Applying Arctic Cooling MX-2 Paste

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heatlesssun

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Nov 5, 2005
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So I am getting a Xigmatek RS1283 and I'm going to use Arctic Cooling MX-2 paste because is has no cure time and gets good reviews. My question is one of the old standbys, how would you apply the paste? This is how Arctic Cooling says to do it: http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downloads/installation/install_mx2_retail.pdf. The standard pea-sized drop in the middle.

There seems to be a LOT of debate as to whether or not this is the optimal way to apply thermal paste. I just wonder why there is so much debate over this and why the manufacturer's directions would not be optimal.
 
Its best to put a line along the longest face, down the centre.
I read a few tests and this was one of the best methods, especially for non smooth heatsink bases and slight curves in the surfaces of the heatsink and Chips cap.
 
I put a small dot slightly small than a rice grain on the center of my q6600@3.0ghz, and it keeps the idle temps at 27,26,32,26 and low 40s on load.
 
I just used this combination today when I remounted my cooler. first I filled in the gaps between the pipes and the block with mx2. then I put a small line on the two block sections between the pipes and mounted it. seems to be working well enough, my temps went down a few degrees compared to some random shin etsu paste I was using. I had applied the shin etsu with a super thin layer over the whole cpu.
 
Rice sized dot for DC and horizontal for QC. Just make sure matting surfaces are flat and your getting good contact.
 
troisanh said:
Rice sized dot for DC and horizontal for QC. Just make sure matting surfaces are flat and your getting good contact.
Click to expand...

rice size dot does not always work very well on hdt coolers since the gaps between the pipes and block affect the spread.
 
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