How to reseat cooler and reapply thermal paste

[Sturmgewehr_44]

I'm using a Hyper 212 Evo as a cooler, and recently started to pursue Overclocking and it's benefits. My temperatures are quite high, and that makes it pretty hard to do it. I was advised to reseat my CPU cooler, and reapply thermal paste. The problem is, I've never actually installed a CPU cooler or applied Thermal Paste, because I had a lot of help when I first built my PC, and I really had no part in installing it. I'm not sure what compound was even used, although it could have been the stock paste. I have many questions. How hard is it is it to uninstall a CPU cooler and apply thermal paste, then hook it back up again? I researched a bit, but I'm still very worried and some of my doubts have not been clarified yet. How do I remove existing Thermal Paste safely? I heard 99% Rubbing Alcohol will do the deed, but I find this a bit risky. What happens if some of it accidentally gets in the socket, or trickles off the CPU unto the Motherboard? (see my sig for specs). More so, what is the exact methodology for applying Thermal Compounds? There are so many methods of doing so, which one should I use? And, my Hyper 212 Evo does come with it's own Thermal Paste. I'm concerned though, because it is probably conductive, and that carries a large risk factor when applying, right? I've been thinking about getting some Arctic Mx-4. Is that non-conductive and won't be an issue if some gets on my Motherboard capacitors, etc? Also, how should I get all this done? Is it complicated? This is an observation on my part, but my Hyper 212 Evo is raised a bit to allow Ram clearance. Could that complicate anything???

These are just my general concerns, but I'm still not certain if any of this is needed. Only one person recommended I check out my CPU cooler.

However, I did check my cooler today and it is secure and looks like it is seated properly. I cleared a big caking of dust out of my I/O holes, and I do notice some better airflow because of that, but I'm still running rather hot considering I'm using a reputable cooler and am currently on stock. Even on stock, I am idling 31c from the hottest core, but in the Bios it is reporting "CPU Temperature" as 20-23c.

In Prime95 blend, after 23 minutes, the temperature is in the mid 60s, but a few minutes earlier it was even in the 70s, still on stock, and my voltage really isn't high at all, 1.220 on stock (3.9ghz turbo). I would really love some help and guidance, I'm once again at a loss.

 

[byza]

It's pretty easy, all you'll need is a screwdriver, rubbing alcohol and thermal paste.
Rubbing alcohol isn't conductive and will just evaporate if you spill it, so don't worry too much. In any case you only need a little, usually you can buy wipes from the pharmacy, so it shouldn't be dripping everywhere anyway.
I use the dot method for applying paste, some people like to spread it, I don't really think it matters too much. I like to heat the paste in a water tight bag in warm water for about 10 minutes to make it more viscus, just make sure that there is no water on your hands when you go to apply it. The CM paste is non-conductive, but again you shouldn't be spilling it everywhere anyway. If you see it coming out the sides, your probably using too much and should remove the cooler anyway and start over.

 

[Calvin7]

Thermal Compound Instructions:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/methods.html

 

[Sturmgewehr_44]

It's pretty easy, all you'll need is a screwdriver, rubbing alcohol and thermal paste.
Rubbing alcohol isn't conductive and will just evaporate if you spill it, so don't worry too much. In any case you only need a little, usually you can buy wipes from the pharmacy, so it shouldn't be dripping everywhere anyway.
I use the dot method for applying paste, some people like to spread it, I don't really think it matters too much. I like to heat the paste in a water tight bag in warm water for about 10 minutes to make it more viscus, just make sure that there is no water on your hands when you go to apply it. The CM paste is non-conductive, but again you shouldn't be spilling it everywhere anyway. If you see it coming out the sides, your probably using too much and should remove the cooler anyway and start over.

Are you sure it is non-conductive? Are most thermal pastes non-conductive. I'm getting mixed viewpoints about if it is conductive or not, so that's why I'm asking.

I just discovered I'm running Prime 95 v28.5, which is apparently much hotter than older versions. Could this be a factor, and wouldn't getting the alcohol on the motherboard or socket cause damage because it is wet, and how long does it take to evaporate? Water damages Motherboards, even though it also evaporates. Do you use a Hyper 212 Evo. I think it would be very helpful to talk to someone who does, because honestly I have no idea how to take it out of my system in the first place, or put it back in, and the manual that comes with it is a messy blob of info.

