Am I using enough?

[Skpstr]

Just swapped out my mobo, and when I pulled the cooler off the CPU, the thermal paste on both parts was patchy, (some spots were clean on both parts) but in a couple spots, there was about a mm or less "dripping" off the side of the CPU.

Does that seem right, or when I take them apart, should there be enough paste so there's a thin consistent coating?

The computer had worked fine for 4 years prior to the mobo failure, but I never checked temps after the first couple days.

I just want to be sure I'm getting enough paste on.

 

[thx1138v2]

If you have thermal paste "dripping off the side of the CPU", you may be using too much. The function of the thermal paste to fill the microscopic rough spots on your heat spreader and the heat sink.

I usually put mine on the cpu after installing it in the socket and then scrape the top of the heat spreader with a brand new single edge razor blade help almost vertically to the heat spreader. Then do the same with the heat sink.

There shouldn't be enough left to ooze over the edge of either device.

 

[geofelt]

Before I remove a cooler, I try to heat up the cpu. That softens the paste making it easier to remove the cooler.

From your description, I think you used too much paste.
Paste is used to fill in microscopic air pits in the mating surfaces.
Air is a poor heat conductor and paste is better.
But, paste is not as good as metal to metal contact.
Excessive paste will act as an insulator; not good.
A small rice sized drop in the center of the cpu die will spread out under heat and pressure.
No way should it ever drip over the sides.
It is very hard to use too little.

 

[BMBiscuit]

Easiest way to put thermal paste on is just to put a dot in the middle of the CPU heat spreader, not that big though. Never had any issues using that method. Spreading the thermal paste out with something might create air bubbles, so you should not do that. Also you could look at a youtube video, there are plenty of them.