Best technique for applying thermal paste?

[Mordred]

Tomorrow my new components arrive and I wanted to ask how I should be applying the thermal paste to my Q6600. I think I heard that a vertical line is for dual core, and a horizontal line is for quad core....with my old pc I had just applied the thermal paste to the entire surface of the CPU in an even layer. Which is the best way?

Not sure if it really matters, but I got the Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Paste
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

 

[veedubfreak]

apply a thin line across the words on the middle of the cpu.

 

[Mordred]

Like that?

 

[IBM/PS1]

Yup.

No need to spread it or anything

 

[Preacher]

I put a dot in the middle , either way works

 

[Mordred]

Thanks guys.

 

[veedubfreak]

The dot method is for a dual core. Line for quad core.

 

[CrazeD]

I put a dot in the middle , either way works

Indeed, just a dot. Otherwise you're just wasting thermal grease.

 

[ricanflow]

How big of a dot you guys put? Im gonna install a new cpu in a couple days.

 

[veedubfreak]

dual core = grain of rice
quad core = thin line.