time, but I must have made a mess of it as idle temps have risen to 40ish and load temps are well into the 70s (one core peaked at 79 in Prime95).

When I removed the heatsink earlier, I noticed the paste was still mostly bunched around the centre of the CPU. I'd estimate at least half, possibly two-thirds, of the surface wasn't covered, and I'm sure the same has happened again (except worse).

Is there a better way to apply paste to the A50 than a lump in the centre of the CPU? I'm confident the heatsink is seated properly, so I don't know how else to fix this.

robin66 · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:19

Take a look at this guide: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...ask=view&id=170&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=5

Lunawolfy · 25 Jul 2011 at 10:27

robin66 said:
Take a look at this guide: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...ask=view&id=170&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=5

Excellent guide, could not agree more

gazzaman2k · 25 Jul 2011 at 12:20

yup i have used the above guide's way many times and it has been spot on makes the paste spread equally with most of the area covered

Donkeyfumbler · 29 Jul 2011 at 12:54

I have an A50 as well, but running at stock. It idles in the mid 30's and at load goes to high 50's, which is a bit higher than I was hoping for. I too used the blob in the middle method.

Be interesting to get your feedback as to whether this different method makes a difference for you, before I decide whether to go to the hassle of trying it myself.

Also, how tight did you tighten the screws? I went hand-tight but was wondering if I should have used a screwdriver to increase the pressure - maybe that might have helped? Then again, even when handtightening, I noticed that the backplate was bending a bit where it approached the holes in the mobo and wasn't supported by the metal plate underneath the CPU socket, so I'm not sure tightening it any more would be a good idea, otherwise it might bend enough to touch the mobo.

TJM · 29 Jul 2011 at 21:55

I've applied two thin lines of paste to the metal between the copper tubes. My idle temps are now about 30c, but two cores are peaking at 60-62c and the others at 55-57c under load. A difference of 7c between cores at 100% load seems strange, so I'll probably try again with even thinner lines of paste.

I tightened the screws up as much as I could with my thumbs and then turned them with the screwdriver until I felt resistance. Didn't go any further than that.

Also, I've just replaced the stock fan with a Viper and the difference in sound is remarkable.

Donkeyfumbler · 30 Jul 2011 at 21:40

Thanks for the update. I'm not sure it's worth digging the machine out from under the desk at the moment. Maybe if/when I overclock I'll try the line techique. Let us know how you get on if you try again.