Thermal paste

[linnemeyerhere]

I want to know why the paste is so thick, wouldn't a more viscous base material work better? Or would that run a larger risk of running off the side if too much was applied?

 

[tw33k]

Again, why risk scratching the surface with a razor??? Letting the heatsink pressure spread it is risk free and does the job perfectly.

Oh and I'm pretty sure thermal paste has a thick consistency so it fills the gaps properly.

 

[Lordbob75]

Good advice and debate from all

~Lordbob

 

[smarteyeball]

I want to know why the paste is so thick, wouldn't a more viscous base material work better? Or would that run a larger risk of running off the side if too much was applied?

Certain compounds have their own particular viscosity, so there is no true 'one application method' that fits all.

Some are suited to the 'single dab' , others are suited to the 'twin lines' (for quads) and others the 'even' spread.

Regardless of method, one common factor is that they all are intended to achieve the same goal - a 'thin uniform' spread to fill in the minute gaps between the CPU and base of whatever cooler is attached.

 

[A Guy]

The many methods I have seen.

Small dab, 1/2 the size of a grain of rice in the center. Apply cooler, slight twist left and right.

Same amount, spread with a credit card, should be so thin as the lettering shows through.

Same amount, turn a plastic sandwich bag inside out. Put your finger in the corner and spread the paste with your finger evenly.

For direct touch heat pipes. "Butter" the cooler bottom, wiping off all the paste on the flat surface, leaving the spaces near the tubes filled with the paste. VERY thin line on each pipe. Attach cooler.

Same as above, but spreading the paste very thinly along length of each pipe with a credit card.

Often when testing sites review coolers, they use the small amount, and apply cooler method, because they show a picture of the cooler removed so you see how well it covered the top of the CPU.

I personally think the thin (thin is the key word) spreading assures complete coverage, and erring on too little would be better than too much. Cover the bottom of the heatsink, and remove all the paste will also fill many imperfections.

A Guy

 

[mickey megabyte]

i'm not sure how well you can see from the photo, but i've got a couple of plastic 'templates' that you place over the chip, apply a lentil-ish sized dab of paste, then scrape off the excess with a credit-card-style applicator.

works well, and leaves a very thin film as deep as the plastic template.

it came from 'cooler master'.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

MM, That's a nice little gadget !

 

[mickey megabyte]

i'm sure you could make your own very easily.

it just needs to be the right size.

 

[Techymike]

It is not so complicated, just add some paste and spread it out. Even the simple stuff for transistors works.Thermal compound works just as well just not as good.

 

[A Guy]

Well sure, you can use anything, and apply it any old way. But to achieve the lowest possible temps with a given CPU cooler, it needs to be done right. Heat sink compound is a poor substitute for a good thermal paste. It would be better than nothing, but if installed incorrectly, it may not be. A Guy

 

[TVeblen]

Heat sink compound is a poor substitute for a good thermal paste.

I apologize for getting all "word cop", but both of these terminologies really describe the same thing: Thermal grease - as is it's generic and original name.

Thermal grease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Heatsink Guide - All about PC cooling

But as in all things tech, the terminology starts to get mangled as we make smaller and smaller distinctions. The confusion comes in when you get technical and start describing the different types of compounds properties in the paragraph titles, like here:

Thermal Interface Materials « Electronics Cooling

It would be nice to have standardized terminology. But we are humans. Ain't gonna happen!

 

[A Guy]

Heat sink compound as Techymike was referring, "Even the simple stuff for transistors works", is a thin white compound used on transistors and IC's that touch a heat sink. While they have generally the same usage, they are certainly not the same thing. This is what I was referring to. A Guy

 

[linnemeyerhere]

What does it say about us that we can drone on about "thermal paste" like this.............just saying. I love it !

 

[Lordbob75]

What does it say about us that we can drone on about "thermal paste" like this.............just saying. I love it !

I love being a nerd.

~Lordbob

 

[Fumz]

I'm loving this thread.

Since thermal paste is a fetish of mine, I'll toss out a few more options I haven't seen here yet.

Shin-Etsu, which I'm using now, is a lot better than AS5; however, application is more difficult since it's so thick. You really have to muscle it over the cpu with a finger. For my next build, just now started, I've ordered Indigo Xtreme, which rocks the pants off everything.

Good geek stuff: Indigo Xtreme | Skinnee Labs

 

[TVeblen]

If you're not using gallium you're an overclocking wannabe!

As far back as I can remember, on Usenet, BBS, newsgroups - the threads about thermal paste have always been epic.

Processors - meh.
Thermal paste - GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

 

[tw33k]

I'm loving this thread.

Since thermal paste is a fetish of mine, I'll toss out a few more options I haven't seen here yet.

Shin-Etsu, which I'm using now, is a lot better than AS5; however, application is more difficult since it's so thick. You really have to muscle it over the cpu with a finger. For my next build, just now started, I've ordered Indigo Xtreme, which rocks the pants off everything.

Good geek stuff: Indigo Xtreme | Skinnee Labs

I tried an Indego Xtreme when I installed my Silver Arrow but I think I screwed it up when setting up the heatsink. Still got 1 left which I'll get to using soon I think

 

[Lordbob75]

I'm loving this thread.

Since thermal paste is a fetish of mine, I'll toss out a few more options I haven't seen here yet.

Shin-Etsu, which I'm using now, is a lot better than AS5; however, application is more difficult since it's so thick. You really have to muscle it over the cpu with a finger. For my next build, just now started, I've ordered Indigo Xtreme, which rocks the pants off everything.

Good geek stuff: Indigo Xtreme | Skinnee Labs

Nice link, thanks. I like the idea of them providing a way to install it properly without a ton of effort.

~Lordbob

 

[Techymike]

With all the great replies, did I miss where you should clean it first to remove any finger grease?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I have to say the Indigo Extreme looks very promising, costly but as long as you're happy with your cooler and aren't planning CPU or cooler upgrade soon then it's the longterm TIM winner at the current time. I'm not sure I'm totally stoked with letting all my cores run up to max temps but as that's the only way to spread the TIM and the net results are so consistent and low then it's a risk worth taking !