I have come across many topics related to high cpu temperatures, where the advice included something along the lines of: "Check to make sure that there is good contact between the cpu and the heatsink."
On the face of it, this is good advice because good, i.e., sufficient, contact area is crucial to maximize the heat transfer rate between the cpu and the heatsink. However, I have found myself wondering just exactly how this is done. Short of ensuring that that the heatsink is properly mounted on the motherboard, what else can a person do? I suppose you can also check that the cpu is properly installed and locked in place. I am not sure what else can be done. (Removing the heatsink and examining the pattern the thermal paste makes will give some indication of the contact area that was present, but you are then left with the same problem when reinstalling it.)
Are there any other methods/techniques out there?
On the face of it, this is good advice because good, i.e., sufficient, contact area is crucial to maximize the heat transfer rate between the cpu and the heatsink. However, I have found myself wondering just exactly how this is done. Short of ensuring that that the heatsink is properly mounted on the motherboard, what else can a person do? I suppose you can also check that the cpu is properly installed and locked in place. I am not sure what else can be done. (Removing the heatsink and examining the pattern the thermal paste makes will give some indication of the contact area that was present, but you are then left with the same problem when reinstalling it.)
Are there any other methods/techniques out there?