Best thermal paste testing results

Attachment 2696

Probably best to go with the Thermalright Chill Factor 3. The 3 Coollabratory solutions are liquid metal, will destroy aluminum, stain copper and removal of it from your CPU will also remove the printing, such as model number, stepping, etc.

So, considering how well a thermal paste performs is highly dependent upon proper application, is this really something that can be relied upon for the average Joe? :)

so what is the proper application, the only thing I ever remember reading is a thin coat.

Personally i just put a pea-sized ball in the middle of the CPU. The pressure from the heatsink spreads it out. But I'm guessing other people have different ways of doing it that also works just fine.

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Originally Posted by shiva

so what is the proper application, the only thing I ever remember reading is a thin coat.

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My answer would be in function of the thermal boundary layer.

I always take that "pea size amount" and spread it very gently and evenly with the back of a kitchen table knife. (Yeah, Kim just loves that.) :D That's left over from back in the day when Arctic Silver came out and was all the rage. Yeah, the first formula. I think that was original Pentium days. So maybe there is a more preferred method these days? haha

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Originally Posted by DrPop

I always take that "pea size amount" and spread it very gently and evenly with the back of a kitchen table knife. (Yeah, Kim just loves that.) :D That's left over from back in the day when Arctic Silver came out and was all the rage. Yeah, the first formula. I think that was original Pentium days. So maybe there is a more preferred method these days? haha

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ya know you can get a kitchen table knife for a dime at any second hand store. just add it to your computer tool box. makes for a happier Kim! :)

This is a pretty good video. He demonstrates the different methods of applying the paste.

https://youtu.be/-hNgFNH7zhQ

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Originally Posted by scole of TSBT

This is a pretty good video. He demonstrates the different methods of applying the paste.

https://youtu.be/-hNgFNH7zhQ

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good vid, thanks steve.

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Originally Posted by shiva

ya know you can get a kitchen table knife for a dime at any second hand store. just add it to your computer tool box. makes for a happier Kim! :)

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Haha! :)) Yeah, that's not a bad idea, actually. :D

Here's some links to other videos. It's worth watching several videos.

https://youtu.be/8rn0BqMyXBM

https://youtu.be/1Uw3o00Chi0

https://youtu.be/rjF5jabXRCY


I think the pea method is most commonly advised method to use but there are good points about using the best method based on the particular type of compound.

There are some points several agree on:
1. If you're using metallic based compound, be neat and keep it off the mobo. I've seen some applications where it nearly ran into the socket.
2. It depends on the type of compound. Read the manufactures application instructions. The pea method is the most common, but double check the instructions.