How long to let thermal paste 'settle'?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I'm going to be ordering a new system soon with a P4 2.8C and OCZ Ultra 2 paste. How long should I let this stuff 'settle' enough so I can start using it? Also, when I put it on, do I put the heatsink on it right then to let any extra paste come out or should I just let it sit there?

I ask because I haven't ever built the whole system on my own and its been my dad in the past.

 

[Corporate Thug]

you can use it immediately, full effects will be seen 24-48 hours later

 

[Jeff7181]

There shouldn't be any extra paste oozing out. Only a layer no thicker than a sheet of paper should be used on the core. Any more than that will ooze out and sit next to the core, which Arctic Silver claims can retain heat next to the core, causing it to run warmer than if you had applied the thermal compound as instructed.

 

[boyRacer]

You guys really believe in this? Most people's temps stay the same from day one... i guess only the anal retentive ones can keep trying.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
You guys really believe in this? Most people's temps stay the same from day one... i guess only the anal retentive ones can keep trying.

my temps go down a few C after 24 or so hours

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
You guys really believe in this? Most people's temps stay the same from day one... i guess only the anal retentive ones can keep trying.

So do mine... but applying it properly the first time is what's important. In my experience there is no "break in period" for AS3... and I've applied it to about 5 or 6 different CPU's in the past 6 months.

 

[Jojo1971]

You guys really believe in this? Most people's temps stay the same from day one... i guess only the anal retentive ones can keep trying.

mine went down 2 degrees after 2 days.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Jojo1971

You guys really believe in this? Most people's temps stay the same from day one... i guess only the anal retentive ones can keep trying.

mine went down 2 degrees after 2 days.

True, but did your room temps stay the same?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Jojo1971

You guys really believe in this? Most people's temps stay the same from day one... i guess only the anal retentive ones can keep trying.

mine went down 2 degrees after 2 days.

True, but did your room temps stay the same?

when my temps dropped, the room tempurature was the same