Thermal Paste Vs Tape

I am helping a friend build her first computer (I am not building it for her, just giving her guidance and making sure she doesn't make mistakes). She is really uneasy about using a thermal paste and we came across some thermal tape while shopping for a thermal adhesive.

She is now rather insistent on using a thermal tape instead, and since I have always used thermal paste I have no knowledge of how effective thermal tapes are.

I was also hoping to teach her how to overclock so a good thermal adhesive is important. If anyone has used a thermal tape before I would like some feedback on how well it works in comparison to thermal paste.

Thermal Pads will never be as efficient in transfering heat as Thermal Paste.

While they're pretty much as easy as sticking a sticker on your car, I don't suggest using it. Why would she be so uneasy about using paste anyways?

Depending how you would define easier.

Thermal pads is pretty much peel and paste. Some people are afraid of paste because they may run into over usage. But its pretty much common sense to how much you apply really.

I think thermal paste is very easy to apply..

For single core processors just a dab in the middle..

For dual core and quads a thin line across the cores..

I think thermal paste is very easy to apply..

For single core processors just a dab in the middle..

For dual core and quads a thin line across the cores..

(Vertical line for dual cores..Horizontal line for quads)

Arctic Silver FTW.teddyrob

Arctic Silver FTW.teddyrob

[QUOTE="teddyrob"]Arctic Silver FTW.SearchMaster

I bought this for my build. was it a good choice?

I think thermal paste is very easy to apply..

For single core processors just a dab in the middle..

For dual core and quads a thin line across the cores..

(Vertical line for dual cores..Horizontal line for quads)

DarkSidexxx

i usually do a square in the middle so i know it get spread evenly

[QUOTE="DarkSidexxx"]

i usually do a square in the middle so i know it get spread evenly

mattyomo99

Mattyomo99,

If you think that you're helping it by doing your "square in the middle" - you need to read the instructions per the manufacturer's guidelines. The weight of the heatsink will help to distribute the paste evenly as long as you apply it according to the instructions on the manufacturer's website.

Artic Silver makes it very clear on their website that for dual-core CPUs, you need to apply it exactly as shown in the picture posted by Darksidexxx. And for quad-core CPUs, a straight vertical line.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_route_step2intelas5.html