how to apply heatsink compund

[rasell]

whats the best way to apply thermal compound, using a finger? or is there a special tool or procedure?

[BigBlue66]

Hey,

Bare fingers are generally not recommended because of body oils. Best way to spread the stuff is to use a plastic sandwich baggy. Stick your finger in it and then use your finger to spread the compound.

Cheers,

BB 66

------------------
This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

"From up on the roof top there came such a clamor, I ran to the window and threw up"
-- Tommy Smothers

[YODA74]

take a look here http://www.overclockers.com/tips692/

[Whyzman]

Yoda, nice link!

mjc recommended that I consider lapping my heat sink, which means that I'll be reapplying thermal compound...I'll definitely give this a go! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[BigBlue66]

Hmmm, that's not the way I learned how to do it. With the method I use, a person first removes any factory pad from the heatsink (I use Goo Gone), then clean that up with Isopropyl Alcohol. Then, using the sandwich baggy trick, rub some compound into the heatsink in a slightly bigger area than the CPU core, making sure you get the area where the core will come in contact with. Rub the hell out of compound, so as to work it into the microscopic pits and valleys. Then, lightly wipe it off, but don't use any cleaning agent this time. A coffee filter works pretty good and is lint free. Ok, so when that's done, lay it aside. Then, do the same thing to the CPU core, and work that goop in good, only this time leave a small film of it on the core. Install heatsink and marvel at your amazingly low CPU temps. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Just another way of doing it I reckon. To each his own. Works good for me though.

Just seemed to me in that in link that Yoda provided, there was way too much compound on the heatsink, both in thickness and generally too much in area. When that stuff gets hot, it's gonna make a mess.

Cheers,

BB 66

------------------
This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

"From up on the roof top there came such a clamor, I ran to the window and threw up"
-- Tommy Smothers

[ranchdog]

Realize everyone has thier way of doing things.....

I have to disagree with the way that fellow did his thermal compound.
That strip of goo was too wide and too long. And looked to be too deep.
He's gonna wind up with excess compound making it's way to some of the
bridges on the CPU, then it will fail to boot.

I would much rather just put a small dab on the chip-die itself and then
ease a business card accross it. When there is a thin layer of
compound and I cannot read the #'s and letters on the chip-die it's time
for assembly.

Keep in mind.... The chip-die and the base of the HS/F is supposed to make slight contact with each other to start with. Thermal Compound
is used to "fill" any irregularities between the two.

Luck.

------------------
....How long is a minute... depends on which side of the Bathroom door you're on. ......
..........

[Nooyawkah]

This was recommended to me:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

[BigBlue66]

Yeah, that's where my advice up top was coming from. Works really well for me. I could do it in my sleep now. Nothin to it.

------------------
This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

"Once I thought I made a mistake, but turns out it was the other guy."
Myself