Thermal paste - How to apply?

bloodline76

bloodline76

bloodline76

Soldato
Joined
7 Feb 2004
Posts
9,511
Can someone tell me how to apply the thermal paste for my cpu cooler?

I have always spread it over the surface before but with my rebuild I think I have applied too much.

Reading some reviews on the buyers section they say add only a pea size amount to the cpu. Is this correct?

Do you still spread it over the entire chip?

Thanks
 
I apply a small thin line of it to the CPU, where the core would be, and then whack on the heatsink. Before I fix it in place, I give it a few turns which seems to work for me.
 
BlackDragon said:
I apply a small thin line of it to the CPU, where the core would be, and then whack on the heatsink. Before I fix it in place, I give it a few turns which seems to work for me.
Click to expand...

the reason I am confused is that everyone seems to do it differently. Some do the line down the middle and twist others put on a small pea/rice blob and cover thinly.

Me personally like a muppet spread it thickly over the surface lol :D

So which way is best?
 
All of the advice I've read, from people who get good overclocks and great temps, is to apply as little as possible. Applying too much gives adverse results.
 
scook94 said:
All of the advice I've read, from people who get good overclocks and great temps, is to apply as little as possible. Applying too much gives adverse results.
Click to expand...

This is correct.

You have to understand what TIM is trying to achieve to understand how much TIM to apply. TIM isn't glue, it's merely filling the microscopic inperfections on the two connecting surfaces, so the amount to apply is only very small. Once all these pits are filled, then the heat can be transferred to the HSF more efficiently and effectively. Not applying TIM means that there will be small microscopic pit that have no contact with the HSF, which would create hotspots. Applying too much will reduce the conductivity of the heat.

I've yet to upload the finished article on the above link.
 
Last edited:
Admiral Huddy said:
This is correct.

You have to understand what TIM is trying to achieve to understand how much TIM to apply. TIM isn't glue, it's merely filling the microscopic inperfections on the two connecting surfaces, so the amount to apply is only very small. Once all these pits are filled, then the heat can be transferred to the HSF more efficiently and effectively. Not applying TIM means that there will be small microscopic pit that have no contact with the HSF, which would create hotspots. Applying too much will reduce the conductivity of the heat.

I've yet to upload the finished article on the above link.
Click to expand...

So your advice would be to apply a small amount and spread it smoothly over the surface. So the idea is to make sure that there are no bits that arent covered that touch the heatsink but not too much that it reduces the connection?
 
bloodline76 said:
So your advice would be to apply a small amount and spread it smoothly over the surface. So the idea is to make sure that there are no bits that arent covered that touch the heatsink but not too much that it reduces the connection?
Click to expand...

Correct.. Look at the pictures on the above link (post 2), I haven't finished this page yet but look at the amount of TIM I've applied. About the size of a grain of rice. Then spread it out evenly. It's hard work stretching it out, but it will go. It's so thin, it shines :)
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Correct.. Look at the pictures on the above link (post 2), I haven't finished this page yet but look at the amount of TIM I've applied. About the size of a grain of rice. Then spread it out evenly. It's hard work stretching it out, but it will go. It's so thin, it shines :)
Click to expand...

Thanks. That is great help. I have the annoying job of unplugging it all again and reseating now. :(

I really like upgrading but I hate that bit when you turn the power button on and nothing happens...
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Correct.. Look at the pictures on the above link (post 2), I haven't finished this page yet but look at the amount of TIM I've applied. About the size of a grain of rice. Then spread it out evenly. It's hard work stretching it out, but it will go. It's so thin, it shines :)
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will give that a try. Appreicate the help!

Could I be cheeky and use the paste that I have already put on or do I need to wipe it all off and start again?
 
Last edited:
One point....if you find you have one of those C2D chips that are slightly "dished", then the "thin line down the middle" method can actually be the best way of getting good temp results from it to offset the concaveness/convexness of the IHS.

I had an E63200 which was like this and found I got lower temps using the thin line down the middle method than any of the other methods. Seems like it helps to "fill" or "pad out" the depression on the IHS. :cool:

If your spreading the small amount all over the IHS or the CPU's die ( depending on what processor you are installing ) I know that it used to be said that you knew you had the correct amount on if after spreading it over the surface you could just and no more, make out any printed numbers on the CPU or heatspreader.

Dunno if that is still applicable these days. ;)
 
I found the guide on the arctic silver website very simple and easy to follow for my first cpu installation.

  1. Make thin line
  2. Place cooler on top of chip at a slight off-angle
  3. Twist cooler straight
  4. Press down and lock in position
 
A pea sized amount of thermal paste is really way too much. I use about a 2mm ball of arctic silver and spread it thinly and evenly over the whole surface of the IHS using a credit card or something similar. As mentioned above, the idea is really to fill in any gaps between the heatsink and the fan, so you don't want anymore than necessary.
 
Just to update you guys. I did the pea/rice method and thinly spread the paste with clingfilm. With coretemp I am now getting 25/20 on idle and 55/50 full load.

When before I was getting 35/30 idle and throttling on full.

Much better. Thanks for all your advice guys. Very much appreciated!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom