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Active: 1762 users

Thermal paste?

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:44:13
June 12 2011 20:08 GMT
#1
So I just got a new processor, an i5 upgrade from an i3, and I've been wondering is it neccessary to use Thermal paste?

I've been googling it and alot of people seem to recommend it.

Edit: just noticed I fucked up the title of the thread, could a moderator change it to "Thermal paste" instead of "Thermale paste"
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
June 12 2011 20:09 GMT
#2
Yes, there should be some on your cooler already. If there isn't you should use some. It's suggested for CPU's in the same way eating and breathing are for humans...
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:11:59
June 12 2011 20:11 GMT
#3
And I assume I just apply it to the top of the Processor right?
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
Grobyc
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada18410 Posts
June 12 2011 20:13 GMT
#4
Yes. Less than a pea-sized amount. You just want a thin layer covering it. Too much paste will hinder heat transfer.
If you watch Godzilla backwards it's about a benevolent lizard who helps rebuild a city and then moonwalks into the ocean.
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:16:31
June 12 2011 20:15 GMT
#5
No worries, I just wanted to make sure you understood how "recommended" the stuff is.

It's vital, as opposed to just being a good idea.

Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
June 12 2011 20:15 GMT
#6
No problem I'm quite clearly shitty with computers, thanks appreciated mate!
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
June 12 2011 20:17 GMT
#7
On June 13 2011 05:15 PeaNuT_T wrote:
No problem I'm quite clearly shitty with computers, thanks appreciated mate!


You know you don't know, which just means you're uninformed. Shitty is people who think they know, and don't or know exactly one thing and try to apply it to every problem that comes up, like a hammer on a loose bolt.
S.O.U.L
Profile Joined March 2011
Latvia149 Posts
June 12 2011 20:21 GMT
#8
lol, ofcourse its neccesary if you wont hav eit youre CPU will be overheating! and you will need to drop it out! so you have 2 choices, waste like $400 on a CPU to burn it down! or pay $405 to keep it alive ^^
CezA
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
June 12 2011 20:27 GMT
#9
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:28:45
June 12 2011 20:27 GMT
#10
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
June 12 2011 20:31 GMT
#11
On June 13 2011 05:27 JingleHell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.


..Right, and lets say I'm not able to get rubbing alcohol would acetone still do or should I just hunt for rubbing alcohol?
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:32:36
June 12 2011 20:32 GMT
#12
On June 13 2011 05:31 PeaNuT_T wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:27 JingleHell wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.


..Right, and lets say I'm not able to get rubbing alcohol would acetone still do or should I just hunt for rubbing alcohol?


I've never used acetone, and won't suggest a chemical going near your CPU that I can't tell you for sure is safe. I honestly don't know, and won't endorse it based on my guess that it *should* be ok.
nalgene
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada2153 Posts
June 12 2011 20:34 GMT
#13
Application should be a tiny dot in the center or a thin horizontal line

and use Alcohol to remove the existing paste from both the CPU and the heat sink

possible to add a penny or so to add more pressure if you wanted ( better for dissipation )
Year 2500 Greater Israel ( Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen )
Zrana
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United Kingdom698 Posts
June 12 2011 20:40 GMT
#14
tbh you are ok with a slightly damp cloth as long as you are gentle+careful and dont run any power through the cpu until its totally dry
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:41:24
June 12 2011 20:40 GMT
#15
On June 13 2011 05:40 Zrana wrote:
tbh you are ok with a slightly damp cloth as long as you are gentle+careful and dont run any power through the cpu until its totally dry


Don't do this. Components are too expensive to risk this way. It's worth taking the time and spending the few bucks on the rubbing alcohol to just do it right.
ScipioAfricanus
Profile Joined May 2011
United States11 Posts
June 12 2011 20:48 GMT
#16
you need an alcohol that dries fast, acetone will be fine. thats the point of using an alcohol. the higher concentration alcohol vs water the better because that evaporates faster. you do NOT want liquid still on the components.

that being said, applying thermal paste depends on the type of heatsink contact surface you have. most stocks will be a clean flat surface in which case a 'pea-sized' amount (on the cpu) will be fine. if, however, there are copper pipes running through the contact surface, you should put a very thin line of thermal paste along the pipes and then apply the heatsink.

most cpu's have a built in heat concentrating system where the heat is brought to the center of the cpu. applying the pea sized thermal paste to this area is the best option - you do not need to spread it (don't listen to anyone that says you do), just install the heatsink and it will be fine.
a176
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada6688 Posts
June 12 2011 23:24 GMT
#17
On June 13 2011 05:31 PeaNuT_T wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:27 JingleHell wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.


..Right, and lets say I'm not able to get rubbing alcohol would acetone still do or should I just hunt for rubbing alcohol?


those alcohols are available at most drug stores. just get the highest % isopropyl alcohol they sell.
starleague forever
jacosajh
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
2919 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-13 00:29:19
June 13 2011 00:28 GMT
#18
Some time ago, I didn't have any rubbing alcohol/q tips on hand. Luckily I had a first aid kit in my car with rubbing alcohol pads. That's what I've been using ever since.

And oh, be careful with using certain materials to wipe with. If you use something like a napkin or cloth, a fiber can stick to the paste, creating heat pockets. Obviously, that's not a good thing. I use my Ray Ban sun glass cleaner to wipe off the paste. Cotton balls or q-tips should be fine, but just pay attention.
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
June 13 2011 00:33 GMT
#19
On June 13 2011 09:28 jacosajh wrote:
Some time ago, I didn't have any rubbing alcohol/q tips on hand. Luckily I had a first aid kit in my car with rubbing alcohol pads. That's what I've been using ever since.

And oh, be careful with using certain materials to wipe with. If you use something like a napkin or cloth, a fiber can stick to the paste, creating heat pockets. Obviously, that's not a good thing. I use my Ray Ban sun glass cleaner to wipe off the paste. Cotton balls or q-tips should be fine, but just pay attention.


That's actually a great idea. Probably better than the q-tips. The loose fibers is actually why I suggest just moistening the thermal paste with alcohol from the first one. It breaks it up, and then it just comes off on the others, without leaving any fibers behind.

Dracolich70
Profile Joined May 2011
Denmark3820 Posts
June 13 2011 00:41 GMT
#20
Use a credit card to distribute the thermal paste, and as others have said, it is very important that the layer is thin, else it is counterproductive.
LiangHao
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