Question Best method to apply thermal paste on Alder lake?

[Philosophia]

I've always used the pea method with thermal paste when installing on Square CPUs. With alder lake being rectangular in shape; what do you think is the best method? Does pea shape no longer cut it?

 

[Lafong]

I wonder how much it would matter. Haven't read anything about the issue on Alder Lake

Might be more important to consider the overall dimensions of the CPU as it sits in the motherboard. Somewhat larger? But I'm not sure what's directly underneath the center compared to earlier generations.

I typically use something closer to a BB than a green pea. Maybe I'd increase to a green pea when I rebuild if I don't hear anything to the contrary.

 

[NameChanged38]

I assembled the roommates new build 2 weeks ago with a 12600K. Noticed the same predicament. I put a normal pea sized dot dead center, then two smaller ones closer to the sides. Wanted to know if my guesstimate was close, so I removed the cooler and checked coverage. Was almost flawless. Could've used just a hair more at the sides for immaculate coverage.

Reapplied new paste then later hit it with Prime95 and it's holding up great.