Another problem is I can't completely remove the heatsink unless I take off the Fan first, because my Ram is in the way. Is this easy? And then I need to adjust th fan height. I have no idea how that is done. I'm so clueless (sighs...).

Overall, to sum it up, is it generally "risky?"

 

[byza]

The fan just 'unclips' it's very easy to remove/reposition, there are just two little tabs on each side.
Most thermal pastes are non-conductive except for the liquid metal variety which are conductive and more difficult to apply correctly.
The alcohol doesn't damage components which is why it's used. If you spill it, it'll usually evaporate in under a minute, unless you spill a lot, depends how warm the climate is too. As I said, I think the wipes are the best option. The alcohol is already applied and not too much of it, also the wipes are made so they don't leave lint behind. In any case I don't really see how you'd get alcohol on the motherboard, you don't pour it onto the CPU, you apply it to a cloth then rub off the paste with the cloth.
I don't have an EVO, but I know how to install one. All you need to do to change the paste is to remove the fan then unscrew the 4 screws you can see connected to the X shaped retention plate then the cooler will come off. Don't worry about the back plate or anything else.
Most people wouldn't really consider it risky I don't think. Maybe 4/10 in difficulty if you've never done it before and should take less than 30 mins.

 

[Sturmgewehr_44]

The fan just 'unclips' it's very easy to remove/reposition, there are just two little tabs on each side.
Most thermal pastes are non-conductive except for the liquid metal variety which are conductive and more difficult to apply correctly.
The alcohol doesn't damage components which is why it's used. If you spill it, it'll usually evaporate in under a minute, unless you spill a lot, depends how warm the climate is too. As I said, I think the wipes are the best option. The alcohol is already applied and not too much of it, also the wipes are made so they don't leave lint behind. In any case I don't really see how you'd get alcohol on the motherboard, you don't pour it onto the CPU, you apply it to a cloth then rub off the paste with the cloth.
I don't have an EVO, but I know how to install one. All you need to do to change the paste is to remove the fan then unscrew the 4 screws you can see connected to the X shaped retention plate then the cooler will come off. Don't worry about the back plate or anything else.
Most people wouldn't really consider it risky I don't think. Maybe 4/10 in difficulty if you've never done it before and should take less than 30 mins.

Yeah, I think I'll need to remove the fan to be able to access the two right screws, because the Ram is blocking them. Do you know how to readjust height for the fan after I do this? I don't think the manual that comes with it even describes it. The guide is really trashy. The included thermal paste doesn't list any of it's ingredients. What I'm worrying about is the paste spreading once pressed by the cooler and accidentally leaking off the side. Does this happen often? If I'm correct, isn't the heatsink connected by a clip or something? Couldn't I just remove that to get access to the X-bracket easier?

I also want to be sure I need to do this. Judging by the temps I posted, would reapplying a thermal compound actually help? Some thought it would, but I'm still on the fence, but I'm leaning towards doing it. I just want to make sure it's worthwhile.

I can buy wipes with 99% rubbing alcohol? Is it safe?

 

[byza]

The fan is held onto the cooler by tabs on the fan bracket, it can be put in any position you want, just clip it on where you want it.
The heatsink is held on by the X-bracket. The x bracket is held on by 4 screws. remove these 4 screws and the bracket and cooler will come off.
You only need a tiny bit of thermal paste so it leaking out the sides doesn't happen very often, and if you see it start to come out the sides you've used too much. The thermal paste isn't 'runny' it's actually quite viscus, like a slightly wet clay, so even if it starts to come out the sides, it's not going to instantly run down the processor.
If the current themal paste application isn't good than it can raise temps and replacing it can lower temps a bit, it's also possible that you just got a CPU that runs really hot. Overclocking comes down the the silicon lottery in the end.
Honestly 60s and 70's wouldn't worry me too much, it's maybe a little warm but the cpu will rarely if ever be pushed as hard as when it's running prime, it'll be quite a bit cooler running games. There is really no way to know if the thermal paste application is bad unless you try it again. Here is a pretty good guide on applying it.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-heat-sink-heat-spreader,3600.html
Yes you can buy wipes with rubbing alcohol, I get them from the pharmacy in Aus. They are in little packets about 2-3cm square. Just buy a few.
What CPU, motherboard and PSU are you using?

 

[Thelps]

I had a bad application of CPU heatsink and thermal paste on my first build.

