Can I Apply Thermal Paste Using 5 Dots

[Appletax]

Intel's website shows the dot method so I will just go with that. I like that it's a lot easier. Just apply a small dot of TIM and latch on the cooler.

 

[Tekguy]

Lol. I think the temps for the CPU are the core temps or something. I think the temp1 sensor is the actual sensor. I don't think I've seen an AMD list temps for each individual core. Personally I would not like seeing my CPU at 53. Even during the burn test I think it went to 41. We usually keep the house temp at 70, slightly over. But the computer is in the basement. If I go by the sensor marked tmpin1, I think that's the correct reading, I actually hopped into the bios earlier, which showed it at 25 celsius. That sensor is showing 27-28 now. So I'm inclined to believe that's the proper temp. This is what I love though. I'm an AMD fan, and a lot of forums they get trashed. Personally I'm very happy with my FX. I mean running 4ghz on stock voltage? I'm thinking this chip may have some OC headroom. 4.5ghz sounds nice, just to see if it can do it.

The "Package" temp reading under your CPU is the core temperature. Am I reading that right, it looks like the minimum value was 0 degrees C (32F)?

 

[coffee]

Ive never used any real special method and I have been doing this for EONS. I use a credit card or business card and cover almost all the cpu. Leave a bit of room for bleed over when you put the heatsink on. Thats it - done.

As far as Iam concerned there is no "correct" way of doing it. Its just what works for you. The layer should be thin and cover where the cpu and heatsink meet.

Even if you put too much on, When you clamp down the cpu its going to ooz out the sides and leave you with the same amount as any other method. The only thing to worry about is not putting enough on. That would cause areas of the cpu to not be covered.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Yes not 100% sure. I think the tempin1 sensor may be the actual cpu temp.What apps do you ask recommend for checking temps? I've heard of Everest I think it's the name. Used to use speedfan.

 

[Appletax]

Tell me what your thoughts are on Intel's heatsink installation instructions:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-030329.htm

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Not sure I agree.I mean they probably work fine, I like the method of using a drop in the middle and spread it with my finger, either way. I do that personally to get a thin layer across the entire cpu that way I know I've got a good thin layer of paste. I don't like the other methods since I can't guarantee the amount of paste on each part. My way I know I'm good.

 

[Appletax]

This is a really good tutorial by Asus:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rn0BqMyXBM



Microcenter says:

Squeeze out just a dot of thermal paste in the center of CPU. It should be about the size of a small pea or BB.

Note: Do not put more than this on the CPU. When you put the CPU cooler on it will spread out to all four corners of the CPU to allow proper heat dissipation.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

If you knew why did you ask lol? Gotta toss sarcasm in there.

 

[Appletax]

If you knew why did you ask lol? Gotta toss sarcasm in there.

I really think that the 5 dot method makes a lot of sense for covering the whole CPU with TIM without having to spread it. I sent Asus a FB message asking about this. Their live chat is currently down due to bad weather.

 

[angry_geek]

Basic physics.

I would leave it there, but . . .
If you apply five dots of paste (one at each corner, one in center), then, where they come into contact as you're pressing on the heatsink, you will develop air bubbles. Not big bubbles, but still enough to interfere with efficient heat transfer. The goal is to fill microscopic pores and defects in the metal surfaces that will be making contact. Air is a very poor conductor of heat; copper and aluminum are very good conductors. Therefore, you want as perfect a contact as possible. The paste facilitates this. So, the best option is to apply a small amount in the center of the heatcap. As you apply the heatsink straight down, the pressure applied will force the paste to flow outward from the center, filling pores as it goes. When finished, the layer of paste will be extremely thin. This is what you want, and it minimizes air pockets. If you spread it out first, you will trap air as you do this. Applying the heatsink will just keep it there.

Now, we're not talking extremes here, so it's not going to be extraordinarily critical how you do it. This is why this topic continues to be discussed and debated on every tech forum on the internet.

 

[cyde_ePhex]

I used to use a small pea size blob and spread it out with a credit card size piece of plastic. I now no longer spread it out, I just place the heatsink on top of it to spread. In both instances however, I use ArctiClean's Thermal Material Removal and Thermal Surface Purifier before applying new paste (AS5).

 

[Tekguy]

Yes not 100% sure. I think the tempin1 sensor may be the actual cpu temp.What apps do you ask recommend for checking temps? I've heard of Everest I think it's the name. Used to use speedfan.

Core Temp seems to be another fairly popular CPU temp monitor.

 

[Appletax]

Basic physics.

I would leave it there, but . . .
If you apply five dots of paste (one at each corner, one in center), then, where they come into contact as you're pressing on the heatsink, you will develop air bubbles. Not big bubbles, but still enough to interfere with efficient heat transfer. The goal is to fill microscopic pores and defects in the metal surfaces that will be making contact. Air is a very poor conductor of heat; copper and aluminum are very good conductors. Therefore, you want as perfect a contact as possible. The paste facilitates this. So, the best option is to apply a small amount in the center of the heatcap. As you apply the heatsink straight down, the pressure applied will force the paste to flow outward from the center, filling pores as it goes. When finished, the layer of paste will be extremely thin. This is what you want, and it minimizes air pockets. If you spread it out first, you will trap air as you do this. Applying the heatsink will just keep it there.

Now, we're not talking extremes here, so it's not going to be extraordinarily critical how you do it. This is why this topic continues to be discussed and debated on every tech forum on the internet.

This is a great piece of advice. I'll do the dot method and stop worrying about it

 

[Appletax]

Here's what Asus told me on Facebook:

Hi Appletax,

Nice choice! Actually, it's best to just apply a dot on the center and press down to see it disperse. There's no need to apply too much thermal paste. If you were to apply it in the corner, it may end up coming off anyway. It's really supposed to be a thin layer as too much prevents the conduction of heat away from the CPU to the heatsink.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Appletax]

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Intel Customer Support.*

I understand you would like to know where to apply the thermal pates on your processor.

We recommend applying a small dot on the center.

Please see how to apply Thermal Interface Material (TIM) at:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-030329.htm*

You can also see how to install the processor at:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-030860.htm

See how to install the heat sink at:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-032036.htm

Anything else you need in the future, please feel free to contact us again, and we will be more than glad to help you!

 

[mr m]

It appears that spreading out the paste has fallen out of favor. Some instructions call for spreading, others call for the dot method. I guess I'll just go to Intel or Arctic Silver's web site for the recommended procedure for each chip.

One thing worth noting is that some thermal pastes are conductive like the one I use, AS 5. Their ceramic product is not conductive.