Best Thermal Paste Application Methods

jmke · 21st April 2008, 10:17

If there's one thing our recent 33-way TIM comparison article has taught us, it's how the advice handed-out for free in discussion forums can often times be completely wrong. After we wrote that popular article, many enthusiasts argued that our method of spreading a thin layer of TIM with a latex glove (or finger cover) was not the best way to distribute the interface material. Most answers collected from both the hardware websites and enthusiast community claimed that you should use a single drop "about the size of a pea". Well, we tried that advice, and it turns out that maybe the community isn't as keen as they thought. The example image below is of a few frozen peas beside a small BB size drop of OCZ Freeze TIM. The image beside it is of the same socket-478 cooler two hours later after we completed testing.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.ph...170&Item id=1

21st April 2008, 15:38

I get dissapointed again

jmke · 21st April 2008, 15:43

one day

Sidney · 21st April 2008, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutar

I get dissapointed again

It will make tomorrow better.

21st April 2008, 18:16

I am now teased =0

21st April 2008, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutar

I get dissapointed again

Why is that? Please let me know how I can improve future articles.

geoffrey · 21st April 2008, 22:42

Rutar was referring to this one too: Applying Thermal Grease ~ Anything but the "razor blade" works well

21st April 2008, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffrey

Rutar was referring to this one too: Applying Thermal Grease ~ Anything but the "razor blade" works well

I think there were 3 articles already that just didn't compared which one performs best.

21st April 2008, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutar

I hoped this was going to be the second coming of christ with temp readings and everything including the 2 line Quadcore method. I'm so disapointed.

If you're waiting for that magic method, than you'll be sorely disappointed. The term "best" in relation to thermal paste application is like saying there's a best way to fly a kite. Your ultimate goal is to get maximum metal to metal contact, with as little TIM in-between as possible. Since every CPU and cooler have vastly different finishes to them, there just won't be a "one way is best".

21st April 2008, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Das Capitolin

If you're waiting for that magic method, than you'll be sorely disappointed. The term "best" in relation to thermal paste application is like saying there's a best way to fly a kite. Your ultimate goal is to get maximum metal to metal contact, with as little TIM in-between as possible. Since every CPU and cooler have vastly different finishes to them, there just won't be a "one way is best".

test every method with every CPU cooler type then

21st April 2008, 10:17	#1
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	Best Thermal Paste Application Methods If there's one thing our recent 33-way TIM comparison article has taught us, it's how the advice handed-out for free in discussion forums can often times be completely wrong. After we wrote that popular article, many enthusiasts argued that our method of spreading a thin layer of TIM with a latex glove (or finger cover) was not the best way to distribute the interface material. Most answers collected from both the hardware websites and enthusiast community claimed that you should use a single drop "about the size of a pea". Well, we tried that advice, and it turns out that maybe the community isn't as keen as they thought. The example image below is of a few frozen peas beside a small BB size drop of OCZ Freeze TIM. The image beside it is of the same socket-478 cooler two hours later after we completed testing. http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.ph...170&Item id=1 __________________

21st April 2008, 15:43	#3
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	one day __________________

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21st April 2008, 15:38	#2
Rutar Posts: n/a	I get dissapointed again

21st April 2008, 22:42	#7
geoffrey [M] Reviewer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,127	Rutar was referring to this one too: Applying Thermal Grease ~ Anything but the "razor blade" works well