Thermal Paste, how do you apply yours?

settings · 13-12-2012 4:23pm #1

I had some problems with a "machine check error_" which I thought was a cpu issue so I took it out and re-sat it. It turns out I had faulty ram.
Anyways everything is good now but I was advised to reapply the thermal paste so i bought the arctic silver articlean and Céramique 2 thermal compound.
The first time i applied it i applied it as stated on the Céramique website for the i3 which was a line down the middle, i had a thick line but I realised that I hadn't mounted a corner of the stock cooler on fully when the temps were going to 100c. I removed it and watched a video or two on youtube and decided I would spread a thin layer with a credit card (as the guy said the strip method wouldnt work for him). So i did that and the temperature was around 40c idle and 50-52c with some activity (its only a htpc).
I remember before I interfered with the processor I would have 30 idle and im not too sure how hot it got when it was busy.
Last night i tried the method where you apply a pea sized blob in the middle and it seems to be better than any other methods I have done so far, it seems about 5-10c less than the thin film method but still a little hotter than it was originally.
Just wondering how do you guys apply it since you know alot more about it than me?

here is a video that made me think the pea method is the best
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

ShadowHearth · 13-12-2012 4:28pm

with an AXE! :pac:

a lot of people make one mistake - they apply way too much of it. all you need is a small pea size drop in the middle of CPU. then when you push down the cooler it will spread properly and wont leave any air bubbles.

PogMoThoin · 13-12-2012 4:38pm

2 grains of rice sized.

ED E · 13-12-2012 4:54pm

As above:
Not too much
Pea in the middle
Don't spread it!
Clean the surfaces first.

settings · 13-12-2012 5:28pm

Oh it was that simple all along? ha.
Thanks for the feedback guys, thats all i am gonna do from now on. I will be getting a new shuriken cooler for my htpc soon so I know how to do it right this time

Pangea · 13-12-2012 10:35pm

I never did it, but will be doing so soon once my new motherboard arrives.
Heres a guide from Arctic silver on how to apply paste depending on your processor type.
It goes into a lot of detail. How to clean it and also tinting.
There are some helpful videos on youtube also.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_application_method.html#

Thermal Paste, how do you apply yours?

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