Best Way to Apply Thermal Paste

[Guest]

This is probably the most asked question, and I've researched the internet but I cannot find a a solid answer for it. Everyone has their own opinion and opinions are not facts or a valid benchmark.

Does anyone know of a scientific test that was used which proves the best way to apply thermal paste? Did Tom's ever do a review?

 

[blackhawk1928]

I just used my finger, carefully spread out a thin layer

 

[Henry Chinaski]

I have just found this video which it's very well done. Here you can see the correct way to apply the thermal paste:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7rPqCvCt0g

He is a young guy but He knows well what he is doing.

 

[pd0019]

I just used my finger, carefully spread out a thin layer

this is what i do...make sure it is a thin layer. too much thermal paste is bad

 

[Henry Chinaski]

All that I write are my opinions. Nothing more. You can take them or not.
For me that is the correct way. If you have another one which is better for you, good for you.

 

[iholbrookv2]

This is probably the most asked question, and I've researched the internet but I cannot find a a solid answer for it. Everyone has their own opinion and opinions are not facts or a valid benchmark.

Does anyone know of a scientific test that was used which proves the best way to apply thermal paste? Did Tom's ever do a review?

Your JOKE-IN? Right? Use your finger and put it on there. If your not running a radiator or anything like thermal gel in a fish tank you shouldn't worry about it. All you need is a finger and some Artic Silver compond. All your answers are on newegg.com

FYI- All you have to do is make sure you don't put to much or to little and that it dosn't go over the sides of the CPU.

Thanks.

 

[graywolf]

Not your finger, unless it's sealed in plastic wrap or a baggie. You can get skin cells on the paste. But you do have to make sure there are no spaces when the 2 pieces meet A-S id gummy, doesn't flow like the white stuff. I had to do my first Arctic Silver 3 times till it was just right.

 

[Henry Chinaski]

An important note for begginers: DON´T apply thermal paste over the mosfets. Most of the thermal pastes (Arctic silver 5, for example) conducts electricity and you will kill your mobo.

 

[iholbrookv2]

Not your finger, unless it's sealed in plastic wrap or a baggie. You can get skin cells on the paste. But you do have to make sure there are no spaces when the 2 pieces meet A-S id gummy, doesn't flow like the white stuff. I had to do my first Arctic Silver 3 times till it was just right.

It dosn't matter trust me I run a real gaming rig:

Specs:

GTX 260 1GIG of DDR3

AMD ATHOLON 2 x 2 Dual Core @ 3.0Ghz

3Gig's of Ram Dual Channel DDR2 800Mhz

160Gig Veloc-raptor 10,000RPM

and I'm playing on the Crysis editor Resolution 1680 by 1050, all VeryHigh settings and I'm writing a paper on Office and on here telling you that using your finger to apply the thermal paste WONT HURT IT I PROMISE YOU!!!! You know what I DONT EVEN USE A STATIC WRIST STRAP!

 

[iholbrookv2]

frankly i could care less how anyone applies thermal paste but wtf is a "real gaming rig"? Are there fake gaming rigs? You have a certificate with a stamp stating "REAL GAMING RIG"??

If I did would you be surprised! lol...

Well I can tell you I think its funny when were having a thread about the most perfect way to apply thermal paste I went to college for 2 years and thermal paste wasn't ever and I mean ever talked about in this extreme. Slap it on there and your good to go!

 

[iholbrookv2]

besides intel/amd,
ATI/Nvidia
I would say thermal paste would be the next most popular argument. The fact is as long as it works it makes little difference on the application method.

Thank you. End of our Discussion.

If it aint broke don't fix it.

 

[blackhawk1928]

Not your finger, unless it's sealed in plastic wrap or a baggie. You can get skin cells on the paste. But you do have to make sure there are no spaces when the 2 pieces meet A-S id gummy, doesn't flow like the white stuff. I had to do my first Arctic Silver 3 times till it was just right.

Buddy, believe me...i applied the paste with my finger and my i7 idles at 26 Celcius....and doesn't get past 40 (maybe very rarely) during various loads.

 

[randomizer]

Anyone suggesting a one size fits all method doesn't understand that each thermal paste is different. Some are ok with multiple application methods, others only work properly with one. I can think of one paste where spreading with your finger will do nothing but polish the stamp off the IHS.

As a general rule I would suggest using pressure to spread the paste, but you should still research the product you bought.

