Proper way to apply thermal paste

[Red Squirrel]

Might come in handy for first time builders.

https://gfycat.com/GraciousActiveCoral

 

[MrSquished]

That gif seems to show putting a little bit too much on?

Man I remember my first build and that was one of the more nerve-wracking parts. I keep remembering a 'rice-sized' amount of thermal paste to apply. Now I just wing it and nothing has gone wrong.

This first build was just over 20 years ago and I learned how to build primarily from reading Anandtech articles, along with some other sites like maybe xbitlabs was it? I can't remember the names. But AT was the primary teacher. Been rebuilding my rig every 4 years or so ever since. Along with multiple builds for friends and family.

Good times.

 

[IGemini]

Not enough mayo.

 

[SKORPI0]

so wrong..

Step by step guide.

 

[RichUK]

Ketchup is better.

 

[lxskllr]

so wrong..

No shit. You have to put it on in an asterisk pattern so the compound gets on all the pins. They got the quantity pretty good on the laid strip though. It should come out from the sides of the cpu to draw away heat.

 

[Imp]

What the fuq? Why are the pins so straight?

 

[Crono]

What the fuq? Why are the pins so straight?

Uncanny valley

 

[GagHalfrunt]

What the fuq? Why are the pins so straight?

You hammer the pins AFTER applying the paste. Everyone knows this.

 

[MrSquished]

Haven't seen this one before but it looks legit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7rPqCvCt0g

Usually I just put a rice or pea sized bit in the middle. And some light-handed dots near the corners. I've OCD and overvolted and always had good temps.

 

[Crono]

Some compounds recommend you let the weight of the heatsink spread the paste, but I've always just dotted the CPU and spread using a fresh razor blade (Feather blades, which I have on hand anyway).

OP's method works well if the motherboard is feeling a little peckish, though.

 

[lxskllr]

Some compounds recommend you let the weight of the heatsink spread the paste,

That's what I do. Puts on dots like the 5 side of a die, place the heatsink, twist a little left and right, then clamp it.

 

[brianmanahan]

i stopped wasting money on thermal paste and just use vaseline now

 

[GagHalfrunt]

i stopped wasting money on thermal paste and just use vaseline now

Too easy. Way too easy.

 

[DigDog]

is this AT or 9GAG ?

 

[KeithTalent]

Pea-sized amount, like toothpaste. Don't swallow it, like toothpaste.

KT

 

[Crono]

i stopped wasting money on thermal paste and just use vaseline now

I'll trust your judgment as an overcocking expert.

 

[Brainonska511]

Some compounds recommend you let the weight of the heatsink spread the paste, but I've always just dotted the CPU and spread using a fresh razor blade (Feather blades, which I have on hand anyway).

OP's method works well if the motherboard is feeling a little peckish, though.

My last build I just used a pea sized dot in the center of the CPU and squished it with the hsf assembly.

The previous build had a hsf with exposed heat pipes, so I used the line method on the base of the heatsink.

 

[Imp]

For realz, I've built 2 or 3 systems now... never once had to do my own thermal paste, plan to keep it that way. Go stock Intel cooler!

 

[master_shake_]

For realz, I've built 2 or 3 systems now... never once had to do my own thermal paste, plan to keep it that way. Go stock Intel cooler!

friends don't let friends use stock coolers.

 

[Fritzo]

Everyone is wrong.

 

[master_shake_]

Everyone is wrong.

ah, the spackle method.

 

[BUTCH1]

friends don't let friends use stock coolers.

The stock Intel cooler is fine as long as your not going to OC your chip very much, if your gonna go for a 600Mhz+OC then you defiantly need to look at a more robust option. Sometimes you can get lucky, I found a Foxconn 775 cooler for $6 at a local repair shop, I call it the "aluminum meatloaf" LOL, it's large and the best thing about ANY aftermarket cooler is you avoid those PITA Intel push-pins.

 

[Captante]

Despite advice to the contrary I prefer to spread evenly with a clean piece of plastic.

Never had a problem yet.

 

[Fritzo]

The stock Intel cooler is fine as long as your not going to OC your chip very much, if your gonna go for a 600Mhz+OC then you defiantly need to look at a more robust option. Sometimes you can get lucky, I found a Foxconn 775 cooler for $6 at a local repair shop, I call it the "aluminum meatloaf" LOL, it's large and the best thing about ANY aftermarket cooler is you avoid those PITA Intel push-pins.

I'm getting a 4.7Ghz overclock on my i5 Devil's Canyon with an OEM cooler. The newer coolers are actually pretty decent.