Most Efficient Way of Applying Thermal Grease?

[Bowen]

I have a question on the best way to apply thermal grease. I usually apply it to the whole of the heatsink. I don't put too much on or too little. I use Arctic Silver thermal grease and I use a latex glove to spread it on very lightly. I do this so that if the cpu slides around while I'm clipping the HSF down, it won't simply rub off from the cpu, if only had it on the cpu die itself; also if you were to get another HSF or change motherboards etc. Would it not be harder to take the thermal grease off the cpu die than the HSF? What is the most effective way most of you apply thermal grease? Thanx...

 

[Wuzup101]

First of all I'm not to sure how some chips are designed (with heat spreaders and all that nifty stuff). But for chips like AMD durons, tbirds, XP's, ect... you don't want to put artic sliver all over the HS bottom. Just apply a little bit that evenly covers the die. I usually put a little dot of it on the die and spread it with a credit card. This is my perfered method but I suppose the glove would work also...you would just end up wasting compound. I wouldn't put it all over the bottom of the sink because of the risk of it comming in contact with the bridges on the cpu (even though it's claimed to be non conductive). You are just wasting compound if you cover the whole bottom of the HSF (again i'm not sure if this is what you are doing). Anyway, just a little bit on the die will do fine. And a credit card or razor blade will spread it nicely.

 

[ST4RCUTTER]

How about not applying it to the HS at all...

I usually use a razor blade and carefully apply a thin layer to the die itself. Then mount the HSF.

 

[joe4324]

I use type 44 compound, (a gift from the heavens) its ester based so it cleans up with a towel and does NOT run off the die after long periods of time (I still had trouble with this even with ASII) I've got a 1oz tub ($14 online) all I do is make sure my finger is clean put the tiniest dab on the tip of my index finger and then rub it evenly over the die. I dont put it anywere else. it takes me 10 seconds to do with no messy clean up. and from the dozens of systems I've built with it over the last 6-8 months I would say it performs AS good or better then ASII, were talking very minute differences here though.

Give it a shot, I've found its easier to apply then ASII about 10X cheaper and it cleans up with a dry paper towel.

For ASII i used to squirt the smallest dab onto the die itself then smash it evenly flat with a credit card. ideally you want as little as possible to make proper contact. afterall the thermal compound doesnt transfer heat as good as the heat sink. so you want the smallest distance possible between the HS and the die.

 

[emjem]

Go to the source. They have photos and all:

ArcticSilver

 

[Bowen]

Thanks guys....I will just apply it to the center of the heatsink instead of the whole of if. I thought there would be a better way than the way I was applying it.