I have a question about applying some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound to a dual core Intel CPU. I've been poking around the internet, and most people say to just put a small amount, about the size of a grain of rice or so on the CPU. Arctic Silver's instructions, however, say to apply a small line on the processor. Which method is better or doesn't it matter? Thanks a lot.

I always use a VERY small amount and spread it with a credit card around the integrated heat sink. It it actually probably less than a grain of rice.
 
Overall I would say use the least amount of thermal grease as possible. a thin coat is better than a thick one.
 
Good luck,
 
William

Follow arctic silvers instructions based on your processors type (single, dual, or quad). The best way is to listen to the instructions. I followed them for this q6600 rig I just built for a family friend, thing line horizontally. This rig is a beast =P.

go to the artic silver website, there are instructions there that are REALLY simple... just follow them

I know how to follow directions lol, I was just wondering why no one seems to follow them. O_o

Well I don't follow them because frankly I believe that a line of thermal compound would make too thick a layer on the CPU. I think it would inhibit the transfer of heat from the processor to the HSF.  
 
I followed the directions from Arctic Silver one time and almost had thermal compound oozing out. It is a waste of expensive thermal compound when you apply that much.
 
William

Now I'm torn lol.

Keep in mind, as pressure is placed upon the heatsink, the thermal compound is spread out to the concave portions between the heatsink/heatspreadder. Spreading the compound thin with a credit card can hurt the cooling potential. Personally, I let the force of the heatsink move the compound where it needs to me. It does the job well enough for me. =P

I normally put it on the proc, and use the finger method it's messy. But this method makes sure it's spread, then use a razor blade to even it off.

I do agree with you Kamrooz. I found that doing it my way suits me so that is why I recommend it. Totakeke; whether you follow my advice or Kamrooz your processor will not be harmed. Either way it will stay cool.
 
I will post my idle temps just to show you that my supported method does work. With my Zalman CNPS9500 at 100% I idle at 36 degrees Celsius. Ambient temperature in my room is 20 degrees Celsius. Keep in mind I am mildly overclocked.
 
My point is either way works. Do whatever you'd like and don't lose sleep over this.
 
William

This rig idles around 26-28 depending on room temperature, full load is around 40-44 c depending on the cores. Q6600 @ 3ghz. Right now it's at 45-48C though, It's DAMN hot in my room right now with a prescott and this rig running folding@home...lol...Having my door and windows closed hasn't helped either. Need to get as much use out of this build before I give it to the person I built it for =P...Go go folding!

Damn Kamrooz you are a folding maniac. You bend those proteins. Sweating for the cure I suppose. A good cause I give you that.

^_^...I'm only going to have this rig for another day or two, so folding dem proteins as fast as I couldz! =P. Let's just say my main rig, a 3.2 prescott, doesn't do a very god job ::shakes head in disappointment::. But yea, a oc'ed q6600 + SMP Folding@Home is great ^_^.

You dont want to touch it with your finger, the oils from your skin can inhibit the heat transfer.  What I do is place 5 small dots on the IHS, in a pattern like the 5 on a die.  This gives even coverage, and allows the heatsink to distribute compound as needed.

Yeah I remember doing SETI@home looking for ET a long time ago on a 1.2 Ghz Athlon Thunderbird with 512 Megs of RAM. It took three days to do a work unit. Folding@home would whoop its ass.
 
Poor little Prescott. He was good in his day but the Core architecture buried him. Now he has to fold protein for the rest of his life.    

B-unit; I agree with you about the oils. I used to go so far as to wear latex gloves while applying the AS5. Now I am just really careful.
 
William

 
I think he would appreciate you putting him to good use. At least its better than sitting in the dumpster waiting to be sent to the landfill.

 
That is very true. It is too bad my Athlon is already poluting or I would have him do the same thing Kamrooz is doing.

lol...My main rig (prescott once again) is a 24/7 folding machine. I'm a video editing and 3d modeler, but since this rig is just unacceptable for todays needs, I just ignore pursuing those fields farther until I get a new rig, I've turned to photoshop painting with my tablet till I can afford a new rig. =P...
 
But yea, it take pretty much 2-3 days now to run a WU via folding@home....lol. It's horrid. I have a p3 933 rig sitting next to me as well, and a dual AMD MP 1800+ rig...The dual amd rig died many years ago, I brought it back to life recently somehow, but i left it off for a while, when I turn it on now I smell a burnt sensation, so I quickly shut it off, too lazy to re-mount and add more thermal goop =P...Once I get the time and off my lazy ass, I'll do so, and add another mediocre folding machine to my repertoire..MWHAHAHAH!

 
Wow you've got quite the museum going there Kamrooz. A prescott, a Pentium 3, and an AMD. The electric company probably loves you. Mediocre sure, but who knows you may receive the work unit that cures cancer. I can see it now: "Pentium 3 finds the cure for cancer!" It would certainly show those of us with dual and quad core computers. Your P3 would end up in a museum and you'd get rich.