Hello everyone,

I have a i5-2500k and a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus aftermarket heat sink. I also purchased Arctic Silver.

The web has so many different recommendations for thermal grease applications, from so many different people, it isn't even funny.

The website for Cooler Master has a video, and they SKIP the part where they apply the thermal grease!!! (on purpose?)

If you have personally used this aftermarket heat sink, please detail how you applied the thermal grease.


(Due to using this specific aftermarket heat sink, please respond only if you have experience with this particular brand/model)


Thank you!!

I use the thin line method that Arctic Silver recommends for the i5.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_application_method.html#

You'll need to do it in the right direction to line up with the cores under the spreader.

What about the heat sink? Do you apply that thin line along the CPU and then ALSO thinly apply some over the actual heat sink?

No, just on the cpu itself

 

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The purpose of thermal paste is to fill in the very small lines and crevasses in the machined sink and top of CPU. A very, very thin application is needed to only provide a consistent and uniform bonding of the 2 in order to conduct heat from the CPU to the sink in an efficient manner. Paste will increase heat transfer when used properly, much moreso than using none. Conversely, using too much it will provide insulatory properties and impede heat transfer, making things worse than using none.

 

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Still waiting on my order from UPS.


If the thin line method is done, and none applied directly to the heat sink itself, then shouldn't it become more of an oval shape (the paste) once the heat sink presses down on it? It seems to me it wouldn't cover the entire surface with just a straight line.

Is that right??

The only way it would become an oval is if the line was VERY thin at each end and fatter in the middle, if there is an even line it will spread evenly.

 

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CPU and heatsinks are designed to fit very snugly. Physics would result in even coating.

Btw, if you did not get an aftermarket cooler and plan on using heatsink that came with processor, then you will need cleaner to remove the cheap pad that comes on the bottom of the heatsink.

Even if you do put little too much so long as you get a good close connection, pressure of the heatsink connection will generally push the excess grease out. But then it leaves cake crap on side and is annoying.

You can see after you apply a heatsink, clamp it down and then remove it. You would of course have to clean HS & CPU and reapply. Never use your finger or something with oils/fibers/whatever to spread grease.

 

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Yes, you'll get an oval spread on the CPU and heatsink. That's fine. The pressure of the heatsink usually spreads it out pretty good, but the edges may not get covered and that's fine.

I've done both the small little round "pea" in the middle and the small line method and have never had any heat issues, nor have I ever had a CPU fry on me due to overheating after any length of time. As others said, just don't use too much or you'll end up insulating rather than conducting. And remember to never touch the thermal paste with your bare skin once you've applied it to the CPU as you'll get your body oils mixing into the paste.

 

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