How to make sure thermal compound spreads properly

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Fritzpoll

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Jun 10, 2015
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Installed an i3 2105 with stock cooler a couple of years ago. Used AS5 as the compound using their recommended vertical line method

Having heating issues so removed sink and found the paste never spread! When I apply the new compound later (MX4), what can I do to make sure it spreads?

 
Solution
Darkbreeze
Apply the correct pressure. If the paste did not spread at all then the heatsink base was not adequately tightened down onto the CPU lid. Something may have been blocking the heatsink from being fully seated or the unit may not have been clamped down properly. There is no method of spreading that works better than simply applying an uncooked rice grain sized line or very small pea sized amount in the very center. Anything more or less is unnecessary and will probably result in poor cooling.


Make sure the heatsink retaining bracket is locking fully down and that nothing is blocking the unit from seating. There may be loose screws on the retainer to backplate assembly or one of the tabs is not engaged fully. Any CPU that is properly...
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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Apply the correct pressure. If the paste did not spread at all then the heatsink base was not adequately tightened down onto the CPU lid. Something may have been blocking the heatsink from being fully seated or the unit may not have been clamped down properly. There is no method of spreading that works better than simply applying an uncooked rice grain sized line or very small pea sized amount in the very center. Anything more or less is unnecessary and will probably result in poor cooling.


Make sure the heatsink retaining bracket is locking fully down and that nothing is blocking the unit from seating. There may be loose screws on the retainer to backplate assembly or one of the tabs is not engaged fully. Any CPU that is properly locked down should automatically spread pretty much any amount of paste enough to be noticeable when removed. It doesn't need to be entirely covering the cpu lid.


You can use this as a visual guide even though it's for a different cooler:

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2520482/solving-temperature-issues-hyper-212-evo.html
 
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