Question Re: Clarifications on CPU install

[ymi04060513]

Hi,
I just got my Ryzen 7 5700x CPU shipped and plan on switching out my current Ryzen 7 2700x CPU and cooler. I know that this is a very straightforward operation but everytime I do this I always have something go wrong.

I currently have a B450 Tomahawk MOBO; before installation, the only thing I need to do is to upgrade my BIOS to the most recent BIOS level and then boot up and swap the part out, correct?

And, when I apply the thermal paste, should I manually spread it out myself, that's what I've historically done but some people have been saying its better to let the Cooler Heatsink spread out as its tightened to the CPU. If this is the case, would you recommend 1 pea sized glob in the middle, or 9 smaller globs in a 3x3 grid fashion, or 4 globs in the corners, obviously central enough so it reached the middle and doesn't overflow the sides. I have found that many people have different ways for applying Thermal Paste.

After unisntalling BIOS do I have to uninstall anything for the Ryzen 7 2700x, driver-ish-wise, or just unfit, then slide the Ryzen 7 5700x in and boot.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Update BIOS to latest STABLE release. Do not update to any Beta releases. For your board the 7C02v1I is the latest release that is stable. The newest release is a Beta version.

For the thermal paste, what is your cooler model or are you planning to use the stock cooler?

 

[geofelt]

A tip:
Before shutting down to change the processor, run the cpu a bit to heat it up.
CPU-Z bench will do this easily.
This will soften the existing paste, making the cooler easier to remove.

Methods vary, here is what noctua suggests:

How should I apply the NT-H1 or NT-H2 thermal paste onto the CPU and how can I remove it?

Applying thermal paste Both our NT-H1 and NT-H2 are easy to apply and generally don’t need to be spread out manually on the CPU. However, our recommendations differ slightly from paste to paste and from CPU size to CPU size, so please refer to o...

faqs.noctua.at

 

[ymi04060513]

Update BIOS to latest STABLE release. Do not update to any Beta releases. For your board the 7C02v1I is the latest release that is stable. The newest release is a Beta version.

For the thermal paste, what is your cooler model or are you planning to use the stock cooler?

My cooler model is the AK500 Digital, and im using some old Corsair i think Mx4 or similiarly named thernal paste.

 

[Darkbreeze]

MX4 is Arctic.

So, I would recommend just putting a small blob about half the size of a canned pea right dead center of the CPU heat spreader and install it. Be sure to clean the bottom of the CPU heatsink thoroughly using 91% isopropyl alcohol and lint free cloth or paper coffee filter.

Tighten even all the way around moving from corner to corner or side to side in about 1 turn increments until snug.

 

[ymi04060513]

MX4 is Arctic.

So, I would recommend just putting a small blob about half the size of a canned pea right dead center of the CPU heat spreader and install it. Be sure to clean the bottom of the CPU heatsink thoroughly using 91% isopropyl alcohol and lint free cloth or paper coffee filter.

Tighten even all the way around moving from corner to corner or side to side in about 1 turn increments until snug.

Gotcha, all done, no complaints; my MOBO didn't have a PIN receptor, so I can't use my CPU Digital Display, but that's okay; I'm waiting for someone to help me with an adapter/workaround; thanks for your help!

 

[Darkbreeze]

For sure. Anytime.

And for the record, that method is basically what we recommend for pretty much all consumer CPU installations unless there is very clear evidence to the contrary across the board that another method is recommended due to unusual or different internal configurations of the CPU like there are for some chiplet designs, and some of the Threadrippers, etc. But even then, if in doubt, a single blob about half the size of a canned pea will generally work for just about anything. If it's a larger or rectangular shaped heat spreader, then in a case like that especially if there is available information that there are multiple potential hotspots under the heat spreader, then maybe two blobs in order to achieve better coverage.

The only thing you are trying to do with thermal paste is fill in the micro-pores in the metal so that both surfaces have more complete heat transfer. The paste itself isn't adding any additional cooling capability or anything else to the equation other than making sure surface A is able to more fully transfer it's heat to surface B.

 

[ymi04060513]

For sure. Anytime.

And for the record, that method is basically what we recommend for pretty much all consumer CPU installations unless there is very clear evidence to the contrary across the board that another method is recommended due to unusual or different internal configurations of the CPU like there are for some chiplet designs, and some of the Threadrippers, etc. But even then, if in doubt, a single blob about half the size of a canned pea will generally work for just about anything. If it's a larger or rectangular shaped heat spreader, then in a case like that especially if there is available information that there are multiple potential hotspots under the heat spreader, then maybe two blobs in order to achieve better coverage.

The only thing you are trying to do with thermal paste is fill in the micro-pores in the metal so that both surfaces have more complete heat transfer. The paste itself isn't adding any additional cooling capability or anything else to the equation other than making sure surface A is able to more fully transfer it's heat to surface B.

Gotcha, yeah, ive swapped out a bunch of CPUs before but i feel like, and this might be selction bias, but when i do something always goes a muck, but i guess all the times i do it correctly i dont think about it. Thanks for your help!

 

[Darkbreeze]

Anytime man.