13 replies to this topic

[Aznpersuasion89]

I am surprised this hasn't come up yet. So I figure I will start one for other forum members. Maybe pin this too, or assimilate it into a pinned thread. But anywho I've researched many ways and i have chosen the spread method. Since i am using an aftermarket heat sink I will do a double spread method. First I will spread/fill the gaps of my cooler since it has heat tubes and won't be completely flush with solid mount. Next I will spread a thin layer on the cpu, then q-tip around the edge so when the cooler is installed it will spread and hopefully not run over the chip. I'm going to use Gelid extreme thermal compound. It's non conductive so incase it does go over the edge no harm done.

[Vulpesveritas]

Don't use much thermal paste, you only want enough to barely, barely cover the top. a grain of rice size is what you generally want.

Edited by Vulpesveritas, 27 June 2012 - 09:27 PM.

[Sensor Malfunction]

When using thermal interface materials (TIM), you must use the absolute minimum amount possible. TIM is, in itself, an absolutely pathetic conductor of heat. TIM's sole purpose is to fill in the microscopic pits and valleys between the heatsink surface and the CPU surface, because it conducts heat better than the air which would otherwise be there. You fill microscopic holes with microscopic amounts of goo.

Applying TIM for the perfectionist:

1.) For the best possible results, especially if you can see visible grinding marks, lap (polish) the heatsink. This can be with fine sandpaper (automotive stores often sell 1500 or 2000 grit). Stick the sandpaper to a piece of plate glass with a little water. Work the heatsink around gently in erratic patterns until any scratches or grind marks disappear.

2.) Wet a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol and scrub both the heatsink's contact area and the CPU's top. Allow the alcohol to evaporate and then swipe with a lint-free cloth.

3.) Apply the absolute tiniest dab of TIM you can get to the CPU surface. Spread it out with something flat and clean, like a razor blade or the edge of a credit card. Scrape off the excess. Again: use as little as possible. Scrape off whatever you can get without applying much pressure. If you've got something that looks like you iced a cake you've got way too frelling much.

4.) Take a deep breath. Plonk the heatsink down firmly. Give it a little wiggle and a little wobble, and then bolt/clip/crew/latch it into place. If you lift the heatsink off the surface, start over, because you just introduced air bubbles.

5.) Profit. Even crummy white zinc paste can give very good results if you approach this as the delicate task it is.

Edited by momaw, 27 June 2012 - 10:12 PM.

[Otonashi Saya]

Yes less is best with Thermal Paste....Once had a PC *Tech* bring a computer back for repair....The CPU and heat sink were like an Oreo biscuit = Not good.

[Aznpersuasion89]

@monaw, so I take it you place tim on the cpu outside of the motherboard. Id be too scared of bending a pin.

[Vulpesveritas]

Aznpersuasion89, on 27 June 2012 - 09:28 PM, said:

@monaw, so I take it you place tim on the cpu outside of the motherboard. Id be too scared of bending a pin.

no, all application is done with the CPU in it's socket on it's motherboard. not sure where you got that from by what he posted lol.

[Aznpersuasion89]

Sorry, I read heatsink and though CPU. Brain phart

[Sensor Malfunction]

Aznpersuasion89, on 27 June 2012 - 09:28 PM, said:

Id be too scared of bending a pin.

You wouldn't have survived the computing stone age, before Zero Insertion Force sockets, when installing a chip meant bashing the sucker in against the pressure of all the little spring contacts. Bent pins? Pshaw, just put it on the edge of the table and bend them straight again!

[sumdumfu]

momaw, on 27 June 2012 - 10:20 PM, said:

You wouldn't have survived the computing stone age, before Zero Insertion Force sockets, when installing a chip meant bashing the sucker in against the pressure of all the little spring contacts. Bent pins? Pshaw, just put it on the edge of the table and bend them straight again!

haha many was a time i couldn't figure out why my processor wouldn't drop into the ZIF socket, and had to go hunting for bent pins with squinty eyes and a pair needle-noses. not recommended for the faint of heart, let me tell you.

[Scilya]

for thermal compound u want the tiny tiny ammount.
get a thermal cleaner and a thermal purifier give it a once over with the purifier and then the ways of puttig it on are verry diferen i differ from the video above i put 5 teeny tiny blobs in a X then put it on
skip to 2:33 to see how NOT to apply thermal paste

[TyGeR STD]

I use an old business card to spread it on. I only put it on the CPU because most of the time the HS is larger then the CPU. Its a waste to spread it all over the HS that will not be in contact with your CPU. Also as many people here said. you want a very very very thin coating on your CPU. Its just used to fill in the gaps that you cant see. To much is a very bad thing.

An yes the girl in the video above my post does a very bad job of the pasteing. DO NOT do it like she did.

Edited by TyGeR STD, 28 June 2012 - 04:16 AM.

[Rattlehead NZ]

Holy crap batman, She does a star shape? What next "Do a smiley face?"

[Aznpersuasion89]

momaw, on 27 June 2012 - 10:20 PM, said:

You wouldn't have survived the computing stone age, before Zero Insertion Force sockets, when installing a chip meant bashing the sucker in against the pressure of all the little spring contacts. Bent pins? Pshaw, just put it on the edge of the table and bend them straight again!

Haha, talk about roughin it. Man eff that stuff.

[Skrapheap]

sumdumfu, on 27 June 2012 - 10:32 PM, said:

haha many was a time i couldn't figure out why my processor wouldn't drop into the ZIF socket, and had to go hunting for bent pins with squinty eyes and a pair needle-noses. not recommended for the faint of heart, let me tell you.

Next time you have that issue instead of needle nose pliers try the tip of a mechanical pencil instead. That tip applies to AMD CPUs only, as I am not sure if it would work if you bent a pin on an intel mobo (in the latter case from what i understand you just fragged the mobo, can anyone confirm/deny).

Seriously did that chick make a star with the TIM? My wife isn't exactly an alphageek, but she has seen me build enough computers to ask the same thing.