Best method to spread thermal paste "Arctic Silver 5"?

i use the palstic bag method to ensure a very smooth layer coats the whole CPU, and then add another small drop to the center to be spread by the HSF.

Its worked very well for me until now, and i think its the most effective way to ensure good contact without over-applying.

I just put a dot in the centre. With practice, I have learned to apply the right amount. I like this method because it completely avoids any possibility of trapped air bubbles.
Although, the differences are so very minor that they may not even make a difference of even a single degree. Apply in whatever way you want, I say. Just don't over apply.

+1 to what welshmousepk said.

Super thin layer on the chip (just enough to not see the chip), then a dot on the HSF.

That's just what I do!

I use the method with the plastic card. I add the classic 'grain of rice' to the cpu and spread it evenly. I don't like the clamp pressure method, especially with AS5, because it's a quite thick TIM and the pressure needed to spread it cannot be healty for the cpu/mobo. No cooler's mounting system will create that amount of stress anyway. Other TIM's like OCZ's are much thinner. Then you can consider that method.

Also depends on the cooler you're using. If you have a Zalman with its mirror finished perfectly flat base, only apply a thin layer on the cpu, no extra dot on the heatsink as you will certainly overdo then.
I have a ultra 120 extreme, with large machine marks on the base which isn't flat at all. I apply a thin layer on the cpu and fill up the machine marks (which are more like grooves) with paste. I tried other methods in the past but this works best for this cooler in my opinion.

Enzo Matrix FTW

Directions are so bland these days. I want to know what people have experience with to better myself and then to be able to better others when they need to know.

benson733, I've got a little question for you. Can you explain me how to add the cpu-z validator banner to this forum? I'd like to add mine too. Just copying the url on cpu-z's page doesn't seem to work for me.

Thanks

you have to get the stadalone jpeg link, then paste it between

When you click submit in cpu-z validator you want to use this link not the address bar link.

http://yfrog.com/jktutfp

Send you a PM. Better to discuss it there.

Wow that's awesome. Your multiplier is actually one more than it should be:
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=41447
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37148

It's at 22 when it should be at 21. The multiplier is locked on this CPU too. It's clocked as a 940, but CPU-z reads it as a 930. Your box says 930?

I did not get the box. I went to this little repair shop with an MDG connection, I told the guy what I wanted exactly and he installed it for me. Everything says 930 I assume the box said 930 too.

Cool so I got a "rare" cpu then? ( haha my 930 was clocked as a 940 at the factory, meaning I got a $250 deal!!!)

Have you ever heard of Intel Turbo Mode? This ups the multiplier by one and even two if only one core is used.

I heard of it but don't know what it does....

Well now you know. It even looks like you've got it enabled. I don't recommend it as it takes over cpu voltage control and sets it way to high. Before I OC'ed my 920, I had TM enabled to get 2.8G and it set the voltage to 1.25V. Now I have it running 24/7 at 3.8G and only 1.22V.

I just assumed his computer was idle when he took the readings. And I thought it turbo'd to 3.06GHz, not 2.93GHz?
run prime95 all threads and see if it settles on a multiplier setting.

as for thermal paste, I heard on the i7 chips to use an x ( it's what I used) just my 2 cents

22*133MHz equals 2926MHz or 2.93GHz. Why 3.06GHz?

X-pattern seems like using way too much paste to me.

here is my idle readings for my cpu...

Because that's what intel said lol. read the specs I linked you to about the i7 930.

Yes now I see. 3.06GHz is the rare case when it sets the MP to 23 (in case of 930) and this renders 23*133=3059MHz.

@ benson733: You should see the result I get when adding my signature. Only the url itself, no banner  

your missing the bolded section

is this a normal idle for my cpu? http://yfrog.com/1aidlebp

About the CPU: That seems normal for a CPU which has Intel Speedstep and other powersaving utilities turned on. I disable them so in your case that would give 2.8G in idle instead of 1.6G.

About the banner: is this what I should write at signatures:

WHAT!!! In a post it works!!!! Strange

how do I disable the power saving???

Goto bios. Then look for something like CPU features. Maybe it's already listed in your OC main page.