Artic Silver 5 on CPU

[Kaalm]

Heard differing opinions about whether to spread a thin coat of compound over CPU or just place a small dab in center before attaching heatsink. Which is best? Thanks for replies.

 

[Ironmanstl]

I put a dab in the middle of the cpu only and some smaller dabs around it, then seat the heatsink on it and turn it a few times left then right to spread it out a bit. When I pull my sink off l8r, I want to see compound over the entire chip, but no seeping out, as thin a layer as possible.

Once you do it a few times you'll know if you are putting too much or not enuf.


Iron

 

[BW86]

spread for small cores, dont spread on heatspreaders

 

[gururu]

the new stuff is a nightmare to spread. dunno if I'm doing it ok or not. I wrap some plastic wrap around my finger and spread it out so that the grain is all in one direction. takes a few minutes. it takes a good deal of force to spread evenly.

maybee I should of dabbed some like the other suggested. i'm about 4C above ambient by mobo readings (which Lithan says are inaccurate BTW), so I think I'm good.

 

[Cawchy87]

I put some in the middle, spread it.

Then i put on the heatsink, remove it and wipe off the heatsink and do that a few times till there isn't much left on there and it is perfect.

 

[rforum]

Depends on the CPU. See the following instructions from Arctic Silver web site for instructions on Arctic Silver 5:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/ar...ilver_instructions.htm

 

[AristoV300]

Originally posted by: rforum
Depends on the CPU. See the following instructions from Arctic Silver web site for instructions on Arctic Silver 5:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/ar...ilver_instructions.htm

Idiot proof instructions. I love the removal instructions for you, right up there with the instructions on how to use shampoo on the bottle... Just make sure you put very little on or will have that crap all over your board when you lock down your HS.

 

[Cid]

Try cutting an old credit card-preferably an expired or canceld one, the short way. a piece about 1 1/2 inches wide 2 inches long. this much smaller strip will allow you to control your spreading much better than a regular credit card. after you dab a little arctic silver in the middle, use the rounded edge of the credit card strip to spread around the thermal compound to each corner of the cpu core. remember always start out from the middle then to the corners. spread the rest around until you have covered the entire core. finally run the credit card strip up and down; side to side (if needed) the entire length of the core, removing any excess compound until you have the consistency that you desire.

ps when you are performing the last step, try to keep an equal amount of pressure on both sides of the 1.5in x 2in credit card strip for an even result.

former dabber-cid

 

[Fern]

Like Cid, I prefer to spread mine. But I have found that a piece of plastic a little more flexible than a CC works best for me. I use the clear plastic that they use for packaging cpu's and ram. I prolly cut my plastic into a piece a little smaller than his too.

EDIT: I just don't feel comfortable with the "dab" methodology. I want to ensure that the entire surface is evenly covered to ensure maximum heat transfer. I fear that using a dab may result in some portion of the surface being left bare (NO AS5). Kind of like the factory job on the NB on a NF7-S.

 

[fibes]

Originally posted by: Fern
Like Cid, I prefer to spread mine. But I have found that a piece of plastic a little more flexible than a CC works best for me. I use the clear plastic that they use for packaging cpu's and ram. I prolly cut my plastic into a piece a little smaller than his too.

EDIT: I just don't feel comfortable with the "dab" methodology. I want to ensure that the entire surface is evenly covered to ensure maximum heat transfer. I fear that using a dab may result in some portion of the surface being left bare (NO AS5). Kind of like the factory job on the NB on a NF7-S.

When you are saying that "you want to ensure that the entire surface is evenly covered to ensure maximum heat transfer." Does that also include 64-bit processors? The die on the 64-bit processor is a lot larger than the typical 32-bit processor. Can you cover the entire 64-bit processor, end to end, with thermal paste?

 

[Ryland]

And how even is "even enough"? I just had a hell of a time trying to evenly spread Artic Cermica on the top an an Athlon 64 3400+ and it isn't perfectly even (not really even close to perfectly even). Wont the pressure from the Zalman cooler and the heat make it spread out evenly?

The directions on the Zalman state to spread it out evenly over the top of the processor. The artic cermica directions said put a grain sized amount in the center, clamp the cooler down and then twist the cooler right and left....

 

[RobsTV]

It is not rocket science.
Close works. Perfection is not needed.

Here, I place small dab in center of CPU core.
Then I take the Arctic Silver container, and use it to spread out the dab towards the corners.
Next I use the tip of the Arctic Silver container, (with nothing coming out), and punch or dab
all over the core, so that the entire core is covered with whatever is left hanging from the tip.

 

[Ryland]

Originally posted by: RobsTV
It is not rocket science.
Close works. Perfection is not needed.

Here, I place small dab in center of CPU core.
Then I take the Arctic Silver container, and use it to spread out the dab towards the corners.
Next I use the tip of the Arctic Silver container, (with nothing coming out), and punch or dab
all over the core, so that the entire core is covered with whatever is left hanging from the tip.

That makes me feel better, thanks! I finish building the machine today.