Replacing CPU fan and heat sink: Thermal paste/pad question.

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

@Ghot

Okay, you win. I'll use the paste (and a flat-bottomed glass maybe).

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

Thanks, @bobkn. I'll take that advice too. Paste it is,

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

Ghot · Jun 4, 2024

The Kryonaut thermal paste was specially developed for the extremely demanding applications and the highest demands of the overlocking community. Kryonaut is also recommended as a top product for critical cooling systems in the industrial sector.

Especially for overclocking
Excellent thermal conductivity
No curing
High long-term stability
Not electrically conductive

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease Paste - 1.0 Gram - Newegg.com

Buy Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease Paste - 1.0 Gram with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

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Ghot · Jun 4, 2024

Wisewiz said:
@Ghot

Okay, you win. I'll use the paste (and a flat-bottomed glass maybe).

You're kidding about the glass, right?
In the video he uses the glass to "simulate" the heatsink as you apply pressure.
Glass, unlike heatsinks is clear, so you can "see" how the paste spreads.
You just put a large pea sized blob in the center, then attach the heatsink, and tighten it down.

Like this...
This should be close to actual size...

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

No, I was thinking that just after I finish emptying my favorite beer glass, I could put it in sevice as a paste spreader. Nice and cool, and only a tiny bit wet. I'm sure that'll work just fine. :zany:

jvickers · Jun 4, 2024

Wisewiz said:
I've got springs, and I'll be carefull to tighten the bolts enough, but not too much

That's the trick - enough, but not too much. I wish there were a guide for how tight to tighten the bolts. A CPU bolt torque wrench or something!

Ghot · Jun 4, 2024

This is an i5-8400 without it's "hat" (Integrated Heat Spreader).
As I'm sure you realize... the black part is the chip. The rest is just a circuit board.

And here's a 9700K delidded (I couldn't find a pic of just a 9700)...

This is why just a blob of thermal compound works. The pressure from the heatsink will spread the thermal compound as shown in the video.

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

Jason, my theory is that if I study (and maybe even measure) the factory (the one that built it) compression of the springs and the distance between the tops and the casing, I'll be okay duplicating that.

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

Ghot said:
This is why just a blob of thermal compound works. The pressure from the heatsink will spread the thermal compound as shown in the video.

Okay. I'm going with the "centered blob and affix the sink and adjust the bolts" procedure. In the absence of little glass squares, of course.

Thanks for all the help.

antspants · Jun 4, 2024

Wisewiz said:
Okay. I'm going with the "centered blob and affix the sink and adjust the bolts" procedure. In the absence of little glass squares, of course.

Thanks for all the help.

Dan, as inviting as it looks, don’t lick the thermal paste. It isn’t Pâté.

Advice from a friend.

- Sinto.

antspants · Jun 4, 2024

This video: Christopher Flannigan (yes the surname gives you a hint to the accent) tests thermal paste application with about six different application methods. As he mentions, many or most 12th gen CPU’s are a rectangular shape as apposed to the old square. This is a consideration when applying paste. The old method of a dot of paste in the centre isn’t really any longer the best practice.

As I realise that you have already had much, good advice, I don’t want to be left out. I demand your attention

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

antspants said:
I demand your attention

You got it. You had it. Watched the whole thing and hardly understood a word. Old ears have trouble with such things. But I got it. Thanks.

antspants said:
don’t lick the thermal paste

Shucks. Somebody online said it tasted like strawberries. Guess I'll pass on the taste test.

Meebers · Jun 4, 2024

Ghot said:
Amazon.ca

Dang it. Used your link and ended up ordering a bottle cutter.

antspants · Jun 4, 2024

So the x formation of the thermal paste gave the best average temps for the CPU @ 66.3

I’d be using really thin lines though. Spills of thermal paste outside of the CPU is messy, hard to clean after the fact and not a good practice

Ghot · Jun 4, 2024

Wisewiz said:
Okay. I'm going with the "centered blob and affix the sink and adjust the bolts" procedure. In the absence of little glass squares, of course.

Thanks for all the help.

When you tighten the bolts, always do them caddy-corner, like so...

Like... two turns on each screw in the order shown... then repeat till they are all tightened.
It doesn't matter which screw you start with... just make sure to follow the caddy-corner pattern.

That way the thermal compound will spread evenly, and you won't accidentally crush the CPU.

Probably the most important thing, is once you set the heatsink down... don't lift it.
If you do you'll create air bubbles, which will lessen the efficiency of the thermal compound.

If for any reason you have to remove the heatsink... re-clean the CPU and heatsink, and re-apply the thermal compound.

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

That's funny. I use "kitty cornered" for that.

Anyway, the graphic in my post #23 above shows the kitty/caddy cornered tightening order. Thanks again, mate.

And I'm going to use the X formation.

Ghot · Jun 4, 2024

IMO, the blob is better.... but geeks have been arguing about which pattern is best, for 30 years. LOL

The only thing you have to "cover" is the area of the chip under the Integrated Heat Spreader (the hat).

Wisewiz · Jun 4, 2024

How about a small blob (less than pea-size) and a thin X? Cover all of the bases?

antspants · Jun 4, 2024

Wisewiz said:
How about a small blob (less than pea-size) and a thin X? Cover all of the bases?

That would probably be the same as the 5 pea.

If you ask “Intel” it will show you to use the pea dot application.

If you look at the temps Christopher showed, to be honest, there wasn’t really a noticeable difference. What is important through in my opinion as mentioned, is to try and avoide spill from the edges after applying the heatsink.

Next time I do it, I think I am going to use the X. The pea doesn’t cover enough space. I wonder how 3 peas would go? Then I also like the 5 pea formation. But… it’s about how much is used really, more than how... I would guess.

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