Applying Thermal Grease/Compound

[Stigmata]

Just a few questions.

How much should I put on?
Should I clean the heatsink and CPU of any old compound beforehand?
If so, what should I use to clean it?
Does it matter if the grease gets on something that's not the top of the CPU core?

I should probably apply some new compound, the old compound is easily two years old.

 

[bryanf445]

Ok...

1st put on about the size of a rice grain on the actual cpu.

2. You must clean the heatsink/cpu with rubbing alchohol (preferably anything over %70 isopryl rubbing alchohol)

3.Use the alchohol but clean it with something like cotton swobs, or use coffee filters (thats what i use)

4.It can be bad if you get the paste on something other then the cpu, just make sure to clean it off properly.

I hope I was a help to you.

 

[duffers20]

Here is a link to a guide to applying arctic silver compound to 2 types of processor with small and large contact area's. its a good guide to follow with pretty descriptive explanations and good images showing what to do.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

 

[Glirk Dient]

DO NOT USE COTTON SWABS!!! Anything with lint can get caught in the microscopic holes in it. Use alchohol and the edge of a credit card to scrap the old stuff off.

 

[Dynasty]

simply make sure when cleaning it with tissue, credit card etc that it all comes off, and keep using a clean side when wiping.

when applying it, put on a blob in the centre and then simply use your finger (touch the inside of your case to get rid of any static which has the ability to short the cards CPU) and spread it across the chip evenly. add in small amounts if necessary afterward. cover the whole thing, even the lip where the CPU rises up.
when putting the cooler over the top, make sure it doesnt slide around. try and get it on right first time, or you'll simply push the grease around and you might aswell of not bothered.

hope this helps....oh and if your card stuffs up, you wont be able to send it back as you are in violation of the guarantee...so be careful...dont want a £150-300 paper weight now do you?

 

[duffers20]

then simply use your finger

Yeh thats fine aslong as you put your finger in a plastic bag or something, shouldn't really use your bare finger to do it.

 

[Asus]

Yeah hand oils are not good to put on there. I use a lint free cloth and acetone (polish remover). I use my finger in a plastic bag to rub it into the heatsink. Size of a grain or rice is best. Too much will make cooling worse.

 

[Stigmata]

Thanks for the help. Now, to find some polish remover...

 

[bryanf445]

Yeah hand oils are not good to put on there. I use a lint free cloth and acetone (polish remover). I use my finger in a plastic bag to rub it into the heatsink. Size of a grain or rice is best. Too much will make cooling worse.

I just press the heatsink in and rotate it a bit to smear mine in.

 

[sinkoman]

Well, after reading through that guide at arcticsilver.com, looks like i'll be needing to reapply mine

I did almost everything... WRONG!

I took the HSF off once to see if it looked good,

I left a couple of empty spaces on the CPU (which is why I took it off of the HSF, to make sure that the HSF's grease would cover the spaces)

I used a well touched (as in handled by human hands ALLOT) gift card to spread the stuff,

And to top it all off, I spreaded the grease, rather than allow the HSF to spread the grease with pressure.



Ok, now I have a question, how long should I let my core out to dry after cleaning it?

And will a bottle of 70% Issopropyl Rubbing Alchohol from longs work?

 

[bryanf445]

Well, after reading through that guide at arcticsilver.com, looks like i'll be needing to reapply mine

I did almost everything... WRONG!

I took the HSF off once to see if it looked good,

I left a couple of empty spaces on the CPU (which is why I took it off of the HSF, to make sure that the HSF's grease would cover the spaces)

I used a well touched (as in handled by human hands ALLOT) gift card to spread the stuff,

And to top it all off, I spreaded the grease, rather than allow the HSF to spread the grease with pressure.



Ok, now I have a question, how long should I let my core out to dry after cleaning it?

And will a bottle of 70% Issopropyl Rubbing Alchohol from longs work?

I usually reaplly the paste right after cleaning it off good. And the 70% should do fine, though 90% would be better

 

[psyno]

Thanks for the help. Now, to find some polish remover...

Isopropyl alcohol should be less than a buck for half a liter at your local drugstore in the great white north.