Too much thermal paste?
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Teny
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Yes, too much thermal paste is possible. I think it's the same as not having enough thermal paste.
"The reason we use thermal compound is because two metallic surfaces are never perfectly smooth: there are always microscopic pits and bumps in the surface. So, when you push the CPU and the Heatsink together, there would be small microscopic air voids in between the two surfaces, and air is pretty poor at transferring heat. That's why we use thermal compound: it fills those microscopic air voids.
However, ultimately copper will always be a better conductor of heat. Thus you want to maximize the amount of direct metal contact, and apply JUST enough thermal compound to fill any voids between the two surfaces. Using two much will create a layer of thermal grease between the two, and (yes) will deliver worse performance. It can also cause the compound to seep out onto other components (also not good)."
Source
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/255365-29-will-thermal-paste-increase-temps
"The reason we use thermal compound is because two metallic surfaces are never perfectly smooth: there are always microscopic pits and bumps in the surface. So, when you push the CPU and the Heatsink together, there would be small microscopic air voids in between the two surfaces, and air is pretty poor at transferring heat. That's why we use thermal compound: it fills those microscopic air voids.
However, ultimately copper will always be a better conductor of heat. Thus you want to maximize the amount of direct metal contact, and apply JUST enough thermal compound to fill any voids between the two surfaces. Using two much will create a layer of thermal grease between the two, and (yes) will deliver worse performance. It can also cause the compound to seep out onto other components (also not good)."
Source
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/255365-29-will-thermal-paste-increase-temps
foothead
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It should be the size of a large grain of rice. No more.
The pressure from the heatsink will spread it.
The pressure from the heatsink will spread it.
Teny
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I use a pea size.
GibsonSGKing
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Very few compounds now a days are conductive, none of the good stuff is.
foothead
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Thats too much.
You want the thinnest layer possible, and this will cause it to be caked up quite a bit.
Teny
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Seem to work for me. When I put the thermal paste, I spread it around the CPU so it's even, so it's not much. My CPU never went past 50c after hours of gaming with the OC on stock cooler, unless of course my room is hot.
foothead
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It could be even cooler though.
Mine never got over 45C on stock in a prime95 test.
Mine never got over 45C on stock in a prime95 test.
Teny
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Well your cooling and room temperature is different than mine.
I don't think it would be cooler, even if it would, it would be about 1c-2c.
I don't think it would be cooler, even if it would, it would be about 1c-2c.
