Should I reseat my CPU cooler

[Lefti]

Zalman CPNS9700LED on a Q9550 with Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound.

The temperature difference of 5 degrees always seems to be there, is this normal? I would be happier if all the core temperatures were similar.

Perhaps one half of the CPU does not have good contact with the heatsink?

 

[dimothy]

I would suggest your assumption could be correct. Been undergoing some heat problems myself recently and have done a chunk of reading on thermal paste application of late. From what I can ascertain quad cores my be better off having a thin line of thermal paste applied rather than the traditional rice grain sized blob in the centre.

I wonder if a tiny blob over each core might be better though I am purely speculating.

 

[megamanx00]

Yup sounds like you need to re-apply that thermal compound. Personally I always prefer to use Antec Thermal Silver ever since my K6-2 . Anyway you'd best re-apply it with a thin line of even paste since Noctua NT-H1 is some good stuff and you shouldn't have that big temperature difference if it was on there evenly. I make sure to put a thin layer across the bottom of the heat sink to ensure better heat transfer.

 

[iluvgillgill]

make sure the thermal paste is very thin and push down the cooler to make sure the paste spread evenly.

 

[Lefti]

Thanks for the replies, I'll remove the heatsink and re-apply the thermal paste, i went with the blob in the middle approach last time.

I've done a bit of reading on the subject and saw some people put a blob on the cpu and then spread it using a credit card or similar to get a thin layer across the whole surface of the cpu. What opinions do people have on this method?

 

[iluvgillgill]

or you can use some cling film to wrap it roung your finger and spread the thermal paste

 

[dimothy]

wow, the cling film method sounds good. alot easier than trying to manhandle a credit card round the retention bracket and probably much cleaner! Good tip.

 

[iluvgillgill]

just remember dont wrap food with that cling film afterward!lol

 

[V3NOM]

mmmm i still disagree with the cling wrap/condom idea just grab a xiggy and chuck three lines on each of the heatpipes

 

[iluvgillgill]

^i never said this method dont work><

 

[V3NOM]

tru...tru... hey gill u hear about what happened to lupi?