Thermal paste - how do you prefer to apply it ?

[howardb]

Method 1 for me... will try the cross method on my next build

 

[mintydroid]

In 2004 I had to rebuild my PC as the mobo and psu blew. Decided to upgrade the CPU at the same time. I'd never had to do anything like that before. I struggled through it and got the beast operational again. It was only about three years after that, that I discovered that you needed thermal paste for the job. I hadn't used any. I also broke one of the clips for the CPU heatsink.

The machine is still working to this day without an issue. No thermal paste and broken heatsink and all...

You should slap on some paste. Its dirt cheap. The cpu won't heat up as much when it's on.

 

[DJ...]

You should slap on some paste. Its dirt cheap. The cpu won't heat up as much when it's on.

If it conks out then so be it. It had a good innings. I'm hardly geeky enough to want to do that sort of thing. Besides, it's worked this long. Clearly the thing operates on magic...

 

[ponder]

2

 

[DA-LION-619]

I use a plastic bag as a glove and I apply a thin layer of paste to the CPU

 

[Seriously]

I make a cross from corner to corner and then let the heatsync spread it.

I saw an article about how to apply thermal paste on a hardware site once and they tested about 10 different ways to apply it, and the cross one gave the best results. I've been using that method ever since.

This one?



http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Thermal-Paste-Application-Techniques-170/

Final conclusion? Think about it!

Michael Tran • a year ago
What would be the most optimal amount of paste and spread method for a processor without an integrated heatsink? For instance, a laptop processor with just the die coming into contact with the base of the heatsink?

Matt Bach
For something like that, I would use the smooth spread method. Getting perfect coverage on a non-square shaped die is going to be difficult unless you do the spreading yourself. If you are unsure if the coverage is good or not, it's usually a good idea to apply the thermal paste, install the heatsink, then remove the heatsink and see how well it spread. Check that the entire die is covered and that not too much was pressed out the sides. You will want to clean off the die and heatsink and reapply the thermal paste, but at least you will know for sure if you are using the right amount.

 

[Rickster]

heatsync

/giggle

 

[Seriously]

My preference

http://www.frozencpu.com/resource/r8/How_to_Apply_Thermal_Paste.html

Very thin spread. Because?

Ideally, you will want to use slightly less material than the amount shown above. Just remember that once heat is applied to thermal grease the viscosity will thin and spread out towards the edges just a little more, allowing the surfaces to come into closer (or direct) contact with each other. Keep in mind that thermal paste is only meant to fill the gaps, not coat the surface; perfectly flat metal on metal with no material in-between is your ultimate goal.

http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com...sk=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=3

Some more info and test. Take note that less or just enough is better!

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/What-is-the-Best-Way-to-Apply-Thermal-Grease-Part-1/1303/10

 

[NomNom]

Defiantly option 1, option 2 allows for air pockets and/or uneven spread of the paste.

 

[sajunky]

Defiantly option 1, option 2 allows for air pockets and/or uneven spread of the paste.

I disagree. There is no precise control on amount of compound. It can be too little or to much. And more important, it leads to a thick gap between surfaces. Small air pockets are not so important as the minimum distance requirement. If you worry about air pockets, apply paste to both sides, but it is easy to ovedose such way. I found that simply rotating radiator with light force (5 degrees lef-right few times) before clipping it on removes all excess compound and leaves no dry space inside.

 

[crysis]

I disagree. There is no precise control on amount of compound. It can be too little or to much. And more important, it leads to a thick gap between surfaces. Small air pockets are not so important as the minimum distance requirement. If you worry about air pockets, apply paste to both sides, but it is easy to ovedose such way. I found that simply rotating radiator with light force (5 degrees lef-right few times) before clipping it on removes all excess compound and leaves no dry space inside.

Nope:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hNgFNH7zhQ

 

[sajunky]

I have seen many cases of thick layer in the centre leaving 20% of the surface dry.

 

[Syphonx]

3. Put down 2 intersecting lines of thermal paste, essentially making an X.

 

[Grant]

Sensually, all over my body. Then I rub myself up and down against my CPU. It's just more fun that way...

uhm
this was about thermal paste - not other white bodily fluids !

 

[DJ...]

uhm
this was about thermal paste - not other white bodily fluids !

Yeah, I know.

Don't judge me...

 

[Messugga]

Yeah, I know.

Don't judge me...

Having a lonely Saturday night, eh?

 

[DJ...]

Having a lonely Saturday night, eh?

Stomach bug. Let's not discuss fluids...

 

[grim]

1

Most people also put way too much paste on which then oozes over the edges of the chip which pulls the heat there instead of allowing the heatsink to soak it up

 

[chrisc]

About 10mm across the top of a toothbrush

 

[D4N]

1. and the size of a grain of rice.