Applying Thermal Compound on Athlon 64

[Wags317]

I am going to be upgrading my t-bred to a athlong 64 and I have was wondering how much thermal compound should you apply?

 

[Oddeiga]

I believe that on the A64, put a little (about the size of a grain of rice and half or something) in the middle of the cpu, and when you put the heatsink on it, it will spread it. Not sure about your other one.

 

[potroast]

i don't recommend the "let the heat sink spread it" advice...

put some in the center, then fold a post-it note in half and use it to smooth it across the die.

 

[_Korruption_]

i don't recommend the "let the heat sink spread it" advice...

put some in the center, then fold a post-it note in half and use it to smooth it across the die.

Why not? Spreading it yourself incorporates air bubbles within the thermal compound. Take it from the guys who produce Arctic Silver. Squeeze out an amount about the size of 3/4 of a BB onto the middle of the heatspreader, and let the heatsink spread the thermal compound.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

 

[potroast]

Why not? Spreading it yourself incorporates air bubbles within the thermal compound. Take it from the guys who produce Arctic Silver. Squeeze out an amount about the size of 3/4 of a BB onto the middle of the heatspreader, and let the heatsink spread the thermal compound.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

never had an issue. And if you read the article front to back, they do hint that although you risk airbubbles if not careful, a carefully-applied spread to the heat spreader is more efficient than their "squish" method...

 

[Viper87227]

I spread it myself, and it seems to be working rather kick ass...

Just put a real small bit ont he heatsink where your making contact, then use like a sock to spread it down to al almost invisible layer... then put some AS int he center of the heatspreader, and find something (I use a old phone card) to get a thin even coat. I got a coat covering the entire heatspreader, maybe your not supppsosed to do it that way, but It seems to be working for me (stock cooling i can run 2.2 up from 1.8 idle at 100F)