Just figured might be some great info out there from fellow crunchers.
I'll post what works for me - and you do the same. There seems to be so many "right" ways to do it!
Heatsink - clean - strongest rubbing alcohol - not the normal stuff - that you can find. Same with CPU - clean it up. Don't waste money on "special" cleaners - pretty much the same stuff.
Put a plastic bag on your finger - rub a very small amount of TC into the contact area of the HS. Lightly remove with a paper towel (it should be hazy looking).
For the CPU - pretty much the same process - but do not remove with paper towel. Going for full coverage and thin - make sure on both the HS and CPU to rub it in nice and good. Don't worry about it being "too thin" - if it is rubbed in and fully covered - you are fine. Too thick is NOT good!
Assemble - correctly. Reading some of the instructions they give is...a challenge to say the least. If it doesn't make sense or the CPU doesn't seem to be making good, solid contact - revisit - do not power the system up if there are doubts!
Use quality components, of course. I use Zalman heatsinks, but there are a lot of them out there that are good as well. I still use AS5 - have for years.
Also - well - some of the manufacturers will say to just put a pile of TC in the middle of the proc and clamp it down. Really? Too much - and it spews out - and it can be conductive. Too little - and I am buying a new proce...wait...I figured out why they say that - never mind!
Please post your method and component selection. This is still applicable to those using water - except you are cheating.. <laughing>