CPU

colmtowey

Hi

I hope this does not come across as a stupid question. After appling Thermal Compound to a CPU should I get the computer up and running as soon as possible or is it alright to leave the thermal compound sitting for a day or two before starting the computer up for the first time. How much Thermal compound would be recommended on the CPU

Regards

Colm Towey

pogcica

A small pea sized amount of thermal compound spread evenly will be plenty.
You should mount the cpu straight away but it won't do any harm not firing up the PC immediately

Rgds

5uspect

Typically they recommend about as much as a grain of rice in volume. Some TIMs have a burn in period before they become effective but you should be alright to leave it for a few days before booting.

Be sure to check your temperatures after you're up and running.

colmtowey

Hi

Thanks for the reply. I was just a bit paranoid about it as I don't want to damage the CPU.

Regards

Colm Towey

colmtowey

hi

Sorry for another question that i forgot to post earlier. Does thermal compound come in different colours or should it just be a grey colour. The paste i am using is white in colour. another question would be does thermal compound have a used by date as i can't seem to see any on the tube i have. I is the first time this paste has been used as i has to break a seal to open it

Sorry again for the silly questions

Regards

Colm Towey

5uspect

The white stuff is pretty common is electronics. High end stuff has silver or even diamond in it and looks grey. Unless you plan on overclocking I wouldn't worry too much.

Over time the applied paste can cure but this is a couple of years. Should last indefinable in the tube.

ANSI

5uspect wrote: »

Typically they recommend about as much as a grain of rice in volume. Some TIMs have a burn in period before they become effective but you should be alright to leave it for a few days before booting.

Be sure to check your temperatures after you're up and running.

Here is a good prog to check temps http://majorgeeks.com/Open_Hardware_Monitor_d6396.html

unkel

colmtowey wrote: »

How much Thermal compound would be recommended on the CPU

As 5uspect said, you really only need a tiny amount. It is important to get the core fully covered though, but the thinner the layer of paste, the better

It is a bit of skill to be able to get it right though. Have you any old / dead cpu lying around to practice on?