How do u determine the amount of thermal compound to apply, and also how long after applying compound can you get accurate temperature readings for the cpu ?
You only need a very thin layer to remove any air gaps between the heatsink and processor. Many people use Arctic Silver 5 and swear by it. You should be able to get accurate readings right away but your readings are only as good as what is used to record the temps. I get different readings from within my bios and the thermal probe I use. I just split the differance with the two and move along.
Just a drop the size of a pea. You want to cover the thermal exchange pad evenly, but with no glops. Use the edge of a piece of paper or a credit card, etc, to spread it around.