Thermal paste.. Any pro tips?

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crimson5pheonix

It took 6 months to read my title.
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Jun 6, 2008
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Formica Archonis said:
crimson5pheonix said:
Formica Archonis said:
Sand paper? That'll make everything worse. You're trying to make up for imperfections in the metal, not add more!
Yeah sorry, for some reason I was thinking of glue...
Oh, woodworking. Yeah, if you're gluing stuff together, you can't have two objects perfectly smooth or the glue will get forced out by the tight fit. Sandpaper works great there.
Oh you can still glue smooth surfaces, it's just not as effective.
 

Formica Archonis

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Nov 13, 2009
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crimson5pheonix said:
Formica Archonis said:
crimson5pheonix said:
Yeah sorry, for some reason I was thinking of glue...
Oh, woodworking. Yeah, if you're gluing stuff together, you can't have two objects perfectly smooth or the glue will get forced out by the tight fit. Sandpaper works great there.
Oh you can still glue smooth surfaces, it's just not as effective.
Very true. Unfortunately, in my experience it'll often decide to become not as effective just as it's under load and you're in a position to get hit by the lack of effectiveness.:/
 

Horticulture

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Feb 27, 2009
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Some people do lap [http://www.overclockersclub.com/guides/lapping/] their CPUs and heatsinks, but it's only worth it for extreme overclockers who're willing to endure (and able to reduce) the possibility of serious damage to their equipment to do so.

Even though the old paste is gone, you should carefully clean the surface with a small amount of high-purity alcohol and a lint-free cloth to remove any small bits of residue. Give it a few minutes to evaporate completely before applying the TIM.

For normal application, a small dot in the center of the CPU will do it. Some people prefer to spread a very thin layer on with a toothpick, latex glove, or finger in a plastic bag to ensure even coverage. The idea is to spread the thinnest possible layer, which will fill in tiny imperfections in the metal surfaces. Mount the heatsink straight down and secure it normally.
 

Rutskarn

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Feb 20, 2010
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dancinginfernal said:
Eat it?

Honestly I haven't a clue. Have you tried a site where people actually know how to do this?
If the responses so far are any indication, he has.
 

Threx

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Nov 9, 2009
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We here at The Escapist aren't much of the arcitectural type so I'm going to have to say this:
WrongSprite said:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+apply+thermal+paste

No offence, but seriously, that words wonders :)
was by far the best answer so no need to chirp him.
 

himemiya1650

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Jan 16, 2010
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Simply remove heat sink, apply paste on processor surface so that its covered in pasted, re-attach heat sink.

DO NOT CONSUME

THE END
 

acturisme

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Jul 21, 2008
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I apply a pea sized dab and smear it to the edges so that it is even with an old plastic gift card or putty knife.
 

DefunctTheory

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Mar 30, 2010
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Do not use thermal apoxy.

Other than that, google it. There is no technique here beyond different patterns to put on the same amount of paste.