Thermal Paste Method

[Guest]

So many people disagree and argue on the superior method of applying thermal paste. All you guys are expert on computers so I would like to see what you guys think.

Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 2.6 ghz

 

[LookItsRain]

A line the size of a grain of rice is what i reccomend.

 

[K6-II]

I'd recommend you the Pea Method, here is an interesting video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

 

[4Ryan6]

So many people disagree and argue on the superior method of applying thermal paste. All you guys are expert on computers so I would like to see what you guys think.

Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 2.6 ghz

I cannot believe this is being asked for the 10,000th time.

The best application method is irrelevant, what is relevant, is the non lazy method of discovering yourself, what works best!

Apply the thermal compound with whatever method you desire, Clamp down the heat sink or water block, Run it and allow it to heat up, then Remove the heat sink or water block and inspect the Thermal Footprint the application method left behind?

Clean and reapply between each test mounting.

You are after the thinnest even coverage you can achieve because you are only filling the microscopic imperfections of the 2 contacting metal surfaces, that, if absolutely nothing was applied those surface imperfections would be filled with air, and air is a thermal insulator, not a thermal conductor.

Thermal compound fills the air voids as it is a thermal conductor of the heat, but you do not want a thick layer of thermal compound, as a thick layer compromises the thermal conduction that could be achieved.

If after the thermal footprint inspection you determine the application method is not adequate, then use another method until you get consistent thermal footprints every time, then you know, what's going on under that heat sink or water block.

The best way is pull and inspect so you know exactly what's going on under that heat sink, do not assume anything, KNOW!

 

[randomizer]

If it squeezes out and goes everywhere, it's the wrong method.

 

[4Ryan6]

If it squeezes out and goes everywhere, it's the wrong method.

ROFL :lol: So True!

 

[LucoTF]

What about the 'chocolate frosting' method? http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sG-K_fuIotY/UHqe82NtAKI/AAAAAAAAAMU/-R-slrMDGNo/s1600/02-paste_applied.jpg

Or the 'artists brush' method? http://www.mycomputingart.com/images/NH-U12F%20applying%20thermal%20grease.jpg

Or the 'tartar control' method? https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/4441937664/h211EE4C8/

 

[Guest]

So many people disagree and argue on the superior method of applying thermal paste. All you guys are expert on computers so I would like to see what you guys think.

Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 2.6 ghz

I cannot believe this is being asked for the 10,000th time.

The best application method is irrelevant, what is relevant, is the non lazy method of discovering yourself, what works best!

Apply the thermal compound with whatever method you desire, Clamp down the heat sink or water block, Run it and allow it to heat up, then Remove the heat sink or water block and inspect the Thermal Footprint the application method left behind?

You are after the thinnest even coverage you can achieve because you are only filling the microscopic imperfections of the 2 contacting metal surfaces, that, if absolutely nothing was applied those surface imperfections would be filled with air, and air is a thermal insulator, not a thermal conductor.

Thermal compound fills the air voids as it is a thermal conductor of the heat, but you do not want a thick layer of thermal compound, as a thick layer compromises the thermal conduction that could be achieved.

If after the thermal footprint inspection you determine the application method is not adequate, then use another method until you get consistent thermal footprints every time, then you know, what's going on under that heat sink or water block.

The best way is pull and inspect so you know exactly what's going on under that heat sink, do not assume anything, KNOW!

But doesnt it cause air bubbles if you remove the heatsink?

 

[Damn_Rookie]

So many people disagree and argue on the superior method of applying thermal paste. All you guys are expert on computers so I would like to see what you guys think.

Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 2.6 ghz

Conveniently, Arctic Silver have CPU dependent instructions on their website for the use of Arctic Silver 5. For a Pentium Dual Core they reccoemnd a horizontal line (full instructions)

 

[randomizer]

But doesnt it cause air bubbles if you remove the heatsink?

Of course. You're not removing it to improve performance, you're removing it to see if it spread properly and to verify that you've found a good application method. Then you'll want to clean it all off and do it again.

 

[4Ryan6]

But doesnt it cause air bubbles if you remove the heatsink?

Of course. You're not removing it to improve performance, you're removing it to see if it spread properly and to verify that you've found a good application method. Then you'll want to clean it all off and do it again.

Affirmative!

I should have added that!