Can too much thermal compound cause the heatsink to not extract the heat properly?

[DaJe]

Right now my Core 2 Duo E6700 is running between 54 and 55°C, with the side of the case off. Feeling the heatsink, it doesn't feel warm at all really. I was thinking of getting a better fan/heatsink combo for it, and then perhaps eventually water cooling (though my CPU is really the only thing I need to cool). Do you think if I put too much Arctic Silver on it, would it prevent the heat from properly transferring to the heatsink? Anyone have a fan and heatsink they could recommend?

[DaveW]

Yes, the TIM material is made from silicon which isn't the best conductor of heat. It's only there to ensure that there is 100% contact between the CPU and the HSF.

-Dave

[DaJe]

There, I removed it all and re-applied it in a thinner layer.

How does this look http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/PICT6362.JPG



Wow, it's actually running at about 34-35°C right now

[nil8]

That's a lot more than I would personally use. All you need is a bead about half the size of a pea and the material should spread out when you apply the heatsink. If it's dropped your temps, it's working.

There is such a thing as too much thermal compound.

[DaJe]

That picture is still too much for you? Damn, I only put about the size of a pea and spread it thinly and evenly. It still dropped the temperature by 20°C

[gaz_the_chav]

[Off-Topic]

Feel Free to call me a retard but-

I looked at that picture and thought 'That is a really nice chromeish effect on the top of that fan'. Then after nil8's post I realised that it was the Thermal Compound! :D

[/Off-Topic]

-gaz

[Crimson Sky]

Thats far far too much. a grain of rice-sized bead is all thats required. then with a finger covered in plastic wrap, spread it on THIN..all thermal compound is supposed to fill is the microscopic imperfections on the heatsink and on the heat spreader of the proc. Too much compound and you reduce the effectiveness of the heatsink dramatically. :santa:

[Omega]

Maybe that's why my CPU runs quite hot.

I think I'll fix that some time soon...

May as well get a new CPU cooler while I'm at it, something bigger... or WCing.

[DaJe]

Wow, now even Crimson is saying I have too much, and that was after I put less on. Should be fine for now though, since it's running at 34°C with "that much" on.

[nil8]

It doesn't take much thermal compound. Think of it like waxing a car. A little wax goes a long way because you only need a very thin surface to help fill in and smooth everything out, as well as protect from damage.

Like Crimson said, it's meant to fill in the tiny gaps that occur on machined metal. If you have too much then you're actually impeding the heat from transferring from the processor through the compound into the heatsink. More heat gets trapped in the compound which stays on the processor instead of wicking it away into the cooler heatsink.

[AJ@PR]

Think of it like waxing a car. A little wax goes a long way ...
[[Daniel San]]
Wax on...
Wax off...
Wax on...
Wax off...

[GT40_GearHead]

i agree with nil8 and Crimson

after you fix the heatsink over the CPU the layer of compund wll only be a few microns, and if put so damn much something nice is going to happen betwin your cpu and heatsink, the heatsink will aquaplane on the the CPU

so next time you take it apart, dont forget to put JUST a bit !

[chedabob]

[[Daniel San]]
Wax on...
Wax off...
Wax on...
Wax off...

Damn you [shakes fist] I was gonna say that.

I heard you were supposed to put a blob in the middle then smooth with a credit card. I find that waaaaaay to messy, so I just put a splodge in the middle, then attach it. Works fine for me.

[slytherock]

Same as Daniel San ;)


I heard you were supposed to put a blob in the middle then smooth with a credit card. I find that waaaaaay to messy,
That's how I do; when it's done right, it leave only a thin of conpownd. If it's too messy, just clean around with Isopropil 99%
so I just put a splodge in the middle, then attach it. Works fine for me.
it work well with CPU like this http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/ProductImageCompressAll200/19-104-159-01.JPG but can be a bit more complicated with CPU like thishttp://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/ProductImageCompressAll200/19-104-244-02.jpgcause it leaves the corners untouch by the counpound

[DaJe]

Guess what my name is ;)


What's a good temperature for an E6700 to run at? This is stock cooling.