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FAQ
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| How do I apply thermal paste properly? |
| ANSWER |
The key to applying thermal paste is simple - you want the surfaces to be clean, and you want only the MINIMAL required paste to get the job done.
The most common mistake for beginners is to apply too much paste. You'll no doubt see this type of problem with stock heatsinks that were installed at factories; whether its for CPUs, Northbridges, or Videocards, the stock sinks tend to have huge gobs of regular white (non-silver) paste.
Step 1: Clean everything
You have to clean both the heatsink and the CPU die thoroughly. This is especially true if some previous paste or goop or tape or anything else is on the heatsink or CPU die. Note that we are saying the die - do NOT clean the whole CPU!!
Step 2: Apply a small amount of paste to CPU die
No matter what paste you are using, try putting just a small amount on the CPU die. For smaller Athlon XP and Intel CPUs you really only need something like the equivalent to half a grain of rice. For people with heatspreaders, you would need to use more. But start off with as little as you think would give a super thin layer. It's always better to have too little to start (because you can add some more after Step 3 and repeat).
Step 3: Spread the paste out
Using something with a clean edge, spread the paste out across the whole of the die. Most people use something like a credit card, stiff business card, or razor. Make sure not to scratch the surface if you use something sharp!!!
How thin should you spread? 1mm thick is a good rule of thumb, but you won't be able to measure it so you're going to have to just eyeball. I like to make sure that the paste is so thin that it looks like it barely coats the surface. We have a FAQ on why should thermal paste the layer be so thin if you're curious.
Step 4: Install Heatsink carefully
Make sure when you install the heatsink that you don't accidentally rub the heatsink around, or angle it such a way that might smear the paste away from the cooler base contact area.
Additional Options
Some people suggest that after you clean the heatsink you apply a very, very small amount of paste to where you estimate the die will be, and then wipe it down until only a slight haze remains. I personally do this on all my permanent installs for peace of mind but there is likely no real benefit.
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| entry created by: Apr 25, 04 |
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Add a Comment to this FAQ entry
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| USER COMMENTS |
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takezo
2008-06-14
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| the purpose of applying a small amount of paste on cleaned heatsink and then rub it off lmost entirely with cloth or plastic scraper is,according to some resources,that "the paste pre-fills the microscopic holes,the uneven-surface of heatsink(hovever smooth it seam) for better heat exchange."there are some interesting topics on forums about how much paste to use(1mm all over the surface is def.too much!}and also if spreading is better than a rice-corn in the middle.i think this depends on viscosity of different products,some re real liquid and some so thick its almost impossible to spread it properly.. |
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takezo
2008-06-14
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| the purpose of applying a small amount of paste on cleaned heatsink and then rub it off almost entirely with cloth or plastic scraper is,according to some resources,that "the paste pre-fills the microscopic holes,the uneven-surface of heatsink(hovever smooth it seams) for better heat exchange".there are some interesting topics on forums about how much paste to use(1mm all over the surface is def.too much!}and also if spreading is better than a rice-corn in the middle.i think this depends on viscosity of different products,some are real liquid and some so thick its almost impossible to spread it properly.. |
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2008-05-26
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| lint free stuff.Not cotton... |
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[SCW]Tizzle4shizzle
2008-01-27
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| to clean i would say isopropyl alcohol and cotton balls or q-tip but make sure you have a wrist band connected to the pc or a static mat before you mess with your parts,wouldnt want you to shock a part from advice from me and be careful a replacement chip may be more then you want to pay for |
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Bentley
2006-10-24
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| So whats the best way to clean the cooler and the chip? |
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iain
2006-05-03
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| can i just point out that on intel p4's and probbably a load of other intel chips too, the die is covered by a metal plate? just thought id mention incase some newbies were looking and going "huh? my chip hasent got a die thingy AAAAHHHHHHHH" - no offense, i just did my first about an hour ago...so y'know |
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Wallanga
2006-04-05
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| what if you spread the paste on too thick, and it gets on the rest of the chip? How do you remove that? |
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melli
2006-03-22
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I would follow the thermal paste makers instructions - borrowed from arctic-cool.com;
Step 1:
Apply the thermal paste to the middle of a clean CPU surface. About 8% of the injection will be used. Do not spread the paste.
Step 2:
Install the cooler following the installation instruction.
After the installation is completed, rotate the whole cooler a bit as shown by the arrows. This is to make sure that the paste is spread evenly and no air is trapped in between.
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downloads/installation/install_mx1_retail.pdf |
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melli
2006-03-22
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I would follow the thermal paste makers instructions - borrowed from arctic-cool.com;
Step 1:
Apply the thermal paste to the middle of a clean CPU surface. About 8% of the injection will be used. Do not spread the paste.
Step 2:
Install the cooler following the installation instruction.
After the installation is completed, rotate the whole cooler a bit as shown by the arrows. This is to make sure that the paste is spread evenly and no air is trapped in between.
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downloads/installation/install_mx1_retail.pdf |
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galoku
2006-03-08
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Yes, he means the die.
For those of you who don't know the parts of the CPU this is what a die looks like
http://www.at-mix.de/images/glossar/cpu-die.jpg
If you can't find that and follow the indtructions then i suggest you find someone who does or you'll end up with a nice looking, half burnt ornament that cant even toast bread. |
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tardis101
2006-03-07
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| I believe he said on the die only, not the whole 1x1 inch cpu chip. |
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hmmm
2006-01-29
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If I apply a amount of half a rice grain, how am I supposed to spread it 1mm thick all around the 1 inch x 1 inch cpu?
so which i'm going to do? appy 1mm, or the rice grain? :P
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Tacticus
2005-11-17
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i personnally find that the thinner the application of thermal paste is the better
the best heat transfer is going to be a die to heatsink contact but both objects no matter how smooth you make them will not be Flat and a perfect contact isnt going to happen the past is there to go in the little groves\gaps between the 2 not everywhere |
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