How and how much to apply thermal compound??

[Pavilion]

I finally received all my stuff and am trying to piece them together.

The first question I have is: how do I applied the thermal compound and how much should I use??

CPU: Q9550
Cooler: Nirvana NV120
Thermal Compound: MX-2

As a newbie, I am really afraid to fry that CPU. Please help me out and I highly appreciate your contribution.

 

[pbrigido]

Great question. Always a good thing to check the proper procedure before starting.

The link below will take you to a PDF file from Artic Silver's inforamation about how much and where to apply the compound. Even though you don't have this product, the principle is still the same.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

edit: On a side note, when they say a small amount, they do mean small. Applying too much compound can act as an insulator instead of a "gap" filler.

 

[bobbknight]

Go to the Arctic Silver website it will show you how to apply the thermal paste.

 

[ZOldDude]

If you -clean- the new parts first with Acetone then Alcohol you only need a "speck" about the size of an uncooked grain of rice.

Clean parts and correct application lets the cheap 99 cent silicon TIM give the same results as $100 per oz over priced stuff.

Use the forums search function to bring up a step-by-step "how to" post I made in the past.

Pay close attention to the cleaning and the pre-application steps...like primeing HS and CPU befor putting together.

 

[Pavilion]

If you -clean- the new parts first with Acetone then Alcohol you only need a "speck" about the size of an uncooked grain of rice.

Clean parts and correct application lets the cheap 99 cent silicon TIM give the same results as $100 per oz over priced stuff.

Use the forums search function to bring up a step-by-step "how to" post I made in the past.

Pay close attention to the cleaning and the pre-application steps...like primeing HS and CPU befor putting together.

What is "silicon TIM"?? Haven't heard of it before...
Also, does HS means the high speed fan? or something else??

I did a "how to" search under your name, but I still can't find that step-by-step how to post... Do you have a link??