View Full Version : Thermal Paste
PeterStoba
06-11-07, 15:28
I understan you leave it on when applying fan to cpu, but i read in micromart magazine you wipe it off so it gets into the miroscopic holes for better contact.
Just wanted to clarify, is this correct?
Yeah, for arctic silver, thats right. I dont ever use anything else, so i'm not sure.
Check this out, for full instructions for all the arctic silver products:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm
:)
I understan you leave it on when applying fan to cpu, but i read in micromart magazine you wipe it off so it gets into the miroscopic holes for better contact.
Just wanted to clarify, is this correct?
i would of thought wiping it off would contaminate it with dirt, small fragments of cloth etc etc, ive always put enough of to give a sufficient spread when the Heatsink is placed on top. :)
i just put it on and spread it and then stick it on
The idea is that direct metal to metal contact is far better than anything. Thermal paste is made to be a better conductor than the air that fills the small imperfections on a cpu/heatsink.
In an ideal world, to get the best heat transfer away from the cpu, the surfaces would be perfectly smooth, and so contact would be perfect between the two and thermal paste wouldnt be needed. But there are always going to be imperfections, and thats where thermal compound comes in. Its designed to fill the small imperfections as it is a better conductor of heat than air. But, it will never be as good as direct metal to metal contact and thats why it becomes an insulator if too much is used! You wipe off the majority of it, basically to give you as much direct metal to metal contact as possible. If that makes sense? :lol:
PeterStoba
06-11-07, 16:17
I get it, you said it's the case with Arctic Silver only though? or all thermal paste, and does it come with the CPU or do i need to buy some
Ideally any excess will be squeezed away and out towards the edges of the heatsink.
To clarify put a small amount on the cpu / heatsink then "rub it in" like polish then wipe it off. Then put a small amount on the cpu as per the instructions aaron linked to.
NEVER put it on the heatsink / cpu and wipe it all off and think that the residue left behind is enough to sufficiently conduct the heat away, unless your cpu and heatsink are perfectly flat (highly unlikely) it wont be.
What are you guys suggesting rubbing it with? Not your fingers I hope!
You wipe off the majority of it
Yeah, please note the word in bold! ;)
And I usually use something like a plastic bag. Not one like a carrier bag - but something like a sandwich bag (unused..! ;)) Ive never had a problem using that method, as long as the bags are clean!
Just clarifying ;) though wiping the majority off can be a bit hit and miss, the paste needs to be in a specific place, ie over the core.
I tend to use a lint free cloth.
PeterStoba
06-11-07, 17:27
From what i've read, i can use the stuff that comes on the cpu already, anyone know if they do? Never upgraded a cpu before.
The idea is that direct metal to metal contact is far better than anything. Thermal paste is made to be a better conductor than the air that fills the small imperfections on a cpu/heatsink.
In an ideal world, to get the best heat transfer away from the cpu, the surfaces would be perfectly smooth, and so contact would be perfect between the two and thermal paste wouldnt be needed. But there are always going to be imperfections, and thats where thermal compound comes in. Its designed to fill the small imperfections as it is a better conductor of heat than air. But, it will never be as good as direct metal to metal contact and thats why it becomes an insulator if too much is used! You wipe off the majority of it, basically to give you as much direct metal to metal contact as possible. If that makes sense? :lol:
You ever thought about making your own Science Tv Show?
lol
From what i've read, i can use the stuff that comes on the cpu already, anyone know if they do? Never upgraded a cpu before.
Cpu's don't come with thermal paste applied, its usually the heatsink that has it applied. If you are getting a new heatsink and not using the stock one then that might not have it pre applied in which case you will need to use some arctic silver 5 or similar.
Yeah, please note the word in bold! ;)
And I usually use something like a plastic bag. Not one like a carrier bag - but something like a sandwich bag (unused..! ;)) Ive never had a problem using that method, as long as the bags are clean!
wouldn't bags create lots of static?
use that foil bag thats comes with you buy a hard drive.
wouldn't bags create lots of static?
Ive never had a problem.. but yeah I guess it could!?
You ever thought about making your own Science Tv Show?
lol
I'm just here to educate ;)
lol, whats tomorrows lesson?
How to make Thermal Paste?
1) Aquire mother/girlfriend/sister etc jewellery.
2) Grind until powdery.
3) Add healthy dose of marge.
4) Mix vigorously until a paste like substance is formed.
