Thermal paste on the FX-4100

[Lluraeden]

Hi all, I'm building a computer for the first time and I am not sure what I need to buy in terms of thermal paste. I have the AMD FX-4100 CPU with a Corsair H60 liquid cpu cooler. I thought I read somewhere that certain processors required different kinds of thermal paste, but I haven't been able to find anything else that says that. I was wondering what kind of paste I should buy for this? Thanks a lot,
Sam

 

[amrcnfirestorm]

I've never heard of the idea that different pastes are better for different cpu's. It's just metal to metal..
Anyways, easy solution. Arctic Silver 5 is undoubtedly the best in my book.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

You can check other vendors besides newegg for better prices, but that link is just there for reference.
Have fun with your build!

PS: note its rock solid rating of 5 stars from over 5000 buyers. It's a solid product

 

[Lluraeden]

ok, thanks! And do I put the compound on the cooler, or on the CPU itself?

 

[Rockdpm]

Again, Artic Silver 5, Best Thermal Compound. Used by overclockers around the world. Heck i am sure people begged to get sponsored by them to get AS5 for life.

 

[Raiddinn]

Arctic Silver 5 is good, yes.

There is also no good reason to choose one paste over another depending on what CPU you have.

Some pastes just work better than others, but that really has nothing to do with what kind of CPU you have. It would only have to do with the properties inherent to the paste itself.

 

[Rockdpm]

ok, thanks! And do I put the compound on the cooler, or on the CPU itself?

Look on youtube, How to apply thermal compound. Ill give you some easy steps first tho

1. Detach the Cooler from the CPU socket. 2. (I prefer to apply to the top of the CPU) then put the cooler back on. The Thermal paste should spread across the CPU on its on with proper pressure. Be sure not to mash to hard on the CPU when putting the Cooler back on

 

[amrcnfirestorm]

I apply the compound to the top of the cpu as well, but also onto the cooler itself.

One thing to remember is that you only need a VERY THIN layer of paste. You do not need to use the entire tube that you buy. I've bought a tube and used it on 4 builds already and still have some left.

 

[Raiddinn]

I don't know about "very thin", but regular "thin" certainly.

If the dot of paste is as small as a pea, it is not enough. It needs to be the size of a lentil.

I would say it is easier to do 1 larger drop rather than 2 smaller ones on both sides.

 

[noob2222]

not a whole lot of difference between thermal pastes, ~5 degrees max between best and worst (not counting their funny ideas, toothpaste, chocolate, daiper ointment)

As for applying it, http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermal-Compound-Roundup-February-2012/1490/5

 

[Raiddinn]

5c is a pretty big temperature difference.

I can't add a fan and get that kind of reduction (I do already have 6 mounted, admittedly).

Especially so since the processor temperature can have a lot to do with stability of the entire system.

I would pay the extra couple bucks for a solid paste like AS5 if it were me.

 

[Lluraeden]

Best answer selected by Lluraeden.