 

[jsc]

What I do:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=0

 

[flaminggerbil]

It dosn't matter trust me I run a real gaming rig:

Specs:

GTX 260 1GIG of DDR3

AMD ATHOLON 2 x 2 Dual Core @ 3.0Ghz

3Gig's of Ram Dual Channel DDR2 800Mhz

160Gig Veloc-raptor 10,000RPM

and I'm playing on the Crysis editor Resolution 1680 by 1050, all VeryHigh settings and I'm writing a paper on Office and on here telling you that using your finger to apply the thermal paste WONT HURT IT I PROMISE YOU!!!! You know what I DONT EVEN USE A STATIC WRIST STRAP!

I would LOVE to know how you running a "REEEL GAMING RIG" makes your opinion any more valid, let alone how well it will run crysis.


Personally I'd use a plastic bag over your finger if you're spreading it that way, some of the thermal paste is nasty ***.

 

[blackhawk1928]

It dosn't matter trust me I run a real gaming rig:

Specs:

GTX 260 1GIG of DDR3

AMD ATHOLON 2 x 2 Dual Core @ 3.0Ghz

3Gig's of Ram Dual Channel DDR2 800Mhz

160Gig Veloc-raptor 10,000RPM

and I'm playing on the Crysis editor Resolution 1680 by 1050, all VeryHigh settings and I'm writing a paper on Office and on here telling you that using your finger to apply the thermal paste WONT HURT IT I PROMISE YOU!!!! You know what I DONT EVEN USE A STATIC WRIST STRAP!

Yeah how is that a real gaming rig...? Is there a definition that clearly states what is and isn't.?

 

[Rubberbband]

I have always used a credit card when applying the paste to ensure I get a nice even thin coat.

 

[obsidian86]

ocz freeze, just dab an squash as recommended by ocz

 

[blackhawk1928]

how good of a job you did on applying thermal paste always shows itself in temperatures

 

[iholbrookv2]

I would LOVE to know how you running a "REEEL GAMING RIG" makes your opinion any more valid, let alone how well it will run crysis.


Personally I'd use a plastic bag over your finger if you're spreading it that way, some of the thermal paste is nasty ***.

I'm saying my hardware alone will most likley be running hotter for the fact I'm game with a intensive application an in = Crysis sandbox 2 editor! I applied the thermal paste not even with Artic Silver compound just some stock SH** that came with my AMD II x 2 3.02 GHz Dual Core and it runs cooler then most OEM put together projects that you would be purchasing from a store and I USED MY FINGER TO APPLY! Well I guess if you don't want to get those poor hands a little dirty then use a little baggy over your finger. I'm done talking about this!

 

[jesmoke]

I always apply a thin layer to the CPU. I have always had good results in terms of temps that way.

 

[flaminggerbil]

I'm saying my hardware alone will most likley be running hotter for the fact I'm game with a intensive application an in = Crysis sandbox 2 editor! I applied the thermal paste not even with Artic Silver compound just some stock SH** that came with my AMD II x 2 3.02 GHz Dual Core and it runs cooler then most OEM put together projects that you would be purchasing from a store and I USED MY FINGER TO APPLY! Well I guess if you don't want to get those poor hands a little dirty then use a little baggy over your finger. I'm done talking about this!

There's dirty and then there is toxic, the difference between the two is considerable.

Also an Athlon 2 running at 3.0 isnt even going to run hot in the first place...

 

[qbit]

I'm saying my hardware alone will most likley be running hotter for the fact I'm game with a intensive application an in = Crysis sandbox 2 editor! I applied the thermal paste not even with Artic Silver compound just some stock SH** that came with my AMD II x 2 3.02 GHz Dual Core and it runs cooler then most OEM put together projects that you would be purchasing from a store and I USED MY FINGER TO APPLY! Well I guess if you don't want to get those poor hands a little dirty then use a little baggy over your finger. I'm done talking about this!

Aside from the fact they can be toxic. The bag is to protect the thermal paste, not you.

 

[iholbrookv2]

There's dirty and then there is toxic, the difference between the two is considerable.

Also an Athlon 2 running at 3.0 isnt even going to run hot in the first place...

First of all anything running under a benchmark or a load can get hot! I've gotten things from RAM to overheat to Harddrives!

 

[iholbrookv2]

Aside from the fact they can be toxic. The bag is to protect the thermal paste, not you.

Don't worry the thermal paste will be fine, your not going to hurt it! I know thermal paste is really fragile!

*lol*