which method is better X or pea in cpu

[HDMI703]

which is better way to apply thermal paste X or pea in the center

 

[SPgamer007]

X Shape

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I've always used pea sized dot.

Let heatsink Spread it.

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

There is no "better way", it's all down to personal preference. My preference is to apply a pea-sized amount and spread it with an old credit card, that way, I know the entire surface of the CPU is evenly covered.

 

[HDMI703]

which does better cooling x or pea

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I've always used pea , but I'm sure results are similar.

 

[synphul]

I've used both and they're pretty similar. Any difference is likely to be within the normal margin of error. Unless you use a ton or the thermal paste is extremely thick, most high pressure mount systems will sort it out during install and will squeeze any excess out (though not a good idea to have that much excess everywhere). Sort of like the old debate of which thermal paste cools better and people will often swear by a favorite brand. Years ago when the only 'performance' type pastes commonly available to people were early arctic silver, it made much more difference. Even though people swear by mx-4 or as5 now, lots of places including tom's have tested anywhere from 30-70 thermal pastes. Outside of some terrible no names (more likely to be default paste with a stock or budget cooler) and some fiddly high end solutions, there's only around 2, maybe 3c difference across 25-50 of those tested pastes.

 

[LeadGaming]

Personally, I love to spread a thin coat of paste on the cpu. Maybe it isn't the smartest/best way, but for right now..... it is my way. I wouldn't recommend for anyone to do it that way because of the potential air pockets over the pea method, but I've never had problems with overheating using it (If it ain't broke for you, don't fix it).

The 'Pea Method' might get majority of the votes on how to apply compound. No, not all the methods aren't the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

 

[synphul]

Kind of a cool video, but not very realistic. For one, they used about twice the silicone based compound in those tests (especially the line test) as they did the as3 - and simply pressing a clear plastic sheet (which flexes) by hand isn't at all the same as a rigid metal base found on a cpu cooler mounted with high tension and screws.

 

[synphul]

That's kind of like saying oh look, these bolts are crap and won't hold your brakes on your car, see how they wobble and fell off catastrophically during a test? Finger tightened, sure. Try using a wrench and the story is much different. Even knurled thumb screws would apply more force just by the inherent nature of threads (even fine ones) ability to exert incredible force for their size with ease.