Thermal Paste method

Rossdh

Rossdh

Rossdh

Associate
Joined
13 May 2009
Posts
803
Location
Glasgow
Hi guys. I'm sitting here at my desk wondering with my first ever build infront of me and I'm at the stage where the CPU cooler gets installed. I'm just wondering what is the best method to applying thermal paste? If it helps I'm using a Noctua NH-U12P-SE2. Cheers lads.
 
Oh another quick question, I'm wanting to re-apply thermal paste onto my 9800GT. Whats the best way to remove the paste that's already on it? would Diluted white spirit do the job?
 
Rossdh said:
Hi guys. I'm sitting here at my desk wondering with my first ever build infront of me and I'm at the stage where the CPU cooler gets installed. I'm just wondering what is the best method to applying thermal paste? If it helps I'm using a Noctua NH-U12P-SE2. Cheers lads.
Click to expand...

Firstly, rub a little bit of thermal paste into the heatsink to fill any air holes, rub it in well, doesn't matter if you shine it, its just to fill any air holes.

Just put a pea size in the middle of the CPU and apply the heat sink to it, pull it off to have a quick look to see how it's spread, hopefully evenly on the CPU, don't have any over spilling it, if it does, clean it away.

Rossdh said:
Oh another quick question, I'm wanting to re-apply thermal paste onto my 9800GT. Whats the best way to remove the paste that's already on it? would Diluted white spirit do the job?
Click to expand...

Yes.
 
I use the line method with AS5, line down the middle of the chip, leaving room of expansion, line needs to be about 5mm thick or so... which is about the thickness that AS5 pushes out, leave about 5mm for it to expand lengthways.

You can't REALLY go wrong, as said above - just remove any excess, with my method I get an even spread and no excess.

Let us know how you get on, tbh you could always mount the cooler, screw it in then take it off to check its covering the whole chip?
 
There's no real wrong way to do it as long as you apply the right amount.

I usually spread it with a credit card to get it even, but I have found that using a dot or line gives the exact same results.
 
Strawberry said:
There's no real wrong way to do it as long as you apply the right amount.
Click to expand...

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Anyways, Ive always gone off the 'less is more' rule; small pea sized blob in the middle and let the pressure of the heatsink spread it out evenly. You put a razer or credit card or whatever else in there your just making a mess.
 
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