Thermal Paste

[andrewboon]

I have been searching around the internet on how to apply thermal paste and I am just wondering how I should do it. There are so many different methods that I'm just not sure what to do. I guess it depends on the type of thermal paste you're using and how many cores your processor has? I am using an Intel Core i5 2500k with a Hyper 212+ with the thermal paste that came with the Hyper 212+. I just have no idea how I should apply the thermal paste and I would appreciate your help. Thank you so much.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Read up

I personally put a dot in the middle and draw a square between that and the edge of the chip. Pretty even coverage whenever I take it off.

 

[andrewboon]

Read up

I personally put a dot in the middle and draw a square between that and the edge of the chip. Pretty even coverage whenever I take it off.

Yea I was actually just looking at that lol. Which method did you use?

 

[greenhawk]

I just do the dot in the middle and put the cooler on evenly. The idea is to not have air gaps so to me, any way of applying that could cause air gaps is not worth doing.

 

[KingFatty]

Read up

I personally put a dot in the middle and draw a square between that and the edge of the chip. Pretty even coverage whenever I take it off.

How are you able to avoid an air bubble/gap?

I picture in my mind what would happen when you compress the dot in the middle and the square surrounding it - won't they trap a layer of air between them that would eventually prevent the squishing dot from meeting the squishing line of the square?

 

[Zor Prime]

It's not really that difficult.

Just put a small amount on, less the better. If you don't have enough, you can always squirt a bit more on it.

I take a razor blade and if one is not around, a credit / debit card, spread the stuff around as thin as I can get it while having FULL COVERAGE across the die.

As long as you can't actually see the die, you're good. I spread and spread and spread it around until I can get complete coverage with just a very small amount ... less is better.

My XBOX 360 began overheating recently and I finally discovered it was because the thermal paste had hardened up. I took it apart, cleared the old thermal paste off and applied arctic silver 5.

My XBOX 360 fans don't even kick into their higher operating mode anymore. It's terrific. Even new the fans would kick into high gear every now and then. Now, no more.

 

[Arik5405]

I spread it around using a plastic sandwich bag and try to make as thin as possible with full coverage. Been doing it this way for years.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Do it yourself, it might take several tries to find your best / preferred way. It's pointless to read without practical experience.

The paste 212+ comes with isn't the best but it should be ok for 2500k. Also, pay attention this is a heatpipe design. Spread across the pipes some too ;-)

 

[Rvenger]

Small dot in the middle with 2 thin lines on each side. Never failed for me.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

How are you able to avoid an air bubble/gap?

I picture in my mind what would happen when you compress the dot in the middle and the square surrounding it - won't they trap a layer of air between them that would eventually prevent the squishing dot from meeting the squishing line of the square?

I would guess the compressive forces of applying the thing would help push bubbles out. Maybe not. I kind of go unorthodox and place the thing squarely on top, then run a few circles around the chip with it. So far it's always worked for me, whenever I remove the HSF the paste is always spread evenly in a circle that covers the majority of the IHS. Keeps my load temps in RealTemp under check, so I'm happy.

 

[darth maul]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I used the two line method shown in the link, and I've been satisfied with my temps.