Too much Thermal Paste?

[FinalSquall]

So like I put about 3 stipes of thermal paste on the CPU and it seems to have spread like all over it, should I clean it off and reapply or will it be ok?

 

[Randomface74]

depends what paste you used - if it's conductive and you got paste in the socket ur screwed, if it's non-conductive you can clean it.

Some people like to put a small blob in the middle and let it spread.
Some people like to put their finger in a plastic bag and spread it a bit first.

 

[Reaper 392]

is it just over the CPU, or is it on the motherboard as well?

its supposed to spread evenly over the CPU, but not be anywhere else. if you have a non conductive thermal paste then you should be fine with a bit on the motherboard (but i'd clean it up a bit anyway). if it is conductive then your going to want to do a very thorough cleaning job

 

[Verloren]

In general, the more thermal paste the worse the thermal performance, so I agree with everyone before me, clean it off and start over. If anything splurged over the socket, thats definitely a bad thing and should be cleaned.

Usually I do the blob in the middle method and spread it wafer thin with a razer blade (but that is kinda unnecessary), I would recommend blob in the middle and let the CPU cooler spread it for you when you mount it.

 

[FinalSquall]

So what should I clean it with?

 

[Levirginien]

So what should I clean it with?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-000-AC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=27

 

[panyan]

In general, the more thermal paste the worse the thermal performance,

wouldnt that mean no thermal paste gives the best performance?

 

[ToejaM]

Blob in the middle, credit card or similar to spread it evenly so it covers the plate of the cooler with no gaps but no more than a mm.

+ what they all said ^^