Too much paste on CPU

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tomtaylor0109

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Aug 25, 2017
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Hello there.
My problem is that I successfully applied too much paste on my CPU. How much? Literally the whole tube that came with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. The computer boots up fine, fortunately no pins were damaged. My problem is that around the CPU I can see the paste and I’d like you guys to help me out. I need to remove those leftovers somehow, I just don’t know how. Moreover, my CPU Cooler tends to be loud and the CPU itself is at 40 degrees. Are these because of too much paste? The CPU is an i7 7700k.
 
Solution
Solandri
The point of the paste is to fill in microscopic air gaps in the metal-on-metal contact between the CPU's heat spreader and the heat sink. Air is about 100x worse at transmitting heat than thermal paste.

But thermal paste is about 100x worse at transmitting heat than metal-on-metal. So applying too much thermal paste is actually worse than no thermal paste. I use a half-pea sized dollop, then mash it down with the heat sink, twisting until I feel metal grinding on metal. Then I strap it down.

I'm not sure about spreading it using your fingers. I dunno what the oil/grease layer that leaves would do. I don't think it would compromise the thermal conductivity (just about anything is better than air - people have used toothpaste...
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dudio

dudio

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Apr 26, 2015
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If you applied too much, then you at least know how to mount a cooler (give or take).
Shut her down, and remove the heatsink. Remove all the paste without getting it everywhere.
If there's any mess, wipe it up with a pad and rubbing alcohol.
Re-apply some of the paste onto the CPU. You can apply a pea size, or a rice size
(not sure if that's basmati or parboiled) or you can apply a really thin even layer using your fingers.
 
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Solandri

Solandri

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Jan 4, 2012
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The point of the paste is to fill in microscopic air gaps in the metal-on-metal contact between the CPU's heat spreader and the heat sink. Air is about 100x worse at transmitting heat than thermal paste.

But thermal paste is about 100x worse at transmitting heat than metal-on-metal. So applying too much thermal paste is actually worse than no thermal paste. I use a half-pea sized dollop, then mash it down with the heat sink, twisting until I feel metal grinding on metal. Then I strap it down.

I'm not sure about spreading it using your fingers. I dunno what the oil/grease layer that leaves would do. I don't think it would compromise the thermal conductivity (just about anything is better than air - people have used toothpaste, denture cream, peanut butter). But as the grease evaporates or is eaten by bacteria, it could create an air gap between the paste and the metal surface it's supposed to be in contact with.
 
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