CPU Thermal paste, done right?

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Noob moment. Just took my heatsink off and I'm curious if the TIM looks like it was applied correctly. Images attached of what it looks like right now.

First time I've ever mounted a heatsink, so I feel useless :rolleyes:

Apologies for the quality, had to use my phone camera.

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To me that doesn't look like it was evenly spread out over the cpu. When i replace my TIM, the heatsink usually has TIM on both sides but more flat out and you can see which bits have stuck to the cpu and which bits have stuck to the heatsink to make it look even if you stick it back on...
 
I was thinking it looked a bit off myself. What method of application do you usually use? I spread this out using a piece of plastic over the cpu before mounting the heatsink.
 
Yeah you know it's too much when it's overflowing the edge of the CPU heat spreader. Ideally you want it to just touch the edge. Because the heatsink mount pressure is so great you only need a blob in the middle to do the job.

As for application method, I've always just applied a blob in the middle and let it spread itself out.
 
Line down the centre is recommended. I however, put a line down the centre then spread is out lol (never had a heat issue).

Compound to me looks very thick on the HSF, but viscous on the CPU. I would say too much paste, spread looks ok, just so clumpy and thick on the HSF.

Just use a little less.
 
Having never used one of these direct heat pipe coolers before am I right in thinking they have a prefered mounting direction? I.e. if you have to go to the trouble of adding your line of TIM so that it is in line with the cores, do you also have to line the heat pipes in the same direction, to maximise heat pipe contact?

I know there was a thread on here ages ago regarding what one of the Dons considered to be the correct way to apply TIM to these types of coolers, I think it was based around a preoverlocked build they were doing and they were getting some people having problems after they'd removed the cooler for whatever reason. Anyway, the amount the officially reccomended was WAY more than a line, it was virtually a full plastering job, I would say half a tubes worth. It actually looked ridiculous but that was the amount they reccomended using. Certainly wasn't a pea or a line. If it was me though I would first apply some to the cooler and use a credit card to wipe off in order to fill in any gaps between the heat pipes and the aluminium. Then I would use the line method on the cpu.
 
If it was me though I would first apply some to the cooler and use a credit card to wipe off in order to fill in any gaps between the heat pipes and the aluminium. Then I would use the line method on the cpu.

Yeah this is what I am thinking of doing aswell though I am still researching on the issue.
 
Well something went a bit wrong with the remount, IBT hit 90 degrees a few minutes ago, max'd out at 81 previously, and games never went above 70

Used the line method, btw
 
If it was me though I would first apply some to the cooler and use a credit card to wipe off in order to fill in any gaps between the heat pipes and the aluminium.

I would do this and then the small blob in the middle of cpu.
 
Would I be right in assuming I might have used too little compound this time? Temps went from 40 idle to 47, and load temps are 10-15 degrees up. had to back down to 3.5ghz to keep it cool
 
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