Spreading Thermal past vs Not spreading?

ForestDingo · Apr 23, 2015

I've been watching some videos on computer building and one person put a pea sized gob down in the middle of it and called it good. A newegg guy spread it around with a plastic bag over his finger.

Which should I do?

Brunostako · Apr 23, 2015

Same doubt.

I always spread it, but i've seen some recommend the other method.

boogalooelectric · Apr 23, 2015

I have tried both methods and both work. It really depends on the thermal paste you are using as some are thicker in viscosity than others.

If dealing with a more watery feeling paste such as Zalman's paste then its best to spread it thinly over the heat plate and the Zalman even comes with a small brush to assist with this. Just make sure you leave a light coating so as not to have it squirt onto other components.

But the thicker pastes should be applied using the pea/rice grain method, and when you do use this method its a good idea to gently twist the heat sink back and forth as you mash it down to pop any air bubbles that might occur.

geofelt · Apr 23, 2015

I use the drop in the middle method
It spreads our under heat and pressure without the risk of any air pockets.
One common mistake is to use too much paste. It will then act as an insulator.
It is hard to use too little.

Saberus · Apr 23, 2015

About the size of two grains of rice, or a Nerd candy, or a dried split pea half. That's usually all the paste you need. Spreading it out beforehand can leave air pockets which will make it not work as intended. Just a bit in the center and securing the heat sink in an X formation in two stages works for most CPUs. (First stage is just getting all the screws threaded, then to snug. Overtightening will snap threads, let the springs provide the holding force.)

jsmithepa · Apr 23, 2015

To me, the more the paste is manipulated, the more contaminant is introduced. So to this I say no spreading. Just spend time cleaning both surfaces throughly until your lint-free towel shows nothing but white, squeeze a drop of paste, covering about 1/8 of the total surface, right on the middle of the CPU and very slowly lower the heatsink, once made contact, gently wiggle back and forth to help the spreading, then the tightening up of the whole heatsink should finish the job.

Search

Spreading Thermal past vs Not spreading?

ForestDingo

Honorable

Brunostako

Honorable

boogalooelectric

Distinguished

geofelt

Titan

Saberus

Distinguished

jsmithepa

Polypheme

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page