Thermal Compound Options

There's zero problems applying it if you just do a blob in the middle.
watched a couple of videos on this, the ONLY bad things are

1) not enough this causes more heat
2) WAY too much - made no difference on heat but makes a mess (and obviously if its conductive can cause issues)
 
Not enough is rarely a problem.
Most people use way too much TIM.
The only area of CPU IHS that is transferring heat is area in contact with CPU die, and die size is a small fraction of IHS. The IHS is too thin to transfer much heat laterally, so if die is 10mm square, the heat transfer area is maybe a 15mm diameter circle in center of 40mm square IHS cools as well as if entire 40mm square surface of IHS is covered. Hardware Secrets did a TIM application test years ago and found the smallest amounts of TIM transferred heat better than larger amounts.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/best-way-to-apply-thermal-compound.18800098/#post-31349734

Tom's Hardware found the same basic truth .. a 2-4mm dob is enough TIM
h
$


http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/thermal-paste-comparison,review-33969-3.html
 
my small tube of hydronaut was perfect,spread nice and easily..the 2nd large tube I bought last week was like the op said,dried up putty and was a nightmare to spread,had to remove it off and sit the tube in hot water for 10 mins and not much better,its gone in the bin and ended up using some gelid stuff I had lying around.

it was like trying to spread peanut butter that had been in the fridge.
 
Last edited:
my small tube of aquanaut was perfect,spread nice and easily..the 2nd large tube I bought last week was like the op said,dried up putty and was a nightmare to spread,had to remove it off and sit the tube in hot water for 10 mins and not much better,its gone in the bin and ended up using some gelid stuff I had lying around.

it was like trying to spread peanut butter that had been in the fridge.
Exactly my experience, was going to refit today and was hoping to heat it up before hand but that now seems like it might not work? Shame as this is supposed to be the best?
 
Exactly my experience, was going to refit today and was hoping to heat it up before hand but that now seems like it might not work? Shame as this is supposed to be the best?
Put mine in a ziplock bag and placed in boiling water for approx 3 minutes, then it was a lot easier to spread especially with the TG spatula's :)
 
Back
Top Bottom