Heatsink installation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Travis King
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Travis King

I have the new Sempron and motherboard because I already ordered it three
days ago, but here's my question. My $40 Zalman heatsink instructions say
to spread the thermal paste on the CPU. I thought you were supposed to just
put a dab of it on on these CPU's and the pressure of the heatsink would
spread out the paste. Is this correct or should I follow the directions and
go ahead and spread the paste? Would it hurt anything if I spread the
paste? Thanks.
 
Travis King said:
I have the new Sempron and motherboard because I already ordered it three
days ago, but here's my question. My $40 Zalman heatsink instructions say
to spread the thermal paste on the CPU. I thought you were supposed to
just put a dab of it on on these CPU's and the pressure of the heatsink
would spread out the paste. Is this correct or should I follow the
directions and go ahead and spread the paste? Would it hurt anything if I
spread the paste? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The idea is to get the thinnest coating over the chip. A thick layer
actually makes heat transfer worse. A firend who build pcs told me to put a
small blob on the chip, and then put a freezer bag over your finger and
spread it over the entire surface of the cpu. It should look more like its
been painted than a thick layer og grease. (this is the method I used on my
4400x2 and its idling at 28C and loaded at about 48C) I've heard of others
using a credit card or similar flat plastic card to spread a thin, even
layer.
The trouble with the blob and squeeze method is that it can leave a fairly
thick layer, and you cant guarentee its spread evenly and left a section
uncovered.
Zalman know their stuff, follow the instructions. (but try not to get your
fingerprints over the mating surfaces, hence using the bag)

Good luck,

J.
(PS, obviously follow earthing precautions before handling the cpu!!)
 
Jester said:
The idea is to get the thinnest coating over the chip. A thick layer
actually makes heat transfer worse. A firend who build pcs told me to put
a small blob on the chip, and then put a freezer bag over your finger and
spread it over the entire surface of the cpu. It should look more like its
been painted than a thick layer og grease. (this is the method I used on
my 4400x2 and its idling at 28C and loaded at about 48C) I've heard of
others using a credit card or similar flat plastic card to spread a thin,
even layer.
The trouble with the blob and squeeze method is that it can leave a fairly
thick layer, and you cant guarentee its spread evenly and left a section
uncovered.
Zalman know their stuff, follow the instructions. (but try not to get your
fingerprints over the mating surfaces, hence using the bag)

Good luck,

J.
(PS, obviously follow earthing precautions before handling the cpu!!)
Click to expand...
This is how I did my heatsinks with Athlon XP's:
1. Make sure there are no particles (not even a grain of dust) on either
the core or the heatsink
2. Put a very small dab of thermal grease on the base of the heatsink and
put my finger in a sandwich bag and spread the paste until there's only a
tint on the heatsink to fill up the pits and valleys.
3. Put as thin but even layer on the core of the CPU as possible using a
credit card. I'll sometimes spend ten to fifteen minutes spreading it to
get it as even as I can without going so thin that some of the CPU core is
uncovered.

I assume the procedure is the same only spreading it over the entire
heatspreader or do I just have to spread it over the area the core is at.
(The middle)?
 
Travis King said:
This is how I did my heatsinks with Athlon XP's:
1. Make sure there are no particles (not even a grain of dust) on either
the core or the heatsink
2. Put a very small dab of thermal grease on the base of the heatsink and
put my finger in a sandwich bag and spread the paste until there's only a
tint on the heatsink to fill up the pits and valleys.
3. Put as thin but even layer on the core of the CPU as possible using a
credit card. I'll sometimes spend ten to fifteen minutes spreading it to
get it as even as I can without going so thin that some of the CPU core is
uncovered.

I assume the procedure is the same only spreading it over the entire
heatspreader or do I just have to spread it over the area the core is at.
(The middle)?
Click to expand...
Well, I spread the paste across the whole heatspreader and it must have been
done well. The Sempron is staying in the upper 20's to low 30's C.
 
I have the new Sempron and motherboard because I already ordered it three
days ago, but here's my question. My $40 Zalman heatsink instructions say
to spread the thermal paste on the CPU. I thought you were supposed to just
put a dab of it on on these CPU's and the pressure of the heatsink would
spread out the paste. Is this correct or should I follow the directions and
go ahead and spread the paste? Would it hurt anything if I spread the
paste? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The dab technique came from one particular goop
manufacturer. I'm sure they believe it works best for their
stuff. Most tests I've read suggest there isn't much
difference at max temps. The "big" measured differences are
at idle temps. And they aren't much. I think the real
issue is not to use too much of whatever you put on.
 
That sounds like a good job well done!

I only spread it over the area where there is contact betweer heatsink and
core, but going wider won't hurt. Low temps mean it is doing its job.

J.
 
I thought I just had to spread paste around the middle because that's where
the core is at, but I did the benefit of the doubt and did the whole
heatspreader like you said. By the way, I used OCZ Ultra 5+ silver thermal
compound. I also have a tube of Arctic Silver 5 that I'll use once I use up
this tube. (This tube has lasted me quite a few installations.) I would
guess at least 8 so far and it still has a good amount left.
 
My new Sempron doesn't benchmark as well as my Athlon XP 2400+ did, but in
real-world performance, it does a lot better.
 
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