How do I prepare CPU for thermal paste?

[Barso]

I have purchased a core i7920 for the asus P6T deluxe V2 MB.
I will also be installing a Swiftech apogee GTX block on for watercooling.
How do I prepare the CPU for the arctic silver5 thermal paste?

 

[Admiral Huddy]

This may help you

http://www.huddysworld.co.uk/index....g-tim&catid=40:techie-talk-hardware&Itemid=72

 

[Barso]

Thanks,perfect!!!!

 

[Plec]

This may help you

http://www.huddysworld.co.uk/index....g-tim&catid=40:techie-talk-hardware&Itemid=72

This is my preferred method and I nearly always revert back to it after trying other methods. I’ve tried the blob and swivel heatsink method but i never feel as comfortable about the paste’s application as i do using the cling film method. (Old habits…)

That’s an interesting site Huddy – I imagine a lot of work has gone into that. The Techie Talk page has loads of information that lots of the newer forum members (and older ones) would find really useful – you should link to it more.

If you’re open to suggestions: - have you considered doing a FAQ/INDEX type list at the top of the ‘Techie Talk’ page that hotlinks to the relevant titles within the page? It would help the casual browser navigate to their specific problem quicker – and let them know if you’ve covered it as a topic.

Great site, wish I had that info to hand when I first started out 15 years ago – Kudos for your effort.

 

[Ch3m1c4L]

thats a pretty cool way tbh, not seen it before but will try it next chance i get .

One thing about the site, AS5 isnt highly recommend anymore, since there are other ones that are non-conductive, dont require a cureing time, are cheaper and perform better/the same. Although its still the name everyone knows so brand loyalty means the average consumer still tells you to buy it.

 

[Corasik]

I dont find the clingfilm method works well on Core2 (duo/quad) or i7s.

The old P4's were milled and really very flat, so just a ultrathin coating of paste to fill the microvalleys was ideal.

But current intel CPU's are about as flat mount everest. The blob and swivel method helps prevent large airgaps (paste is much better at heat transfer than air), while being squeezed away where metal - metal contact is likely.

An even thin layer of paste will leave airgaps, which is very undesirable.

Of course if you lap both the cpu and heatsink to perfection, then the clingfilm method works a treat.

 

[Admiral Huddy]

If you’re open to suggestions: - have you considered doing a FAQ/INDEX type list at the top of the ‘Techie Talk’ page that hotlinks to the relevant titles within the page? It would help the casual browser navigate to their specific problem quicker – and let them know if you’ve covered it as a topic.

Great site, wish I had that info to hand when I first started out 15 years ago – Kudos for your effort.

I have and i have about 25 articles still to go in but time is always against me

You can always help - Article contributions greatly appreciated

Sorry to go off topic

 

[Admiral Huddy]

An even thin layer of paste will leave airgaps, which is very undesirable.

True but remember that the paste isn't designed to level flaws and fill big gaps. It's there to fill tiny imperpections that would otherwise fill with small micro pockets of air. Major gaps can only be treated by rubbing the surfaces down or lagging.

 

[Destination]

Barso, don't get any arctic 5 on anything but the area you wish to apply it to.

Its conductive unlike a lot of other modern good thermal pastes which are not, and you can spill to your heart is content.

 

[5abr3]

I always used a dud debit style card as a spreader, hasn't gone wrong yet!

 

[Plec]

I have and i have about 25 articles still to go in but time is always against me

Apologies, I should have thought that may be the case, as techy information based websites, due to their very subject matter, evolve and re-evolve very quickly – and as a result require a lot of upkeep (as you’re clearly painfully aware of.)

You can always help - Article contributions greatly appreciated

I’ll have a closer look but I doubt that I’ll be able to add anything of any real substance as you seem to have covered all the salient points (i.e. trouble shooting and important/relevant info regarding builds) – but I’ll look again with that in mind…

 

[Corasik]

True but remember that the paste isn't designed to level flaws and fill big gaps. It's there to fill tiny imperpections that would otherwise fill with small micro pockets of air. Major gaps can only be treated by rubbing the surfaces down or lagging.

True enough, and I did mention lapping, but that does invalidate your warrenty, and as I said while pockets of paste may suck, its still hell of a lot better than air, and I would say 99% of core duos are concave and I bet i7 isnt any better.

 

[Nimble]

Barso, don't get any arctic 5 on anything but the area you wish to apply it to.

Its conductive unlike a lot of other modern good thermal pastes which are not, and you can spill to your heart is content.

Arctic Silver 5 is not conductive, though you still should still avoid getting it on any electrical pins etc.

 

[FatRakoon]

This method is the way I have always done my CPUs.

Funnily enough, this question was asked some time ago and Iwas slagged off like hell for telling the OP to do it this way, and by loads of people too.

Still, I ignored them, and I have stuck to this method for years and I have always had cool systems and never had a problem ever!

 

[Destination]

Arctic Silver 5 is not conductive, though you still should still avoid getting it on any electrical pins etc.

A bad choice of words on my part.

Not Electrically Conductive:
Arctic Silver 5 was formulated to conduct heat, not electricity.
(While much safer than electrically conductive silver and copper greases, Arctic Silver 5 should be kept away from electrical traces, pins, and leads. While it is not electrically conductive, the compound is very slightly capacitive and could potentially cause problems if it bridges two close-proximity electrical paths.)

 

[ian|Squared²]

Rubbing alcohol!