Thermal paste on CPU or Water block??

I put the thermal paste on the CPU, just like a regular HSF.
I also did the older method of spreading out the thermal paste, from a pea sized drop. Never had an issue doing that way before, so I guess it's just become a habit for me.

I usually put a very VERY thin coat on both to really get it into the microscopic imperfections, then a rice grain on the middle of the CPU.

ok thanks for all your opinions guys but as I thought - mixed opinions all round. I think I'll go for a line down the middle as this is what arctic silver recommend for core 2 CPU's.

thanks

I would spead it because how sure can you be that it has spead evenly if you don't spead it first. Also when you have almost a tight fit twist the water block right to left to speadout any air pockets. Remember that the processers are mostly concaved (low in the center) and the CPU water block is normally flat as a pancake so start from the middle outward. Run the water cooling system before plugging anything into the electrical outlet and make sure that there are no leaks, this way if there are you don't fry your system.

Good luck

Actually I spead it so that it covers the hole CPU surface using my clean dry finger. If you can't feel what you are doing its like cutting the nurves in your arm. Spread the thermal paste from center out and make sure you have a little bit more paste in the center of CPU because of the low spot.

I even lapped my CPU and heatsink, it really makes a difference. Don't take my word for it have a look for yourself.



By Systemlord at 2007-12-09


By systemlord at 2007-12-09

I agree with Grimmy, the picture of this is shown in the arctic silver instructions for Dual Cores

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/ap [...] l_wcap.pdf

. o O (By Systemlord at 2007-12-09)

Not understanding why your posting pictures from your image shack album, if its not by you. I mean what you said:

follows that picture.

I understand the gaps filled by thermal grease is very small, that you couldn't see. I even think the size of a bb is allot, but still enough to cover the IHS to help recreate a seal, using a razor blade.

A lapped surface will give you more surface contact, but... I dunno, to me, really isn't worth the work. I know if I got my IHS that shiny looking, I'd be pissed off if it got scratch. As a matter of fact, my 7700 Zalman got scratch and had an indention from my old P4 Northwood. It had that lil hole in the IHS that caused the copper to be imprinted on the bottom of the HS.

But anyhoo.. Any company will want to sell its products, and perhaps put a twist on it. I brought AS5 when it was $15 bucks a tube... and I was pretty much disappointed. It's pretty much almost all gone from me, testing and retesting, and well... I know it really didn't help me much. So I have less faith in lapping, even though it can make it look literally cool.

Applying thermal paste is very very easy, it doesn't need researching. Just spread the paste on the IHS and then put the water block on top, thats it. If this seems to hard for you then have someone do it for you at a computer shop.

Let us know what your temps are when you all done, I've been thinking about getting a water cooling system. The quietness must be heaven.

bobbknight,

No, strangely enough even we can follow instructions and I'm glad your six year old is so capable!

It is to see if there are alternative and more effective methods of applying thermal paste and which experienced people like systemlord think give the best results.

@Shadow730793..

Well, I remember when I brought AS5, and mentioned my temps for a P4 2.66 (533FSB) Northwood, and even my upgrade to 3ghz (800FSB) my idle temps were usually 44C. And people kept telling me it should be lower.. you did your installation wrong.. You put too much on it.. Someone else would tell me they idle at 38C.. That's too hot, you should redo it..

And you know... I could get better temps if I didn't have a room ambient temp of 78-82F. So AS5 or lapping isn't going to make things any cooler fer me.

Edit:

Forgot to mention, I did get 38C idle when my room temps were 68-70F. So I wonder when people notice their temps drop, but don't noticed if their ambient temp got cooler??

@ Thanatos

Try water cooling kits. They're very good introductory kits for starters. Personally I highly recommend Swiftech's H20-120.

I truely believe that trying to spread the stuff all over the CPU leaves more of a chance for air bubbles to be trapped between the heatsink and CPU, and a possibility of having more thermal compound under the heatsink than is optimum. Afterall, you only need a very, very small amount to fill in the tiny imperfections between the 2 surfaces. A heavy application will actually result in an insulting effect and hamper heat transfer between the parts. I prefer the "grain of rice size" amount, and let the heatsink push the amount of thermal compound out in all directions when you set it into place. Using firm pressure accompanied by a "slight" left and right twist as you seat it down. If you have the right amount, you will just barely start to see some squeezing out around the edges in a few places.
My 2 cents worth.

First the reason your supposed to twist the CPU block slightly right to left after you place it on top is so you don't get any air bubbles. The amount needed is determand by how concaved the IHS is, because not everyone has lapped their CPU and when you lap your mating surfaces you require a lot less thermal paste.

Honestly the Zalman paste with the brush aplicator is sweet. You can get a perfect coat on the entire cpu surface. The Arctic Silver is ok but tbh I have never seen a difference over the Zalman stuff.

@ systemlord,


Ok here are the results of the overclocking and water cooling like you asked,

At the moment I'm running 360 x 10 but I need 1.468 Vcore to keep it stable. This leaves my temps idling at about 40 and at 100% load during a stability test, they don't go above 52, which I personally am quite happy with. Is there anything else I can increase that would allow me to then decrease my Vcore because I may as well run as cool as possible.

I forgot to mention that my processer and Tuniq Tower are both lapped to a mirror finish.

also forgot to ask. Do you think at these temps that I can afford to go a bit further, eg maybe 3.7 or 3.75. If I did this temps would probable be about 60. Do you think this is OK? Whats your usual load cut off temp?