Thermal paste being squeezed out?

[Quiller101]

I have this weird thing.

When I apply new thermal paste (Noctua NT-H1) to my cpu and start up my computer the temps are around 60C under load ie while stress testing with aida64 under manual voltage setting.

I have a 4770K clocked at 4.3Ghz with 1.221 volt and I have a Corsair H110 Cooler attached to it.

When I play BF4 (adaptive voltage) with the new thermal paste applied the temps are 60C as well, due to the heat from my 780's. I consider that to be very good temps with this somewhat below average cpu.

However, a day after the thermal paste is applied I notice that the temps under load are slowly rising. After 3 days while playing BF4 I notice that the temps are hitting close to 70C.

I've replaced the thermal paste a couple of times already because I suspect that over tightening the screws of the H110's pump, causes the thermal paste to be squeezed out. I've been trying to loosen the screws, but that helped not that much.

So now I'm going to try Arctic Cooling MX4, hoping that this paste is less runny.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? If so how did you solve it.

 

[Ichinisan]

As I understand it, you're using too much paste if it squeezes out. It's only meant to fill the microscopic pits and imperfections in the 2 mating surfaces. Ideally, you'd have 2 perfectly-mated mirror finishes making contact with each other for maximum heat transfer.

If I remember correctly, Arctic Silver 5 instructions used to tell you to rub it on and wipe it off with some types of CPUs.

 

[Quiller101]

I'm not using too much paste. I use the 'pea' method when applying the paste.

 

[richaron]

You're using too much paste.

Most people use the "grain of rice" method.

 

[Yuriman]

As I understand it, you're using too much paste if it squeezes out. It's only meant to fill the microscopic pits and imperfections in the 2 mating surfaces. Ideally, you'd have 2 perfectly-mated mirror finishes making contact with each other for maximum heat transfer.

If I remember correctly, Arctic Silver 5 instructions used to tell you to rub it on and wipe it off with some types of CPUs.

This.

You're using too much paste.

Most people use the "grain of rice" method.

And this.

You need just enough paste that it will spread between the IHS and the heat sink and fill in the microscopic gaps caused by machining imperfections and the like. A thick layer of paste will hurt temperatures because the conductivity of even the best pastes is a tiny fraction of metal on metal.

 

[ratjacket]

I use my own method i apply a small amount to the middle less thean a grain of rice then i apply very small dabs evenly around the heat spreader

on the heat sink side i apply the paste then wipe it of with a clean lint free cloth

i give the heat sink a gentle twist once its on but not fastened a few degrees each way then latch her on

usually when i remove the heat sink its an ultra thin layer evenly spread so i must be doing something correct

Along time ago back on skt 939 (AS5) when i removed a heatsink (xp120)it pulled the cpu out of the latched socket, it bent about 4 pins with no permanent damage, now i apply the gentle twisting before removing the heatsink as well just in case as that scared the crap out of me D:

I remeber with AS5 after a few days temps would get even better, i use to burn it in with a stress test turn it off let it return to room temp and reapeat about 3-4 times over 3days this use to lower temps by another 3-5 C

 

[Rakehellion]

I've replaced the thermal paste a couple of times already because I suspect that over tightening the screws of the H110's pump, causes the thermal paste to be squeezed out.

You're using too much paste.

I've been trying to loosen the screws

Don't. They're supposed to be tight.