thermal paste

I got a tube of thermal paste with a cpu fan i bought, where do i put the thermal paste?

Usually between the heatsink and the processor.

Use a VERY VERY tiny drop in the center and make sure it doesn't get all over the CPU.

Also, read the directions, it ALWAYS comes with directions.

thanks, mine never came with instructions, so i put a small dot on the top of the processer?

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Originally posted by Narfy
thanks, mine never came with instructions, so i put a small dot on the top of the processer?

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It should come with instructions. If it didn't, FIND THEM or call for them or look it up online. It always specifies how much to put on and such (I haven't used paste in a long ass time so I don't feel comfortable telling you exactly how much and where, but I believe a tiny tiny ass drop on the core, then press heatsink onto cpu).

Here are some excellent instructions:

Arctic Silver Instructions

Basically you want to make sure that it's evenly spread to no more than the thickness of a piece of paper. A credit card makes a good spreader. And whatever you do, don't use thermal paste and a thermal pad if one is fitted to the HSF - you'll crack the motherboard.

Just a quick note:

You don't actually put the thermal paste on the CPU itself! Put the smallest drop on the die in the center of the CPU. I know that sounds stupid, but when someone asks "where do I put this" it's best to go back 2 basics. ;)

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Originally posted by SuperSparks
And whatever you do, don't use thermal paste and a thermal pad if one is fitted to the HSF - you'll crack the motherboard.

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Xeon CPUs come with both a thermal plate for the underneath of the motherboard, and also thermal paste and a massive heatsink&fan :)

The smaller the drop the better, as long as you can be sure there is an even coverage, the more you use the poorer the thermal conductivity. All it does is fill in the tiny air gaps between the metal surfaces providing a continuous medium for the heat to escape the CPU. The metal is a better conductor than the paste so less is more.

Usually, if you buy a decent heat sink/fan it will come with a small square patch of thermal grease already on the bottom of the heat sink and you just have to peal away the protective plastic.