Discussion Apply thermal paste to Ryzen Zen 2 Cpu's.

[Kiril1512]

Hello. Back in 2014 I had my brand new I7 4790K and I've done some research and self tested what was the best method to apply thermal paste on the CPU and what was better (by 2ºC - 3ºC) was draw a vertical line with the paste across the CPU. That make sence since the chip is in the position like in this picture:

Spoiler: Intel I7 4790K chip

Now I'm building a PC to my brother and I bought for him the Ryzen 5 3600. For the first couple of months it will remain with stock cooler and we will upgrade it to the aftermarket latter on.
But even with the stock cooler or not, what is the best method to apply the paste since the chip are located like this?

Spoiler: Ryzen 5 3600 Chip

In this case would it be better to apply the line from top right to bottom left?

 

[CountMike]

Hello. Back in 2014 I had my brand new I7 4790K and I've done some research and self tested what was the best method to apply thermal paste on the CPU and what was better (by 2ºC - 3ºC) was draw a vertical line with the paste across the CPU. That make sence since the chip is in the position like in this picture:

Spoiler: Intel I7 4790K chip

Now I'm building a PC to my brother and I bought for him the Ryzen 5 3600. For the first couple of months it will remain with stock cooler and we will upgrade it to the aftermarket latter on.
But even with the stock cooler or not, what is the best method to apply the paste since the chip are located like this?

Spoiler: Ryzen 5 3600 Chip

In this case would it be better to apply the line from top right to bottom left?

It really doesn't matter as tim should cover whole contact surface EVENLY ! Putting more or less at any point is not productive.

 

[Kiril1512]

It really doesn't matter as tim should cover whole contact surface EVENLY ! Putting more or less at any point is not productive.

This is one of my points. I din't "believe" the results and done it by myself and I have seen those 2-3ºC decrease at least on idle temperatures...

 

[CountMike]

This is one of my points. I din't "believe" the results and done it by myself and I have seen those 2-3ºC decrease at least on idle temperatures...

That's well within margin of error, you could run tests after test and still show that margin. As I said before, important thing is to have right amount on whole surface no matter where the cores are as pressure will smear it anyway. You just can't put more directly above the core(s) and expect it to stay there. It's important to have tim as thin as possible, more is NOT better !! No matter how conductive TIM is it's still more of an insulator than heat conductor.

 

[DMAN999]

CountMike is 100% correct.

You can use any method you like as long as the end result is a thin layer that covers the entire chip.

I used the method recommended by my CPU Cooler manufacturer and applied a thin line on each of my 4 heatsink pipes.

View: https://youtu.be/5_aNJxNw5QY?t=110

 

[CountMike]

One small exception may be coolers with direct contact pipes, If tim is thick you may want to apply a bit of tim to cooler's base and wipe it off with a credit card so it fills up eventual space between pipes and base where some air pocket may form, Yes I know it's nitpicking but ....

 

[drea.drechsler]

...Putting more or less at any point is not productive.

but it adds to the mystique

 

[CountMike]

but it adds to the mystique

Lol, yeah. Thing is, it's only elementary physics.

 

[gamerbrehdy]

Not sure. Waterblock came with a pre-applied layer on the copper surface 😛

 

[CountMike]

Not sure. Waterblock came with a pre-applied layer on the copper surface 😛

So do most OEM coolers.

 

[Crosslhs82x2]

For a long time now I have done what Count Mike stated with my corsair water coolers on the pump head.
I just taint the copper plate with a very small amount using a credit card then apply a pea size dot the the cpu.
That is what seems to get the best temps
From a fx6300, fx8350 and my 2600x.