Proper cpu paste application

[Quantex_rox]

What is the proper way to apply cpu paste? I got some arctic silver 5 for my new 3200+ coming, and my brother told me to put a little spot on the middle of the heat sink, and when it is tightened down on the cpu, it spreads out over the cpu.

 

[Grafficks]

Your information is correct. Apply a small amount on the middle of your CPU's heatspreader, around the size of an uncooked grain of rice. When the HSF is securely fastened upon the processor, the pressure of the heatsink will spread the paste evenly across the entire contacting surface.

 

[captaincranky]

There are subtleties at work here......

Arctic Silver has a slightly different take on how to apply the paste, depending on which CPU you are using! You can find downloadable instructions on their web site here: http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm Pay careful attention to the instructions for a dual core CPU.