How to apply artic silver 5 paste?

[F1FAN]

Hi, don't know if this is the right section but I ordered some of this and should be here this week some time.
I’ve heard different methods online like YouTube and other forums
Is it best to spread it out with something like a credit card, put a little blob in the centre or a line across?
I have an AMD phenom triple core.
Thanks

 

[CommonTater]

Hi, don't know if this is the right section but I ordered some of this and should be here this week some time.
I’ve heard different methods online like YouTube and other forums
Is it best to spread it out with something like a credit card, put a little blob in the centre or a line across?
I have an AMD phenom triple core.
Thanks

I'm probably going to get blasted for this, but...

The extremely thin layer you see so much noise about really doesn't give you lasting perfomance from a paste. With Champhor based "phase change" materials it's the way to go but with pastes that tend to creep out of the thermal junctions I just put a big blob in the middle of the chip, smear it around with my finger tip and then tap it out into a smooth, gooey layer, and put on the heatsink. The excess will find it's way out the sides, with no harm done.

I have power transistors and a couple of CPUs that have held their temperatures for years with this method whereas with the ever so careful technique I seemed to be redoing them once or twice a year because the thermal junction would actually dry out.

Also don't forget that pastes go through stages... the temperature will be very low when you first apply them. Then as they dry a little the temperature will creep up for a couple of weeks. Once it all settles in, your temperatures will stabalize somewhere between the coolest and hottest... and they'll stay that way for a long time.

 

[dj99]

^ x2

 

[pparks1]

I just put a pea sized small blob in the middle of the CPU and let the heat sink application spread it around. Has always worked well for me.

 

[stormy13]

Or you could go straight to the source,

Arctic Silver Incorporated - Route to Product Instructions for Arctic Silver 5

Just pick out your CPU and follow the instructions.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Maximum PC just discussed this. They recommend the small pea sized blob in the center as well. They've done significant testing and found no better option, and on top of that, it is the easiest method as well. I've been doing it this way for about a decade now without issue.

 

[whs]

Maximum PC just discussed this. They recommend the small pea sized blob in the center as well. They've done significant testing and found no better option, and on top of that, it is the easiest method as well. I've been doing it this way for about a decade now without issue.

Do you mean pea size in the middle with or without spreading?

 

[Dragonfly]

I always used the "grain of rice" size. After all, peas come in a variety of sizes.

 

[stormy13]

Without spreading,



The pressure from the heatsink does the spreading.

 

[CommonTater]

Without spreading,

View attachment 62445

The pressure from the heatsink does the spreading.

I do spread it out and I'd use a lot more than your picture shows...

The reason I spread it is that you can't count on exactly even pressure from the heat sink, until it's settled and you might get hot spots on the chip.

But yea... it's all good.

 

[F1FAN]

ok thanks people, hopefully my temps will drop.

 

[CommonTater]

ok thanks people, hopefully my temps will drop.

Ummmm... how hot was it?

 

[whs]

Without spreading,

View attachment 62445

The pressure from the heatsink does the spreading.

I do spread it out and I'd use a lot more than your picture shows...

The reason I spread it is that you can't count on exactly even pressure from the heat sink, until it's settled and you might get hot spots on the chip.

But yea... it's all good.

I do the same because after all, peas come in different sizes and I would be afraid of the excess splattering all over.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Do you mean pea size in the middle with or without spreading?

Always always without spreading. If you let the HSF do the spreading, you are guaranteed to get good contact between both surfaces. If you spread it thin, you have no way of knowing.

I think some people are overthinking this process. Put a small bead in the center of the processor, install the HSF, and go on with building the system.

 

[michaelst]

If you do decide to spread it out a little... Put your finger inside a plastic baggie. Thermal paste is a bitch to get off your hands.

 

[CommonTater]

I think some people are overthinking this process. Put a small bead in the center of the processor, install the HSF, and go on with building the system.

LOL... It's not like I spend an hour at it...

Apply blob to center, spread quickly with finger, just to make sure there's greas over the entire top surface... install heatsink...

Probably took you as long to read this as I spend on it.

 

[F1FAN]

well i have removed the heat sinc a few times to clean and that had ruined the paste that came with the computer so it gets to 40c now when on internet and things and 37 when idle when it used to be on 34c and about 36 when doing things. anything above 39 the fans start to get loud.
Im selling the pc soon and dont want to sell a noisy pc.

 

[stormy13]

If you do decide to spread it out a little... Put your finger inside a plastic baggie. Thermal paste is a bitch to get off your hands.

That and the oil from your skin can help with the paste breaking down.

well i have removed the heat sinc a few times to clean and that had ruined the paste that came with the computer so it gets to 40c now when on internet and things and 37 when idle when it used to be on 34c and about 36 when doing things. anything above 39 the fans start to get loud.
Im selling the pc soon and dont want to sell a noisy pc.

Hope you didn't re-install the heatsink without re-applying fresh paste.

 

[F1FAN]

yeah i did now i know lol, i didnt really get into computer building till about a few months ago.

 

[Tepid]

Yeah,, you always want to clean the two surfaces with Rubbing Alcohol and something soft, not abrasive, to clean them really good, then let it dry or blow on it till it evaporates, to get any oils from fingers, or old paste, etc off. Then put the amount of Arctic Silver 5 you need (small amount will due) and don't touch it. When you place the heat sink on, you give a slight twist in both directions without pressing too hard, let the weight of the sink due the work. Then secure it down.
The heat from the processor and the pressure from the heatsink will spread it out evenly.

Yes, people are over doing it and over thinking it. Plus keep in mind that the paste will cure over time and spread where it needs to to fill in all the gaps. I have been doing it for decades and never had a single problem. There is no need, nor do you want to touch it and/or spread it out, you do not want foreign matter of any kind, including oils from your fingers interfering with the paste's properties.

Also,, you do not want to put too little, nor too much. The pea size people mention is about the size of a green pea. or well roughly that size.

Also read the link provided above from Arctic Silver for correct amounts. You can't go wrong with their suggestions.