best thermal application method?

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puddingman1192

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Nov 17, 2012
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Im going to be getting the amd fx 8350 soon, as well as some arctic silver 5 paste. I will be using the evo 212 as my aftermarket heatsink, and i am really curious as to the best way to apply thermal paste, as i really haven't done it before.

thermal paste-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007


ps i often see in videos of people lifting the heatsink off of the cpu after mashing the paste around to see how it looks. is it ok to do this or does it create too many air pockets? thanks
 
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todd1780
If you only use a rice sized drop of paste, when you smooth it out into an even layer, it will be the correct thickness. Just make sure that it is even. That's very important.
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Calculatron

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Dot method, about the size of a grain of rice, or lentil.

If you want to see how it spread, and you take the heatsink off, it's best to re-apply the thermal compound.

Arctic Silver 5 is an oldy but goody. Arctic Cooling MX-4, or Noctua NT-H1 would be a better choice, if only because they're foolproof.
 
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someguynamedmatt

someguynamedmatt

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People yell at me for my method of TIM application, so I'll keep that to myself right now. I just wanted to say that while AS5 is a tried and true thermal paste, there are better options out there now, and Calculatron mentioned my favorite - Noctua NT-H1. It performs better under most conditions, doesn't have the lengthy burn-in period of AS5, and is easier to apply ontop of that. It's worth the extra $1 just for these benefits, at least in my opinion.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

This is always a helpful video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rn0BqMyXBM

...and this guy did a little demonstration of the different ways to apply thermal compound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4
 
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todd1780

todd1780

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I don't trust the heat sink to spread the paste evenly and I don't want to remove the heat sink after it is applied, that can create voids that won't allow the heat sink to do its job properly.
I apply a rice sized dot of paste to the center of the CPU. Then I use a small piece of scotch tape to gently smooth the paste into a thin even layer across the CPU (using the side that isn't sticky of course). The entire top of the CPU must be covered with the paste.
This assures me that the paste was applied correctly before I install the heat sink.
This method has worked very well for me over the years.
 
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puddingman1192

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thanks guys
and i wasnt locked in on AS5
im not that familiar with thermal compound and I had read its better than most
but should i take off the heatsink or not? doesnt it seem backwards that if u take if off u have to reapply
 
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todd1780

todd1780

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Some people remove it, others don't. I was just telling you the method that works for me. You do whatever you feel is best.
It bothers me to see people removing the heat sink after the paste has been applied. It risks contamination and voids. But that's just me.
 
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puddingman1192

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see thats how i feel
i think ill try the scotch tape method though. and it should just be a real thin layer, escpecially at edges?
 
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todd1780

todd1780

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If you only use a rice sized drop of paste, when you smooth it out into an even layer, it will be the correct thickness. Just make sure that it is even. That's very important.
 
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puddingman1192

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will do. thanks
 
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