How do I use Artic silver ?

[Guest]

I am having serious problems with heat in my system and thought I would try to use some artic silver everyone is talking about. But how do I use it ? Should I apply the silver between my cooler and cpu ? Should I smear it all over the bottom of the cooler and then just slap it on the cpu ?

Is there something I should be really careful about when doing this ?

Thanxs

 

[gregorarch]

You should apply a very thin (almost transparent) film of the compound to the top surface of the CPU core. I tend to attach the heatsink and then remove it to check that the contact is even. Be VERY careful when attaching/removing heatsinks to avoid damaging the core.

Oh, and remove all traces of any other thermal compound from the contact surface - auto degreaser is apparently the best, but I find isopropyl alcohol works OK.

 

[Guest]

Clean both surfaces gently, but remove all of the old crap on the CPU and heatsink. Anything can be used to clean the heatsink, but I have found Automotive Brake Cleaner to work well in removing really stubborn stuff, then use alcohol to clean it off the final time. Apply the Arctic Silver to the CPU Core only! Do not use much, I apply about 6-8 dots evenly across the core and upon attaching the heatsink it will spread out evenly. Do not use your finger to wipe on the compound at all, or even touch the CPU Core or heatsink with your finger after cleaning with alcohol, the oil in your hands will have negative effects.

 

[phsstpok]

You want a thin coat applied to the top of the core. I mean really thin. I use a razor blade to apply the material and "squeegy" it off which leaves just a film. I don't recommend using your finger and definitely not a cloth because it could leave lint between the heatsink and the core. The idea is to get surface-to-surface, metal-to-metal contact. The thermal compound is there to fill the micro pores and irregularities. The compound is less of an insulator than the "air". That's how it improves heat transfer.