Best way of applying thermal paste between a CPU and HSF?

[JEDI]

When i bought my HSF, it came coated with thermal paste already.

I upgraded to a faster CPU (from duron to Sempron Socket A). i wiped off the thermal paste from the hsf.

i was going to apply new thermal paste onto the hsf, but what if i put it in the wrong spot and missed the connecting point of the cpu?

do i apply thermal paste directly to the cpu?

what's the best way?

Thx

 

[SparkyJJO]

I put a tiny amount of goop in the center of the core of the CPU, then use the pressure from the heatsink to spread it out. So far no problems doing it that way
Chips with an IHS need a little more.

 

[pdo]

get some saran wrap, and wrap it around your index finger. Start spreading evenly and then use a credit card to wipe it down to a thin layer.

 

[ebeattie]

Recommend you get some Articlean 1&2 and PROPERLY clean off both the new HSF and CPU. The general rule of thumb of thermal compound application is like sparky mentioned. Small "bead" in the center of the new CPU and use the HSF install to spread. DO NOT LIFT OFF HSF to look at the pattern cause air pockets WILL be formed if you try to reinstall. By doing it this way, you help eliminate air pockets. Spreading and thinning can work, but HSF pressure does a much better job.

 

[Markbnj]

Originally posted by: .paldo
get some saran wrap, and wrap it around your index finger. Start spreading evenly and then use a credit card to wipe it down to a thin layer.

Bad idea, I think. No way you can get it flat enough to elliminate air pockets. Do it the way the other two posters said, which is also the method Arctic Silver recommends: put a bead the size of a grain of rice in the very center of the IHS and crank the HSF plate down on top of it.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Be easy. IIRC, using the credit card edge (or similar) actually was a part of the instructions on the original AS years ago. I know I got a tube around here somewhere ...

 

[tcsenter]

I just put a BB-sized (for older Athlon XP CPU with little heat spreaders) or pea-sized (for the newer CPUs with larger heat spreaders) dollop on the die then spread it flat and smooth with a razor blade, wiping any excess or waste using a couple Q-tips.

There's no convincing reason it should be applied to the heatsink instead and it tends to waste more because the heatsink's application area is a lot larger than the CPU's. Just have to keep rocking and sliding to an absolute minimum when attaching the heatsink, if it uses clips (screws are nice). After doing a few hundred of these, you get good at it no matter the utensile used.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: JEDI
i was going to apply new thermal paste onto the hsf, but what if i put it in the wrong spot and missed the connecting point of the cpu?

what's the best way?

Follow the TIM manufacturers recommendation.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: JEDI
i was going to apply new thermal paste onto the hsf, but what if i put it in the wrong spot and missed the connecting point of the cpu?

what's the best way?

Follow the TIM manufacturers recommendation.

Christ, at last. Screw all this credit card razor blade HSF reapply nonsense. Go to the manufacturer's website and read what they have to say. I daresay they have a little more experience with it than we do.

If it's Artic Silver (if it's generic, buy some AS), go to the AS website and read their application instructions for your CPU.

 

[StopSign]

I spread it like peanut butter with my Swiss Army knife.

 

[Roguestar]

I don't even take it out of the tube, I construct an elaborate clamp and cage system involving paperclips then just squash the tube into the CPU with the HSF. Running fine, not a degree over 120°C.

 

[tcsenter]

If it's Artic Silver (if it's generic, buy some AS), go to the AS website and read their application instructions for your CPU.

Have you actually read AS instructions?

I've tried the AS method with lapping the heatsink and using my finger in a plastic bag to 'rub' the compound 'into' the heatsink (as though the metal absorbs it or something) and does nothing for the end-result except waste more compound.

I can put AS on the die in 30 seconds or less and guarantee there will be no meaningful difference in temps. Meaningful may be 'Hey, I spent five minutes, wasted twice as much compound, and my temps are 2 'C lower under full load (after three days).'

OK, wow, meanwhile I'm on my 10th CPU in the same time it took to do one.

 

[andy04]

I put several really very small droplets all over the surface and gently press the heatsink and occitale/grind it for a minute or so b4 putting on the clip...
BTW i used AS and temp went down by around 10 degrees compared to some stupid white stuff i bought earlier...

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
I don't even take it out of the tube, I construct an elaborate clamp and cage system involving paperclips then just squash the tube into the CPU with the HSF. Running fine, not a degree over 120°C.

I think I'll try that next time...

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

If it's Artic Silver (if it's generic, buy some AS), go to the AS website and read their application instructions for your CPU.

Have you actually read AS instructions?

I've tried the AS method with lapping the heatsink and using my finger in a plastic bag to 'rub' the compound 'into' the heatsink (as though the metal absorbs it or something) and does nothing for the end-result except waste more compound.

I can put AS on the die in 30 seconds or less and guarantee there will be no meaningful difference in temps. Meaningful may be 'Hey, I spent five minutes, wasted twice as much compound, and my temps are 2 'C lower under full load (after three days).'

OK, wow, meanwhile I'm on my 10th CPU in the same time it took to do one.

Wow, haven't seen you post in a while.

Anyway, http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

/thread

 

[Oyeve]

Also, if using AS5, I find that you wont get optimal cooling results untill the heat from the CPU has melted the AS5 sufficiently. When building my current main system (AMD 64 X2 3800+) and using an aftermarket Zalman HSF made of copper I noticed my temps were higher than with the stock HSF and crappy thermal tape, but after a day or 2 the heat dropped drastically.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Howard
Anyway, http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

It seems they changed their application instructions since AS III:

"Spread Arctic Silver 5 over the CPU core as shown in the photo to the right. The small amount from the photo above has been carefully spread over the top of the core using a single edge razor blade. A razor blade or the clean edge of a credit card can be used as an application tool."

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: Howard
Anyway, http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

It seems they changed their application instructions since AS III:

"Spread Arctic Silver 5 over the CPU core as shown in the photo to the right. The small amount from the photo above has been carefully spread over the top of the core using a single edge razor blade. A razor blade or the clean edge of a credit card can be used as an application tool."

They've always recommended manually spreading the compound over exposed chips. IHS-covered chips, OTOH, are a different matter.

 

[tcsenter]

They used to recommend 'rubbing' the compound into the heatsink with a finger inside of a plastic bag as well.

 

[craig0ry]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
I don't even take it out of the tube, I construct an elaborate clamp and cage system involving paperclips then just squash the tube into the CPU with the HSF. Running fine, not a degree over 120°C.

best post ever, i almost ruined a keyboard on this one.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
They used to recommend 'rubbing' the compound into the heatsink with a finger inside of a plastic bag as well.

Oils from skin :thumbsdown:

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Blain
Oils from skin :thumbsdown:

"a finger inside of a plastic bag"

 

[Blain]

:thumbsup::laugh:
Cheap plastic bags (thin) :thumbsdown:
Good plastic bags (thick) :thumbsup: