Thermal Compound Break In?

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lkmellone

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Dec 26, 2014
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Hey guys, it's my first post here...
Well, I'm with temp. issues, and I'm trying to figure out what is the problem.
According to my processor sheet, the ideal temperature is below 62°C, but it has already reached 70°C. So, facing this, I just replaced the thermal compound - something I didn't do since I got this rig. I used MX-4, using the Pea method, but 'till now (10 minutes after replacing it and turning it on), the temperatures haven't changed.
Isn't the temps meant to change right away? Do I need to wait a little more for it to set?

Specs:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE 3.2GHz
16GB DDR3 1333MHz (Dual Channel)
EVGA GTX 460 1GB
Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
SATA II Seagate 500GB 7200RPM

Thanks!
 
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junkeymonkey

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I like to let it sit in bios for a few min. and monitor the temps and all do a few start ups and sit in bios to insure it applied right and alls well then proceed with whats next in completing the build .. the less stuff you have to remove if a issue pops up the better [opinion]
 
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lkmellone

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Dec 26, 2014
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Yes, I'm using the stock cooler.
I know a new solution could be changing the cooler, but I live in Brazil, and a new cooler is a bit expensive.
 
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clutchc

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The stock cooler should be fine as long as the CPU isn't OC'ed. Are you reporting idle temps or load temps?
 
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lkmellone

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It isn't OC'ed. By now, idle temps are about 50°C and the load temps are above 64°C.

Should I try to reapply it?
 
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lkmellone

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How can I configure that in the bios?
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Yeah, I'd do that at least. Be sure to THOROUGHLY clean the old stuff off of both the cooler and CPU. And let it dry for a few minutes before applying new. I like to use: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010
But you can use isopropyl alcohol if you don't have the cleaner/purifier handy. When you go to apply it to an AMD CPU, just put a tiny dab less than the size of a pencil eraser tip in the middle of the CPU's heat spreader. The pressure and heat will spread it.

You are just trying to create a thin film between surfaces. Just enough to fill in the microscopic pores in the metal surfaces. Too much thermal paste will increase temps.

I presume you are reading Core temps, yes? Idle should be between 30C and 40C at most. My stock cooled Phenom II X4 idles at 28C with C&Q enabled.
 
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lkmellone

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Dec 26, 2014
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I'm pretty sure I put the correct amount, but I think I'll try it again. I used isopropyl alcohol to clean things up and then apply the paste.

Well, my idle temps are way too hot compared to this.
Do you get these temps immediately after replacing the thermal compound and turning the pc on?
 
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lkmellone

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Just tried again and nothing's changed.
Idle temps continues 50°C or more.
Don't know what to do :??:

 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Yes, your temps should be good immediately with MX-2 or MX-4. (I prefer MX-4)
I'm stumped too as to what your problem could be. Maybe the cooler's fan is not spinning at the full RPM. Maybe the retention bracket is loose.
Try this; run AMD Overdrive and check the thermal margin for the 4 cores. let me know what it reports at idle.
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/4645-amd-overdrive.html

I suppose the next step is to look for an aftermarket cooler.
 
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lkmellone

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At idle, the thermal margin for each core is 16.5°C - minimum - to 19.5°C - maximum. Is it that any good? :(
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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That's horrible! Maybe you better take the MB out of the case and breadboard it until you find out what the problem is. What RPM is the cooler fan spinning at?
 
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slyu9213

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Phew that is a bit warm to hot even for a stock cooler especially with some good thermal paste. Some thermal paste have break in time but as another user said MX-4 doesn't. Are you sure you're getting good contact between the heatsinks and CPU? Like clutchc said I would check to see the RPM of the CPU fan. Is the CPU fan plugged in the CPU fan slot or a case fan slot? If you find the option in the BIOS I would try to set the fan to run at 100% and see if there are any temp differences.
 
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lkmellone

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Hey slyu,
well my fan is plugged in a special slot for CPU fan at the mobo :/

clutchc, I've checked my fan speed in BIOS, and it says it rotates at 6250 RPM.

I don't get it. When I applied, I rubbed with isopropyl alcohol until it gets very shiny, applied a nice amount of paste (not too much, not too little) and just pressed the cooler and fixed it.
Well, I doesn't seems things are nice to me eh...
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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I'm wondering if you have too much thermal paste applied. Try this...
Take a lint-free cloth or paper (I use unbleached coffee filters) and wipe the excess TIM off the CPU and cooler. Don't clean it all off, just wipe the excess away. Leave a thin film behind. Re-install the cooler and see if anything changes.
 
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lkmellone

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But.. won't that cause air bubbles? Won't it damage the application?
Can I wait and do this tomorrow? Because it's 2:30AM here :(
 
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slyu9213

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Haha, yes you can wait to do this tomorrow. It is your computer, your time, and people need their rest. It will cause air bubbles but it's only for testing purposes and shouldn't cause damage for a short test. Next time you apply paste try to use even smaller doses than pea sized. Maybe rice grain sized.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Yes, if and when is up to you.
No, the thin film left behind is all you really need. It obviously is no good the way it is now. I'm just trying to help you determine what the problem is. Is the CPU new or did you buy it used?
 
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lkmellone

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The CPU is new. Well, I have this rig since 2011, and I got everything brand new back on these days.
I didn't know if I can do it tomorrow because I didn't know if the thermal compound would "dry".
 
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lkmellone

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Something I don't know if will help to figure out what problem is:
Today I started my computer and checked the CPU temp at the BIOS. It started by 30°C and slowly raised to 45°C.
When I booted Windows, the temps raised to 60°C :(

I'll try that solution and wipe the excess of paste and keep you updated.

UPDATE: Just tried again and nothing's changed.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Btw, just in case I confused you, I meant wait a few seconds for the cleaner to dry... evaporate. Not the thermal paste.

OK. It appears that there is something wrong with the CPU or the cooler. Short of trying a new aftermarket cooler, I'm stumped. Thermal margin agrees with the Core temp. Both show the readings you get are not flukes. I guess you better clean the TIM off again and apply the stuff anew since that experiment didn't prove out.
 
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