Tips & Tricks

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

TheBMan — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 15:51:52 GMT

thehalogod:
If you do a straight line accross the center of the proc as mentioned in the first post, what's to prevent the thermal compound from coming out the sides?

Not putting a huge glob on for the line?

A tiny, thin line will not spill out over the edges and will apply plenty of compound where it needs to be: right accross the two dies.

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

thehalogod — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 22:46:55 GMT

If you do a straight line accross the center of the proc as mentioned in the first post, what's to prevent the thermal compound from coming out the sides?

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

J172 — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:05:28 GMT

GREAT post, I've always followed ArcticSilver 5 rules, its the only heatsink I use and trust.

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/775

Ynot — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:03:57 GMT

It's simple in everyone's thought. However many find it confusing to when they are actually doing it. Thanks for the post.

Re: blob and squish

pcmark — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:58:42 GMT

Here's a pretty good article for more info regarding thermal compound, grease and pads http://www.heatsink-guide.com/content.php?content=compound.shtml. The article re-iterates the importance of compound, its purpose, coverage area and yet another method for applying it. This guy actually applies compound with his fingers (a little messy if you ask me).

I guess it's worth mentioning that set times are recommended (not always necessary) to allow some compounds to set before firing up your CPU.

I'd say there is plenty of good info in this thread for people to successfully install the heatsink they buy from Newegg. Good luck.

Re: blob and squish

TheBMan — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 03:31:12 GMT

pcmark:

i do not disagree with your response in the purpose of thermal compound. this is a method for applying it. when it is only applied to the center of the processor it definately does not always cover the entire surface area. if you look at processors that have been installed using the blob and squish method, the circle or spread of the compound is not always covering as much as it should. using this method will distribute a thin layer and ensures that all surfaces are sufficiently filled/covered and that there is not too much applied.

to each his own

Indeed, however not all heatsinks cover the entire processor heatspreader either. Typically, the center of heat is in the center of the heatspreader, as the acutal processor dies are much smaller than the package in which they are contained. So, if the glob doesn't always cover the entire heatspreader, it generally doesn't need to.

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

dante399 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 01:42:08 GMT

I'm slightly confused. Arctic Silver appears to be an actual brand but I think other companies are making products called arctic silver as well?

blob and squish

pcmark — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 01:35:26 GMT

i do not disagree with your response in the purpose of thermal compound. this is a method for applying it. when it is only applied to the center of the processor it definately does not always cover the entire surface area. if you look at processors that have been installed using the blob and squish method, the circle or spread of the compound is not always covering as much as it should. using this method will distribute a thin layer and ensures that all surfaces are sufficiently filled/covered and that there is not too much applied.

to each his own

Re: Alt method for applying thermal compound/paste

TheBMan — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:12:02 GMT

I think a lot of people are missing the point of what thermal compound is for. It's not an intermediary layer or a heat transfer accellerant. In fact, if there is too much of it, it can actually act as an insulator between the processor and the heatsink. Though they may seem flat and smooth, the surfaces of the processor heatspreader and the heatsink are actually rife with defects and nicks and scratches. The purpose of thermal compound is to fill in those defects, so that air isn't in them, as air is one of the best insulators there is.

Heat travels quickest by conduction, however air can only move heat by radiation or convection. Convection isn't possible without air currents, and radiation is inherantly inefficient, thus air is an incredibly bad thing to be between a heatsink and its processor. Thus, we use a substance like thermal compound to take the place of the air. Scraping a thin layer over the surface of the processor or heatsink will not do an adequate job of that. In fact, if you leave even a small part uncovered, there may not be enough compound to fill the gap once the heatsink is fitted on. This is why it is best to dab a fair amount in the center (or along a central line) and allow the heatsink itself to fill its gaps as it is pressed tight against the processor.

To recap: Thermal compound is an insulator when compared to the metals directly touching. It's only purpose is to take the place of air in the defects on the two faces of the metal. Thus, it is far better to use a small, small amount and allow the heatsink to distribute it by pressing it down.

Alt method for applying thermal compound/paste

pcmark — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:55:19 GMT

I have used a different method for applying thermal compound/paste through the years. I found that the best way (in my opinion) is to spread the compound on the heatsink as opposed to the processor. Using this method provides for a nice even spread with no air bubbles. You can easily see the thickness the compound is actually applied as opposed to just "squishing" a blob of compound on the processor. Here's the process:

Clean the processor and heatsink with appropriate cleaner. Be sure the cleaning wipe is only moist, not dripping wet.
Wait for components to dry completely.
Apply a "blob" of thermal compound/paste to the heatsink (not too much, now).
Spread the compound with a smooth surface (credit card works good) so that it will cover the entire surface area of the processor (no more).
Place the heatsink firmly on the processor (try not to move it) and mount it.

Some of the non-standard/stock heatsinks may be a little more difficult to install, but this method is fool proof. Just be sure to keep the heatsink firmly in position while mounting it. If it slides around, you are messing up the nice even pasting job you worked hard for (all 30 sec of work).

-Mark

oops

pcmark — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:41:55 GMT

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

Gametech — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:00:32 GMT

1. You can put a large layer on and let the grease "fill out" on the chip but I've had the best results when putting a lot less on there. When I first got into computer building I used to buy the Athlon chips with the little square of thermal paste pre-applied and just plop that on the CPU. It worked ok but I never overclocked or anything, my temps were average. Then I purchased an after market cooler so it forced me to re-grease the chip with some Arctic Silver (I researched it) and I gouped it on just like AMD. Well it didn't perform as well as I thought, so I took it back out and applied a paper thin layer across the chip. It was about 10 degrees cooler after that.

2. The metal covering on the chips is to provide a level conductive surface and protect the core components. Basically, it's like a tiny pot/pan turned upside down and instead of heating it up to cook the inside by heating the bottom, it's trying to disapate heat away from the inside by cooling the bottom.

3. Non-curing, yeah it will stay soft and somewhat wet. Some thermal compounds get hard like glue as time and heat is applied.

4. There are plenty of other types of Thermal paste but Arctic Silver and the Zalaman pastes seem to be not only the most popular but also give the best results (makes sense). Most heatsinks you buy (retail) will have a small pouch with some grease in it and it's usually a generic brand grease that works fine. The grease itself can make a difference but I think it's more about the application and HS/Fan you use with the cpu.

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

jalexhrovat — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:49:16 GMT

Well, I'm not too sure about other brands...but Arctic Silver is a 99.99% silver compound that probably has the best heat conductive properties over any other brand out there. I'm pretty sure there are other thermal pastes out there that have just as much silver it them..and they're probably just as good.

The only reason why people throw Arctic Silver out there all the time, is because it the most widely used and trusted.

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

dante399 — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:02:43 GMT

Are there any other decent typres of grease besides for the Zalman grease and arctic silver?

Also, what is arctic silver?

Re: Thermal grease applications for 754/939/AM2/77

dante399 — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:48:39 GMT

I agree with what you're saying. Is there a disadvantage to putting a thin layer over the entire chip (as you did) instead of putting a slightly thicker layer in the center and letting the heatsink spread it out so that it is as thin as the layer you would have applied?

This is a link to Zalman's grease (the kind you use): http://zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=198

Under the spefications it says it is non-curing. Does this mean it will never dry up?