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Thermal Paste application

epacalypse

n00b
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
2
I've been out of the scene for 4-5 years now, and I've decided to build myself another system. My only question is about how thermal paste is applied nowadays. I just got a Q9300 and a Xigmatek S1283 and was just wondering if paste should be applied to each core as well as the heatsink. Any suggestions regarding technique are welcome.

Thanks
 
A small line or rice grain sized blob in the middle, pressed down with the heatsink, is the new preferred method. Check Artic Silver's website for some pictures.
 
Line method horizontally across the top of the CPU.
Then push the heatsink down straight onto it, and tighten.
:)
 
I did get some Arctic Cooling MX-2 as well. After applying the line method, should one also rotate the heatsink about the CPU after contacting the two as per the MX-2 instructions as well?
 
I used OCZ Freeze on my latest build and they say to put a grain of rice sized strip in the middle and not to spread it.
 
All I can say is less is more. (edit) but if you are not sure pull it off after a day to make sure the amount used provided full coverage.

I have tried all the methods and came back to putting a single dot or small + in the middle of the CPU, don't apply to both heatsink and CPU. A little twist or 2 of 5-10 degrees seems to help if done during the first day of application.

But to put it in perspective, a slightly botched application is only going to give you 1-2 degrees C more temp which is not really anything to worry about.
 
Due to the nature of the exposed heatpipes on the 1283 and it's bretheren, the paste application method will more than likely need to be modified..

link

Cliffs notes for the click-a-phobic..
a) fill in the 2 channel gaps in the middle, outer ones don't contact CPU so don't bother.
b) 2 lines of paste on the metal partitions in the middle
.... lead to the best contact patch between 1283/CPU in that review. A dot on each, instead of lines didn't work as well, nor did the single blob in the middle method.

Of course your experience may differ, so I'd try the different methods if your initial try doesn't work quite right.

 
Yeah I'm liking those two lines on the S1283.
Interesting link, I'm saving those pics for the future.
;)
 
I just rebuilt a comp for my daughter.

e6240 and AC Freezer Pro 7.
Cleaned the CPU and the HSF with ArcticCleaner 1 and 2 solutions first.
Used AS5.
The method below works like a dream for a solid base, but I think those Ximatek deals are as linked above, and the 2 stripe method seemed to work very well.

I make a thin line vertically right down the middle and stop about 5mm from the edge.
Then make a small horizontal line smack in the middle.
Put the Freezer on and gently turn it about 10 degrees in either direction.

Secure. Overclock like a bandit.:D
 
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