question on Thermal Interface Material

[ixeT]

Imagine that's a GPU core or a CPU without its heat spreader. Normally you would apply TIM on the gray shaded center right? I was wondering if its alright to spread the TIM around the green area of the core? And what happens if some of if gets onto the little black or gray chips like in the poorly illustrated picture above? The TIM in question is either AS5 or Zalman Super Thermal Grease.

 

[apt403]

I wouldnt put TIM on the green part of the chip, since it doesnt get hot. Just put it in the gray block thing in the center, thats the actual cpu die, where all the heat is generated. Plus, the heat spreader will only make contact with the die of the cpu, not the rest of the chip. Im assuming those black little black things are ment to be the surface mount caps on the chip, it would probably be best to avoid getting paste on them.

 

[31computers]

DONT spread TIM on the green area, just on the shaded area.

If any TIM gets on the little dark areas, clean off thoroughly with a paper towel.

Not much difference in performance with TIM's but perfectionists and overclockers use AS5 to get those last few degrees of cooling.

 

[ixeT]

Ok.. So lets say I'm using the Zalman brush to apply the TIM, and when trying to spread the paste as thin as possible I brushed some of the TIM on the green area, not too much, just a bit. Will that cause a short circuit or damage some components? I'll avoid the black things

 

[apt403]

You'll be fine. Although it couldnt hurt to clean it off...

 

[ixeT]

Alright. Thanks a million for the feedback and advices

 

[cardio]

I you go to Arctic Silvers website there is a tutorial on applying the stuff.
It hasf instructions an pictures for each processor. It does work to do it their way.