Applying thermal paste - what is the best way?

I see a lot of videos where it looks like people are painting it on, but I've heard that you can just put a small drop in the center and drop the heatsink in and it will spread automatically. Will this work?

I am manly and spread it out like butter on some yummy bread. I also put loads more of psate in the middle again, then since my heatsink and CPU are lapped, the paste just gushes out the side, and since I "modded" my bracket, I can tighten it way more than it's suppsoed to.

I am manly, I deserve an award.

honetly I been doing this for a while, I get to build allot of computers.

I say the best method that works all the time for me is to put a thin sheet of TP on both the CPU and heatsink covering the whole area then mashing it together slightly twisting it to bond it better. temps NEVER became an issue for me after I done this method. even get I5 CPUs to idle below 30c some times.

I've always done the pea size in the middle method, dunno if it's the best way, but it seems to work well.C_Rule

I put a small dot in the center of the CPU and let the heatsink spread it out.Nick3306

the pea size the most effective way assuming the thermal paste you're using are the more spreadable ones unlike IC diamondAzNs3nSaT1On

When I installed my CM212+ I put a couple of pea size amounts on as the contact plate isnt smooth, so I figured I'd put a little more on to fit the gaps in the contact plate. My idle temps about 30c with my 955 and wont go above 51c with intelburn test

I put on a pea sized amount

put a plastic bag over my finger and then rub it into a flat, thin surface which covers the whole surface.

Every guide I have read just recommends putting it in the middle and lettings the heatsink spread it.....BUT you always just get it in the middle. The whole surface gets hot so I suggest my method.

Follow instructions of Artic silver website, I tend to apply a ultra thin layer to the bottom of the heat sink then a 2mm pea sized line in the centre of the CPU.

I used a business card and covered the heatsink with a thin layer of thermal paste.

I used a business card and covered the heatsink with a thin layer of thermal paste.

Dante2710

Please see my response to your previous post, and best of luck!

Boz

Pea-size amount. And I spread it with a business card and then finish it off with my right index finger, making a nice thin layer of paste. If it's oozing to the side, just use a business card and carefully/gently scrape it off the side.

Pea-size amount. And I spread it with a business card and then finish it off with my right index finger, making a nice thin layer of paste. If it's oozing to the side, just use a business card and carefully/gently scrape it off the side.

Elann2008

[QUOTE="Elann2008"]

Pea-size amount. And I spread it with a business card and then finish it off with my right index finger, making a nice thin layer of paste. If it's oozing to the side, just use a business card and carefully/gently scrape it off the side.

adam0926

Yeah I know now. :P After reading the guide.. but I've been lucky 3 different builds, reapplying thermal paste about 6 times at least. No issues so far, but I definitely will not do that again. I promise myself that much. My temps improved from stock cooler with my CM Hyper 212+ from 40 degrees C, down to 26 degrees C (idle temp). I think this is coolest running PC I've had so far. Using a HAF 932 case, which definitely helps. 2 fans on the Hyper 212+. My tuniq tower cannot even beat the temps. :P I'm glad I bought the Hyper 212+. Imagine if I did it "properly?" I might even get lower temps.

Edit: I've been comparing my temps to reviews out there and it seems to be about right. Also, depending on where you live (colder region), it will help with temps. I live in Southern Cali so I'm pretty happy with the temps I'm getting.

It depends on 3 things, the paste, the cpu and the cooler. Because of my cooler It needed to be quite spread out to avoid being caught in the gaps between the pipes. Also my paste was about as thick as cement, so i ended up having to spread it anyway.

[QUOTE="Elann2008"]

Pea-size amount. And I spread it with a business card and then finish it off with my right index finger, making a nice thin layer of paste. If it's oozing to the side, just use a business card and carefully/gently scrape it off the side.

adam0926