Applying Thermal Grease

MixedLogik

MixedLogik

New Member
Ok Guys, I just bought new thermal grease from TigerDirect.com. (OCZTechnology Ultra 5+ Silver Ultra High Density Polysynthetic Thermal Compound)

As I recently found out that you need to reapply thermal paster when you exppose a processor and heatsink fan to air and break the bond.
Since most of the stuff online such as tutorials and videos are old and crappy, I decided my best source was you guys since alot of you have experiance with the new stuff and know the best way to do it.

My question is, What is the best way to clean a heatsink and processor, because the AMD videos online say don't use any liquid chemicals, just a basic wipe. I really don't want to spend anymore money, so If you guys could give me some suggestions on previous ways you have done this than this would be great.

Also, Second Question. How much thermal compound do you put on the processor. I know it's not alot, and i think it is about the size of a dime.

Thanks for all the help in advance guys, I really hope I can get this done on Christmas when I get my new Motherboard, Case, PSU Sleeving Kit, and Round Cables.

Chris :)
 
To clean it off, use high-purity (like 91%) isopropyl alcohol. If you don't have any and don't want to buy any, you can use rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol), but it is not ideal.

I'm not an expert on application...I've only done it myself a few times, but I was using arctic silver, which is pretty much the generally accepted best thermal compound among us. I'm sure the instructions on the arctic silver website are still relevant for your thermal paste, so check them out here: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm
 
Thanks Computermaineack. I have alcohol rubbing whipes. Do you think that will work? Or should I go buy 91% isopropyl alcohol? Also how much does isopropyl alcohol cost?
 
Actually, denatured alcohol is the best. Isopropyl still has water mixed in that can make it leave a residue. 91% isopropyl is 9% water, while denatured alcohol is <0.1% water.

And isopropyl and rubbing alcohol are the same thing. But there are different purity's of it. You can get between 50% to 91% pure.

And no, rubbing wipes will not work well.
 
Ok, I found Online that most Pharmacy's and Drug Stores carry 70%, 91% and Denatured alcohol. I will probably go pick up something at CVS sometime this week. What should I get?
Also I found a bottle of Isopropyl 70%, should I use it? (It is about 1 year old)
 
Re: Thermal Paste;

Just a word of advice, take the 'how to apply TP' website instructions and throw them out the window. Yes, a dab in the center is nice, but most likely, your entire HS makes contact with your entire CPU heatshield. With my Pentium D (another 'oven'), I applied a thin layer over the entire CPU heatshild, THEN placed a small dab in the center. (I also tried both ways the website instructed as well beforehand, to test the entire range of options.) In the end, doing it the way I just described yielded the lowest Temps by a very considerable amount (6*C difference between the next closest) in the end (all three ways were given a break-in period).

As far as removing the old stuff, really, for most applications, you can wipe it off. Just make sure you get all of it and rub with a coffee filter (or like media) until no grayness appears on it. That being said, I'm OCD to the max with computer stuff, and only use rubbing alcohol.
 
i've applied thermal paste many times and i never use any alcohol or anything. i get water and a lint-free cloth and wipe it off. i've asked many tech-freaks and it makes sense. water may leave behind "impurities" that are microscopic but unless you're leaving visible flecks of something then you're never going to notice any temp difference or anything. also there is such thing as too much thermal paste. i generally put about 2 grains of rice-sized dabs in the center, and press down with the heatsink so it spreads out throughout the whole top of the cpu.
 
Ok, I've decided to go with the 91% Ispropyl alcohol, Because it is cheap and easy to use. Thanks to all that helped and Im going to add about the size of a BB of thermal compound. Thanks alot guys, I really appreciate the help.

Also, They said to rub in a upward motion and change cloths frequently to avoid smeering on AMD's website, is that true?
 
I just put about the size of a grain of rice and use a credit card to spread it as thin and even as possible. Its to fill in the imperfections not as a layer
 
So I'm going to put about the size of a grain of rice, and spread it with a credit card on the processor? I thought you just applied thermal paste and put HSF on, and wiggle it around? Or do I apply thermal paste and then spread it out over the processor?
 
no do not spread it with a card, that is pointless and can spread it too thin. just press the heatsink down on it firmly and it will spread it out itself.
 
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