How Do I Apply Arctic Silver 5?

melikepie

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2011
1,612
0
19,810
How do i, i have a FX 8120 but im using stock cooling with stock pad how do i remove the pad and apply thermal paste? I did not order cleaner since im using a pad not paste.
 

Gamer Dude

Distinguished
Feb 10, 2012
226
0
18,690
I personally have been putting a small blob on the CPU and spreading it evenly with a bank card etc it works and not problems yet in ten years. I spread the paste thin and even with the bank card to about an even as possible 1/16 of an inch layer even across the whole CPU.
 

melikepie

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2011
1,612
0
19,810

i heard so far just put a pea sized blob in the middle and put the heatsink on without spreading to prevent air bubbles does this work?
 

Gamer Dude

Distinguished
Feb 10, 2012
226
0
18,690

It will work just not ideal because with my method IMHO is works better because it fills all the low spots up and creates an airless seal between the CPU and heatsink base. Remember they can never machine the surfaces of the CPU and Heatsink base completely flat that's what the thermal grease is for to fill in the low and uneven spots to make a perfect contact seal with the heatsink.
 

melikepie

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2011
1,612
0
19,810

im not sure ill try it my way and see if thers a diiference between this and the stock fan, stuff got on the pad when it was installed so this should be a difference.
 

melikepie

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2011
1,612
0
19,810

so far with prime95 i get abot 55c i tried my way though.
 

Gamer Dude

Distinguished
Feb 10, 2012
226
0
18,690

There is no best way to apply thermal compound on a CPU there is just better but really many people just put a small blob in the middle and mount the cooler I personally always go just that little bit farther than the rest to achieve an optimal end result.
 

melikepie

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2011
1,612
0
19,810

ok but the CPU was cleaned by someone with vodca for me (smelled a bit during cleaning but worked)
 

gbmike

Distinguished
Feb 9, 2012
47
0
18,540
If you refer to the arctic silver guide it shows per chip how to apply. Not that big of a deal how you choose to apply, but for instance I would not use the pea drop style for my I72600k. A full spread would do, but it is recommended to put a line down the middle of the chip so it goes directly over the cores. Full spread would do this as well but pea drop may not be as effective.