Did I apply my thermal paste right?

[PhaseRebirth]

I'm using Cooler master high performance thermal compound for a large heatsink after market cooler. I put a small line of the compound and some of it is on the right side of the cpu (not directly in the middle) I've seen multiple videos on YouTube on how to put on thermal compound and I heard multiple theories. "Having a small grain of rice size in the middle is the best" "A small line in the middle is the most efficient" etc. I just want to know if having some thermal compound on the side is ok. I already put on the heat sink and everything so if I would have to take it off all over again that would stink lol

 

[johnnyb105]

You don't want thermal paste leaking out of the sides of your heatsink into the cpu socket it can creat havock to your system and damage you want a pea size drop in the middle of your cpu then put your heatsink and fan back on... Sorry this stinks but better safe then sorry....