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Thermal paste Q!

gug54321

gug54321

gug54321

Associate
Joined
23 Jan 2011
Posts
166
just a quick question how would you know if you applied too much thermal paste ( apart from excess running out of sides) i ask this as i fitted a new heatsink today and applied a fair amount athough a fair bit was left on the credit card spreader. i applied and spread sat the heatsink on give it a bit of a wiggle ( THE HEATSINK!) took it back of to make sure of coverage, bubbles ect. all looked good so clipped it in place. I cant see any squidging out but i know its all covered so i think i got it right, what are the signs of too much not enough paste?

(ve taken 6'C of idle temp on a zalman cooler does that sound about right)

thanks
 
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Imagine a circle in a square, you want that effect when applying paste.

Usually just putting a line and then placing the heatsink on top does the job fine. Did for me at least. :p

What are the temps like?
 
gug54321 said:
took it back of to make sure of coverage, bubbles ect. all looked good so clipped it in place.
thanks
Click to expand...

Isnt this a bad thing to do when applying thermal paste as it actually brings more bubbles in when reattaching the heatsink.

Ive always been told you put the paste on, put the heatsink on and then secure it, and if you need to remove it for any reason use new paste.
 
I thought that too, It won't be as even if you remove and re-apply but I don't think it will make too much difference if any.

Hard to say though, there are so many different viewpoints on how to apply thermal paste. Normally best to follow the manufacturers instructions as they will know which works best with their paste/cooler.
 
We need a sticky on TIM I think.

Blob in the middle is the best method, it's as simple as that. You just need the get the amount right, based on the viscosity of your choice of TIM and mounting pressure.

As above, circle in square is a good way to think of it. The actual cores of the CPU are underneath the middle of the heatspreader, so if there's good thermal contact there (no chance of air) it should be fine. Don't worry about whether it totally covers the IHS or heatsink base. The edges will probably make no difference, and the perfect amount of TIM will just reach the edge anyway.
 
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