Thermalpaste problem...

[Defacil]

I just bought a new mobo and a processor. I put the processor on the mobo and before placing the heatsink/fan I touched the pre-applied thermalpaste and left fingerprints (which caused uneven-ness and small gaps). There is a white thermalpaste that was included with the motherboard, can I evenly apply that over the preapplied thermal paste and expect it to work?

 

[NarcoticHobo]

#1 Yes you can.

#2 Don't worry either way its not a huge deal, it will probably be fine if you don't add any, but if you do decide to add some just make sure you don't add too much.

 

[Defacil]

you sure? cause like the instructions say "if there are any gaps call amd" blah blah... Im a newb so i read the instructions hehe

 

[NarcoticHobo]

I would suggest adding some to ensure it is completely covered, but just saying its not going to blow up if you don't... unless its like completely clean or something.

Just dab a bit of the paste on your finger and smear it on the chip, make sure NOT to get any on the pcb part and keep it all on the metallic part. Keep in mind when you put the cooler on it will smush a little bit out the sides, so you really need very very little paste.

 

[Rongisnom]

The best way to apply the paste is to put a dab on the back of the HS. Use a credit card to spread it out in an even film covering the area where it will make contact with the CPU head. Then with a clean cotton cloth (old t-shirt) wipe it all off. There will be a very think microscopic layer embedded in the HS.
Now take your CPU and put a dab of paste on the head. Again, use the credit card to spread the paste across the head until you have a very thin even layer covering the head. Thin means REALLY THIN like paper. All the paste is supposed to do is create a bond between the HS and CPU head filling in any minor gaps.

Hope this helps.

 

[PingSpike]

If you're tomshardware, just put roughly one gallon of cheap paste, all over the processor.

 

[Sentinel]

you don't need a huge amount, as opposed to what toms hardware does lol

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
If you're tomshardware, just put roughly one gallon of cheap paste, all over the processor.

thanks, my first LOL of the day

I have a question further to this gentleman's enquiry. How much difference in temp should be expected if a user would switch from thermal grease included with the HSF to, say, brand-name thermal paste? Is it worth switching, or recommended? Thanks

 

[phisrow]

According to everything I've read, the thermal delta between really good paste and basic grease is pretty minimal. This assumes, of course, that they've both been applied correctly. High-end thermal transfer compounds are sometimes easier to apply properly, and are more likely than the cheap stuff to maintain their texture through numerous thermal cycles.
Have a look at the ever excellent Dan's take on the question http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm

 

[GrumpyMan]

FYI
You don't want to use your finger due to the oils on the skin to spread the thermal paste.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: phisrow
According to everything I've read, the thermal delta between really good paste and basic grease is pretty minimal. This assumes, of course, that they've both been applied correctly. High-end thermal transfer compounds are sometimes easier to apply properly, and are more likely than the cheap stuff to maintain their texture through numerous thermal cycles.
Have a look at the ever excellent Dan's take on the question http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm

This is an awesome link and I recommend it to everyone. I especially enjoyed looking at pictures of fried CPU's and other dandy burned components.
And after reading the entire article, which is also quite funny at times, I can say with confidence that my plain white thermal grease will be good enough for now, until I care enough to buy some decent thermal compound. Rock on and thanks again for the link.

 

[Gurck]

Just don't do this

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Originally posted by: Gurck
Just don't do this

:Q

 

[mgsvr]

OMG...

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Gurck
Just don't do this

That is frickin awesome!!! I would love to meet the person that did that, and just try to figure out how they decided to make a thermal grease sandwich using the cpu and cpu slot as bread! awesome.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Gurck
Just don't do this

That is frickin awesome!!! I would love to meet the person that did that, and just try to figure out how they decided to make a thermal grease sandwich using the cpu and cpu slot as bread! awesome.

un fvcking buh leeee vable...

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Gurck
Just don't do this

Wow, that's awesome. :shocked: