Installing Direct Contact Heat Pipe Coolers?

What is the best way to apply thermal compound to these coolers as the bases have large gaps between pipes and baseplate?

Also what sort of compound?

I am installing a Xigmatek s-1283 onto a Q6600 both stock (unlapped).

I have OCZ Ultra 5 TIM and the stuff that came from Xigmatek.

What should I use and how should I put it on.

I normally rely on the instructions from Arctic Silver.

Cyborg

I was reading a review of the Xigmatek s-1283 (can't remember where) and the guy tried different methods. The best method he found was to apply a thin line directly along each heatpipe and then attach the heatsink. This ensured there was enough TIM between each heatpipe and the heat spreader. This method uses more TIM than usual, but the excess will find it's way into the gaps rather than squishing over the side.

The reviewer found the traditional method (line of TIM down the center of the heatspreader) did not allow the TIM to spread out to the outer heatpipes.

It's important to note that it's only important the the heatpipes have good contact on these types of heatsinks. The metal blocks between the pipes are there for stability; they transfer little or no heat.

Also, read this:

Edit: Oh, here you go. This isn't the review I was reading but it seems to be better and has some good pictures:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index. [...] mitstart=4

qwertycopter Thanks for the info.