How much Thermal Compound to use?

[wormvortex]

Ordered a 4600+ AMD x2 939 the other day and was wondering how much thermal compound I should put on it to install it as I've always bought retail versions before and just used the thermal pad that comes with them.

I read that you only need to put a rice grain amount in the center of it, is this true?

The chip has a heatspreader? think thats what they're called. (big metal plate covering majority of chip) so do I simply just put a bit on the center of it and then attach the heatsink or is there anything else I need to do?

 

[Lunatic Dreyfus]

That technique has worked perfectly well for me for about five years or so. Apply your blob of thermal gunk and slap on the heat-sink. Job done!

 

[Mr-White]

you only need the smallest amount to cover the whole heatspeader with a very thin layer.

MW

 

[Aelred89]

Hmmm i have a feeling i may have put a little too much on lol I did like a pattern on the heatsink and then spread it out as i was worried about heat spots... didn't look overly thick though, should i redo it?
e.g.
________________
l ______________ l
l l______________ l
l ______________l l
l l______________ l
l ______________l l
l l______________ l
l________________l

i hope you see what i did lol

 

[wormvortex]

Hmmm i have a feeling i may have put a little too much on lol I did like a pattern on the heatsink and then spread it out as i was worried about heat spots... didn't look overly thick though, should i redo it?
e.g.
________________
l ______________ l
l l______________ l
l ______________l l
l l______________ l
l ______________l l
l l______________ l
l________________l

i hope you see what i did lol

Looks like the first level of Donky Kong 1. All its missing is DK and mario.

 

[Sel]

It would help if someone could do a video of this as I'm never sure how much to use either.

 

[w3bbo]

A small blob, about the size of a BB placed in the centre of the heatspreader. Press down heatsink and give a little twists then fasten down.

 

[DJKahuna]

I usually put along one edge, and spread it across until it's about a 1/4 - 1/2 a mm thick. Then put HS on, give a little twist, and secure (using akasa evo-120). Should be similar for normal AMD heatsink though. It keeps my temps at about 38°C idle without PowerNow/CNQ, and about 31°C with PowerNow/CNQ. Under load (F@H full usage both cores), i get about 50°C max (even after 6+ hours).

 

[squiffy]

You need to use about 1 gallon. Just slop it everywhere

 

[dC2006]

Best way to apply it is put a small amount, about 1/3 of a pea size on the cpu heat spreader. Then using some cling film over your finger, smear it so it covers the whole heat spreader, this way its nice and even and you dont get ya finger dirty.

 

[hoohapacino]

Check this full system build out with images
h t t p://tools.corsairmemory.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=12472&sid=7

 

[MoodyB]

The chip has a heatspreader? think thats what they're called. (big metal plate covering majority of chip) so do I simply just put a bit on the center of it and then attach the heatsink or is there anything else I need to do?

AS 5 instructions :

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

AS Ceramique instructions :

http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm

Haven't found a comparison showing the temp difference between putting a small amount on the centre of the heatspreader compared to covering the whole surface, so I just go with what AS recommend.

 

[Lunatic Dreyfus]

You need to use about 1 gallon. Just slop it everywhere

Agreed. If you're gonna apply thermal compound, you must do it properly. I took this photo during my last CPU upgrade. The motherboard is at the bottom of the yellow tub.



"Say when..."

 

[Duke]

Put a small amount on and use your finger to spread it over the heatspreader. Remember the compound is only meant to 'even out' the machined grooves in the heatspreader and underneath of heatsink, so you only need a very thin layer.