Application of Arctic Silver 5

[Wildcat64]

Ok...ready to install my new HS (ZALMAN CNPS7700-Cu) on my new (AMD 64 3200+ s939) and have a small tube of Arctic Silver 5

The Arctic Web site suggests a 3/4 BB size on a large contact CPU

Zalman say apply a generous amount to CPU


Whats everyone's thoughts??

T/Y

 

[Demonicon]

Just apply enough to cover the surface. Applying too much AS will actually hurt performance.

 

[LTC8K6]

Arctic Silver's instructions should be followed.

Use about a grain of rice worth in the center and let the pressure of the HSF spread it out.

 

[Ike0069]

Do not add too much!!
My sugestion for first timers is to add what you think is the proper amount and install the HSF. Then remove the HSF and check the spread. Next clean off the paste and reapply, adjusting the amount as necessary.
This ensures you have just the right amount. You do not want it oozing out when the CPU heats up and dripping down onto other components or getting into the MB's CPU socket.

 

[Wildcat64]

Thanks. Then last 2 responses was detailed and informative. A+

 

[Kremerica]

yeah,
a small amount is good,
when you put it on, it looks like the amount is not enough, but when you put the heatsink on and take it off again it spreads out a whole lot.

do like Ike suggested and you will see what a good amount is.

a little goes a long way.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Kremerica
yeah,
a small amount is good,
when you put it on, it looks like the amount is not enough, but when you put the heatsink on and take it off again it spreads out a whole lot.

do like Ike suggested and you will see what a good amount is.

a little goes a long way.

Seinfeld fan?

 

[edmundoab]

a thin layer for optimum performance

 

[slash196]

Yeah, the less the better, but at the same time you want to cover the whole thing. AS5 is actually pretty tricky to work with, it's VERY sticky.

 

[edmundoab]

yeah im still using AS3 actually and happy with it

 

[HeaterCore]

Don't cover the whole top of the IHS. The only part that needs to make solid contact is the part directly over the CPU core, and maybe a bit on the edges. AS5 is much stickier than earlier versions, and according to the manufacturer it bubbles up if you spread it manually, so go with the grain-of-rice approach.

There's a reason they have instructions for these things. 😉

-HC-

:edit for clarity: The edges of the core, not the edges of the heatspreader.