Did I put too much thermal paste compound? - AS5 Vertical Line Application

[MrN1ce9uy]

First time I tried it. I think I put a bit too much. Didn't realize it at the time. It's been a week and I still can't stress a previously stable overclock without thermal throttling.

i7-4790K

Instructions: http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appmeth/int/vl/intel_app_method_vertical_line_v1.1.pdf

My vertical line:

I was gonna wait the 200 hours to see if it changed anything, but I'm thinking I need to reapply with a much thinner line.

 

[clutchc]

That's a wee bit thicker than necessary, but it shouldn't be the problem. Are you sure the unstable OC is due to temps?

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

That's a wee bit thicker than necessary, but it shouldn't be the problem. Are you sure the unstable OC is due to temps?

I'm running Prime95 v26.6, and temps are fine for the first minute or so. But once CPU power reaches 120W temps just keep rising until it goes over 95C and locks up.

On previous thermal paste applications where I spread it myself, I could keep it below 85C on P95. I just get tired of spreading it myself and wanted to try the line method.

I can play BF1 for however long (25mins longest I played) and stays around 60C though.

 

[ko888]

Are you using motherboard BIOS version F6 or later?

What is the CPU core voltage? Sometimes using the Auto setting for CPU voltage will supply way more voltage than necessary causing the CPU to produce a lot of heat.

 

[Rhinofart]

I always use the spread method. I have a nice little plastic sploodger that I use. The amount you put on, is a little thick. Reaply it, if you have the time, and paste available. Just do the spread it yourself. If you don't have a good tool to smooth the paste out, get a new plastic sandwich baggie, and make a finger condom out of it, and use your finger to spread it around. I used that method for many years.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

Are you using motherboard BIOS version F6 or later?

What is the CPU core voltage? Sometimes using the Auto setting for CPU voltage will supply way more voltage than necessary causing the CPU to produce a lot of heat.

I'm using BIOS version F8. I set my vcore to 1.215V and x46 multiplier. I had to swap out my board for another one same make and model. Instead of spreading my paste out, I wanted to try the vertical line. I still think it's too much. I've had too much before, but on a 4690K and it acted similarly.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

I always use the spread method. I have a nice little plastic sploodger that I use. The amount you put on, is a little thick. Reaply it, if you have the time, and paste available. Just do the spread it yourself. If you don't have a good tool to smooth the paste out, get a new plastic sandwich baggie, and make a finger condom out of it, and use your finger to spread it around. I used that method for many years.

Yea I think you're right. I will try the plastic baggie because I'm not sure what a splooger looks like, lol. It would be nice to refine my line method though. Would make it so much easier. I will try that once more at least to see if I can get it right with less paste. Maybe wait til the weekend.

 

[ko888]

Are you using motherboard BIOS version F6 or later?

What is the CPU core voltage? Sometimes using the Auto setting for CPU voltage will supply way more voltage than necessary causing the CPU to produce a lot of heat.

I'm using BIOS version F8. I set my vcore to 1.215V and x46 multiplier. I had to swap out my board for another one same make and model. Instead of spreading my paste out, I wanted to try the vertical line. I still think it's too much. I've had too much before, but on a 4690K and it acted similarly.

On my i7-4790K I just use a line of AS5 that is the size of a grain of rice. Results in the perfect spread when the cooler is mounted.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

Are you using motherboard BIOS version F6 or later?

What is the CPU core voltage? Sometimes using the Auto setting for CPU voltage will supply way more voltage than necessary causing the CPU to produce a lot of heat.

I'm using BIOS version F8. I set my vcore to 1.215V and x46 multiplier. I had to swap out my board for another one same make and model. Instead of spreading my paste out, I wanted to try the vertical line. I still think it's too much. I've had too much before, but on a 4690K and it acted similarly.

On my i7-4790K I just use a line of AS5 that is the size of a grain of rice. Results in the perfect spread when the cooler is mounted.

I've heard of the grain of rice, just thought it didn't look like enough. If that works for you, I'm certain I've too much. I will find the right amount.

 

[Rhinofart]

I use long grain rice as the benchmark. 😉

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

I also have a tube of Cryorig CP7 (came with CRYORIGH H7), will that work with the line/rice grain method? Just in case I run out of AS5.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

That probably IS a little too much, BUT, I have a hard time believing that's what's causing your problem. I've seen tests where the people literally squeezed something like half a tube onto the IHS and the temps weren't much higher, really. Like 1 or 2 degrees, which is within the margin of error.

I'm not saying that everyone should just run out and do that to THEIR CPU, lol (it can cause more issues than just being too hot), but I'm just saying that I think there's more to your problem.

In any case, definitely redo it, but be careful not to move the cooler too much after you place the it onto the CPU. Could be creating air pockets, which WILL cause you to see higher temps than you should.

 

[burnhamjs]

On my i7-4790K I just use a line of AS5 that is the size of a grain of rice. Results in the perfect spread when the cooler is mounted.

Yes - this works best. The size of a grain of rice -no spreading around - just mount your cooler.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

I tried the grain of rice the day after I started this thread and allowed it to burn in. It produced the same result. Temps are fine at stock, but my 4.6GHz OC maxes out on temps under stress test.

I just now got around to reapplying thermal paste yesterday, and this time I took the time to spread the paste out like I have done in the past. It works best, as I can now keep my 4.6GHz OC under stress.