Thermal Paste question

[_SomeOne_]

I just received my thermal paste and im not 100% sure how to apply it.

Last time i just put a pea size blob on the middle of the processor and then put my heatsink on.
My brother just put some on yesterday but he used a card to spread it out (thin layer)

Iv looked on the internet and they say never spread it out.. and some say spread it out.. so i was just wondering what you guys do?

Thanks

 

[MyGodAL3X]

I have heard about the pea size dot in the middle, but then again I am no expert

 

[Yami]

There's various ways of applying it, and they're all fine basically.
There's the pea-sized blob method, where you use the heatsink to press it out.
There's the card-spreading method, where you press it out yourself.
There's the multiple-little-blobs method, which is like the pea-sized blob one but more diffuse - used to make sure you get the edges as well.

I prefer to use the third one - that guarantees there'll be no gaps, which there might be if you're not perfect with the card-spreading method, and you're more likely to get the whole area (no uncovered edges).

 

[_SomeOne_]

I think im gonna go with the card method.. that way i can see where its going.. cause i could put too on method #1 and #3 and it could go over the edge.. thats what happened last time and it wasnt even spreaded every where

thanks

 

[MindoverMaster]

I always use the grain of rice way. Right down the center. I never had a problem.

 

[Slaymate]

What brand of paste did you buy? Different pastes come in various viscosities and the application method used can make a difference. Arctic Silver 5 is the only paste I would spread with a card. With most pastes I use the third method listed above.

 

[_SomeOne_]

tuniq tx-2

Tuniq TX-2 is the best thermal grease

 

[Yami]

Agreed, that's the consensus of this forum I bought some TX-2 yesterday.

 

[ravenousj]

yea

Spread evenly with card for cooling uniformity

 

[MindoverMaster]

I use the grain of rice with my MX-2.

I used to use the card method, but its easier to put a blob.