5) Spread sparingly on target area.
1) Aquire mother/girlfriend/sister etc jewellery.
2) Grind until powdery.
3) Add healthy dose of marge.
4) Mix vigorously until a paste like substance is formed.
5) Spread sparingly on target area.
Are we still on about making thermal paste here or something else ;) 8)
well, whatever floats your boat really. ;)
1) Aquire mother/girlfriend/sister etc jewellery.
2) Grind until powdery.
3) Add healthy dose of marge.
4) Mix vigorously until a paste like substance is formed.
5) Spread sparingly on target area.
Mmmmmmmmmmm grinded Jewelry *drools like homer*
Mmmmmmmmmmm grinded Jewelry *drools like homer*
lol:lol:
Please can anyone help with this paste dilemma?
My intel 4500 core 2 processor came with a heatsink fan that already has 3 strips of grey/silver paste applied,and im not sure if i should just use it as is,or remove the stuff and use some arctic silver5 insted ? would it be worth the hassle?
I would say most definitely yes, it would be worth the hassle!! :)
cheers Aaron :)
now i just have to try and wait patiently for my arctic silver to arrive,hopefully the postie will bring it tomorrow.
Or i might just get building and replace the paste tomorrow 8)
It's not worth the hassle unless you have an aftermarket cooler - intel won't give you something that's truly dreadful on the stock cooler...
You might get a couple of degrees temperature drop by changing to AS5 - but you'll get about 20 degrees drop with a decent HSF.
To be honest tho, its not really a 'hassle' is it? 5-10 mins, tops to put a better thermal paste on there, and give yourself potentially lower temps. And in my experience (and many others), you are likely to see more than just a couple of degrees difference. It wont be huge, but it will make a difference.
To be honest tho, its not really a 'hassle' is it? 5-10 mins, tops to put a better thermal paste on there, and give yourself potentially lower temps. And in my experience (and many others), you are likely to see more than just a couple of degrees difference. It wont be huge, but it will make a difference.
£5 for the AS and it voids your intel warranty too - I'd only do it if I was upgrading the heatsink...
Fair enough.. I'd do it anyway.. ;)
I hear chip fat works well
Are we still on about making thermal paste here or something else ;) 8)
lol
Why not remove the IHS (integrated heat spreader)
http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/sororneja/IHS%20Removal/Picture%20003.jpg
http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/sororneja/IHS%20Removal/Picture%20007.jpg
http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/sororneja/IHS%20Removal/Picture%20020.jpg
and do what? watch the CPU burn?
and do what? watch the CPU burn?
Nope - it massively reduces temperatures - and I mean massively
People used to do that to some older cpus and it used to give them better cooling in some instances.
it offers better heat transfer!
really? or are you guys messing with my head lol
Nope - it massively reduces temperatures - and I mean massively
I Concur :D
really? or are you guys messing with my head lol
No, its true..
http://www.overclock3d.net/articles.php?type=3&id=46&page=1&desc=removing_your_heatspreader
well then why do Intel and AMD bit these cr@ppy things on then
As people will rub there grubby fingers all over the interiors and make a mess (ooooh err)
As people will rub there grubby fingers all over the interiors and make a mess (ooooh err)
lol true.
well then why do Intel and AMD bit these cr@ppy things on then
The very first 1st paragraph of that article I linked to.
Remember back in the day all CPU's had their core exposed? This caused many problems, from novice users cracking their cores, to hardcore overclockers killing their CPU's with unorthodox cooling solutions. The Intel Pentium 3 was the first mainstream CPU to feature the IHS. Following that, was the Pentium 4, which included an IHS. Intel's IHS' were mounted the same way AMD K8 CPU's IHS are, with some epoxy and thermal paste. This caused many problems, because sometimes the IHS would not make proper contact with the core, and temperatures would be abnormally high, hence hindering overclockability. So to tackle the problem Intel started soldering their IHS' to their cores.
I think this is an example of an exposed core!
edit piccy not working :(
http://www.ixbt.com/cpu/amd/athlon-xp3200/axp-3200-front.jpg
http://images.tomshardware.com/2003/02/10/barton/barton.jpg
http://www.wasanderes.de/meineex/amdbartonfull.jpghttp://www.ixbt.com/cpu/amd/athlon-xp3200/axp-3200-front.jpg
The very first 1st paragraph of that article I linked to.
i dont read you see :p
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