All that happened was that my PC would shut down by itself. That was due to the Motherboard's thermal sensor initiating an automated shutdown to protect the Processor. It kicked in at around 95°c-100°c.

The whole process, as Byza says, is very low-risk. You'll know if you didn't fasten the cooler tightly enough or if the paste isn't evenly applied by the machine switching itself off. That's your cue to try again.

 

[Sturmgewehr_44]

The fan is held onto the cooler by tabs on the fan bracket, it can be put in any position you want, just clip it on where you want it.
The heatsink is held on by the X-bracket. The x bracket is held on by 4 screws. remove these 4 screws and the bracket and cooler will come off.
You only need a tiny bit of thermal paste so it leaking out the sides doesn't happen very often, and if you see it start to come out the sides you've used too much. The thermal paste isn't 'runny' it's actually quite viscus, like a slightly wet clay, so even if it starts to come out the sides, it's not going to instantly run down the processor.
If the current themal paste application isn't good than it can raise temps and replacing it can lower temps a bit, it's also possible that you just got a CPU that runs really hot. Overclocking comes down the the silicon lottery in the end.
Honestly 60s and 70's wouldn't worry me too much, it's maybe a little warm but the cpu will rarely if ever be pushed as hard as when it's running prime, it'll be quite a bit cooler running games. There is really no way to know if the thermal paste application is bad unless you try it again. Here is a pretty good guide on applying it.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-heat-sink-heat-spreader,3600.html
Yes you can buy wipes with rubbing alcohol, I get them from the pharmacy in Aus. They are in little packets about 2-3cm square. Just buy a few.
What CPU, motherboard and PSU are you using?

I just bought some 99% Isopropyl, Microfibre, and MX4. That should suit me well enough.

I understand it isn't exactly possible to know what temperature improvement I will see by reapplying quality Thermal Compound, but if I'm lucky, could I see maybe a 15c decrease in CPU temperature?? My temperatures are listed in the original question, if that would help.

Anyway, my specs are in my signature, well, most of them.

My stock temps on Prime95 don't really bother me that much, and I've used it presumably like this for nearly three years. When overclocking though, this quickly becomes a problem because even at a rather low voltage (auto) and 4.2ghz, it hits close to 80c on Prime. I don't think my CPU is just a poor batch, at least I don't want to think that. I'm hoping I'm just lacking on the thermal paste and reapplying a good one like MX4 will vastly help. Could it?

 

[Sturmgewehr_44]

This thread is a tad dated (lol not really), but I started to get this whole annoying project done, and I've hit a few problems, or more accurately, some concerns. If I neglected to mention the cooler I'm using, it's a Hyper 212 Evo.

When I unscrewed the thing, the standoffs came with it, and the back-bracket disconnected. After much distress, I got it back on again, hopefully...

standoffs same good too, although they aren't tightened to their max, however I believe they are in good hands. They only really "flex" when gripping them from the sides with reasonable force, and it is barely an effect at all.

That is the good news. The bad part is that I'm still unable to properly mount the cooler. The adjustable arm that goes under the heatsink is attached via a small hole. However, it can easily fall out of it when mounting. This makes doing it so much more difficult. I also find it hard to reach the standoff holes. I need to move the heatsink around a bit to find them.

It feels like the cooler is skating it is so slippery. It makes the whole scene feel very clumsy and bulky.

Does anyone know any good methods to mount the cooler without messing up the paste and causing some serious air bubbles???

I've had to reapply the paste at least six times overall. I am an awful perfectionist, but sometimes I genuinely mess(ed) up.


When I'm done cleaning the CPU, it does look pretty clean. However, there does remain some thermal compound on the left extremities of the CPU. Not that much, just a very thin line on the edge. I'm afraid I can't get at it without removing the CPU. Will this cause temperature issues down the road??

Also, it is not seemingly possible to get the CPU sparkling. Even after a good clean with the 99%, there still remains some scratches, and some isolated and bare remnants of dirt and thermal debris. It isn't easy to see, but under through searching and examining under a light, it can be seen. The same is true with the copper part of the heatsink.



I don't know if this is relevant, but the backplate is raised 1 or 2cm from the board's back. Is this normal? If I press it so it can touch the motherboard, it pushes two of the standoffs partly out of their mounting holes. I assume this is by design to prevent frying the motherboard?

Above all, no video or guide seems to note the harshness of mounting the bloody thing. Maybe it is just me?

How tight should it be screwed in once I actually manage to get it done properly?