 Properly Applying Thermal Gel |
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 Nov 17 2007, 12:59 PM
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Member  Group: Members Posts: 76 Joined: 30-July 07 Member No.: 147,002  |
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Nov 17 2007, 02:12 PM
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 Hail Groovicus! Group: Site Admin Posts: 6,454 Joined: 5-June 04 From: Vermillion, SD Member No.: 689 |
It's hard to describe how much to use, other than it's a lot less than one would think. When you place the heatsink on the processor, it will do the spreading for you (some people do spread it though). If it doesn't, then your fan isn't seated properly. The thermal paste is just meant to fill any irregularities between the CPU and the heatsink. I guess the best description is about the diameter of a medium sized pea. When you place the heatsink down on your cpu, use slow firm pressure to allow the grease to spread, and to not stress the CPU. If you use too little paste, your system will shut itself down, so not a huge issue. If you put too much thermal paste on, and it oozes over the sides, it is possible to create shorts that can do irreparable damage to your system.
After you get your system going, boot into the bios and monitor the temp from there for a few minutes. I'm reasonably sure all boards have the capability to monitor cpu temp by now. -------------------- |
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Nov 17 2007, 02:47 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 76 Joined: 30-July 07 Member No.: 147,002 |
will the entire cpu be covered with the past after applying the heatsink?
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Nov 17 2007, 03:06 PM
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Hail Groovicus! Group: Site Admin Posts: 6,454 Joined: 5-June 04 From: Vermillion, SD Member No.: 689 |
Do you mean from using that amount of paste, or from allowing the heatsink to spread the grease?
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Nov 17 2007, 03:43 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 76 Joined: 30-July 07 Member No.: 147,002 |
I mean from allowinng the heatsing to spread the grease. should any of the cpu be free of coverage?
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Nov 17 2007, 03:45 PM
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 Computer Masochist Group: Moderator Posts: 10,660 Joined: 27-January 07 From: Cleveland, Ohio Member No.: 108,618 |
I spread it out with a small square of cardboard. I also lap my heatsinks. It may be overkill, but the surface is nice and smooth
Mark -------------------- Mark
 why won't my laptop work? Having grandkids is God's way of giving you a 2nd chance because you were too busy working your butt off the 1st time around Avatar by Handplane |
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Nov 17 2007, 04:08 PM
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#7
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Hail Groovicus! Group: Site Admin Posts: 6,454 Joined: 5-June 04 From: Vermillion, SD Member No.: 689 |
No it does not completely cover the cpu.
If it makes you feel better, completely coat everything. There is no right way, or correct amount. If it transfers the heat and does not squirt out on the sides, then it is perfect. Look at this, maybe it will help: http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruc...lecore_wcap.pdf -------------------- |
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Nov 17 2007, 05:28 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 76 Joined: 30-July 07 Member No.: 147,002 |
Thanks groovicus, that link helped a lot. I'll repost on Monday and let everyone how everything went.
Thanks again. |
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Nov 17 2007, 05:42 PM
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 Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,295 Joined: 28-September 06 From: New York Member No.: 87,553 |
How I spread mine, which decreased my temperature by so much is to put a little on. Then spread it over the processor evenly with my finger. This way you can actually feel when you have a good amount on. I kept smoothing it over the processor and a lot came off on my finger, so I just wiped my finger and continued. Eventually the whole processor was covered, and I could feel the metal on the processor, but couldn't see it. I thought this would be the right amount, and now my processor usually idles at a lower temperature then my hard drive! This is just my way, and theres probably many other better ways. this also got my finger kind of messy, but if you wipe the paste off of your finger right after it comes off pretty well.
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Nov 17 2007, 11:19 PM
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#10
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Arachibutyrophobia Group: BC Advisor Posts: 5,201 Joined: 4-March 05 From: Northern Sierra Foothills Member No.: 13,532 |
If you look at the CPU from the top you will see a square metal area, this is the heat spreader and is where you apply the thermal compound. The best description that I've heard for the amount to use is a about the size of a piece of rice. You only want the compound on the heat spreader and the heat sink where they mate.
-------------------- May we please have a little chlorine for the gene pool?
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Nov 18 2007, 09:05 AM
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 Still visually handicapped, new avatar :0) Group: Global Moderator Posts: 15,531 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
I usually suggest using grease equivalent to about 1/2 the size of a grain of rice. The issue here is that too much will cause you a lot of problems.
I generally spread it out as thin as I can with my finger tip (then try and remove it from my finger tip!  This thin layer is adequate to maintain contact (since the surfaces are nearly flat anyway) and doesn't leave a lot to slop out over the sides.
-------------------- - John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. ** BTW - the avatar pic is a camel as it looks back at me while I'm in the saddle (and he wasn't happy!) |
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