Thermal paste application

stujim · 1 Mar 2015 at 13:57

Can anyone give me the tried and tested method of applying thermal paste when re-seating a cooler? i installed a Dark rock pro 3 cooler on to my i7 4790k. i used the paste that came with the cooler, applying a thin coat across the cpu (i always assumed this was the correct method). After looking on the Arctic silver website, they recommend just a thin line on the cpu, plus tinting the heatsink on the cooler ( thin coat on, then wipe off with lint-free cloth?). is this method ok to use? The method i used seemed ok, until i ran Prime95. i'm getting temperatures of 99/100 after about 5 minutes of testing and 34-38 on idle. I've ordered some Arctic silver 5 and some Arctic silver cleaner, so that i can re do it.

RJC · 1 Mar 2015 at 13:59

I tend to use the manufactures recommendations for the thermal compound and not really had any issues.

But with your temps your cooler appears not be seated correctly.

Telecaster · 1 Mar 2015 at 14:16

I just put a small line in the direction of the die and plonk it on, seems to do ok so far.

stujim · 1 Mar 2015 at 17:32

i can't see if it is seated correctly as i have an Asus Z97 armour edition motherboard and it has all that shielding that surrounds the cpu socket

McGraw · 1 Mar 2015 at 19:46

The method you used is the one I use so obviously I think you've used a good method.

Not sure whether this is a new cpu but had you got latest bios? Early ones can overvolt.

stujim · 1 Mar 2015 at 19:59

I've got the latest bios and only got the cpu in December. I found out what the problem is, the backplate was the wrong way around, doh! But...When I went to turn the bracket around for the correct position, I found that my case is obstructing the edge of the plate. The backplate has several holes drilled into it for various types of board/cpu configuration. If the backplate didn't have the holes drilled for AMD AM2/AM3, (which are drilled on the edges, making the backplate wider) then it would fit. The only way to get the backplate to fit, is either cut the case (not an option) or grind off the edges of the backplate

stujim · 2 Mar 2015 at 20:45

I have now attached the back plate in the correct position and have used some Arctic silver 5 paste. Getting idle temperatures of 34-40 with a 4.6ghz overclock. Is this a satisfactory temperature? According to the Arctic silver website, it can take 50-200 hours before it reaches it's final consistency.

Telecaster · 2 Mar 2015 at 21:47

I guess idle temps are subjective, it depends on ambient room temp and CPU cooler fan speeds, but yes it seems much better. Have you tried it under load?

stujim · 2 Mar 2015 at 22:05

Tried a blend test on Prime 95 and getting 91c after about 5 minutes. I also lowered my clock speed to 4.2ghz. I think i need to reapply the thermal paste as i have too much on there ( after looking at a video on youtube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hNgFNH7zhQ&feature=g-user-u

EDIT - Actually, make that 95c

Telecaster · 2 Mar 2015 at 22:27

Hmm still doesn't sound right TBH. Start with the good old 'pea sized blob' in the middle, tighten it down progressively from each corner until it's secure and then give it the final tighten.

That's pretty much the fool proof way to get it up and running, if temps are still OTT after this then there's something wrong somewhere. Double, triple and quadruple check that you've assembled all the baseplate and fittings correctly, and make sure it's tight.

dholdi · 2 Mar 2015 at 22:34

Isn't pea sized a little large ?

Telecaster · 2 Mar 2015 at 23:01

From the above video, if anything it's not big enough.

But that aside it's just a fool proof starting point to work from, if something is wrong after that then it isn't down to TIM application method, we can all argue until the cows come home about which is the ultimate method, but that's for another day when we've found out what is wrong here.

The-Plethora · 3 Mar 2015 at 10:03

Everyone is going to have different ideas on which is the best method

I use the finger in a plastic bag method, never had a problem and you guarantee good coverage that way. To each their own.

McGraw · 3 Mar 2015 at 12:39

I might make a couple of Perspex blocks and do some experiments.

stujim · 3 Mar 2015 at 17:48

Cleaned off the thermal paste, reapplied using the pea method and ran a test on Prime 95. Got max of 89c after a ten minute test

Andygully · 3 Mar 2015 at 21:35

Personally i use a small blob in the middle (slightly smaller than pea size) then a tiny amount close to each corner. Then tighten gradually each corner and iv never had a problem.

mrbazmondo · 3 Mar 2015 at 22:53

The important bit is to clean off the old stuff first. Kitchen roll with a drop of WD40 will help get off the last of it. Make sure you don't apply too much, you don't want it being squashed all round the side of the cpu.

stujim · 4 Mar 2015 at 18:46

Found out something interesting on the Intel forums. Apparently it's not recommended to use version 28 of Prime95 as that cains Haswell processors. Someone recommended version 26.6. with the latest version i'm hitting 90c, but with the earlier version i get 70c max. I tried OCCT and Aida64 and hit similar temps. I cleaned all the old stuff off first, then used the pea method to apply the arctic silver 5. seems to be working ok. hitting mid-thirties on idle, but i do have soundproofing foam fitted inside the case, so i guess this adds some heat.