* Is it OK to check if Thermal Paste spread evenly? *

[adreen]

As in, when installing HSF+thermal paste...is it ok to unlock it and make sure that the thermal paste spread evenly??
Or should I just hope for the best and roll with it?

 

[oldgreyhead]

I allways do that. Seems to work for me.

 

[arges86]

you can experiment first,
but once you apply the past and fix the cooler, you really shouldn't take it off again redoing the TIM

 

[roadrunner197069]

It is not advised to have a look to see, once you do you will need new paste because of contaminates and air bubbles that will cause heat build up.

If your temps are bad, you will know, and you will need new paste and try again.

 

[dokk2]

If it [TIM] has been on for any length of time you might have to reapply again,after all there should only be TIM to the thickness of a cigarette paper..

edit: If there are no problems,,why go looking for them,windoze don't need no help in that department..

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

As a general rule, never loosen your heatsink after you first boot up the PC. The thermal paste solidifies and changes properties under heat, so it wont really spread after a certain point. It is always good to install it and then take it off to check how it spread before turning on the PC, since it still can spread and force out air bubbles.

 

[grieve]

I never check it...

I install the heatsink or waterblock and run coretemp or realtemp in windows to get my temps.
-If temps are awesome, I leave be...
-If temps are mediocre / terrible I remove the heatsink. All the thermal paste and start over… Rinse/repeat until satisfied I have a great connection.

Sometimes ill do this process three or four times per heatsink, but I always get the best temps in the end.

**edit**
***One thing you should note if you have not removed a heatsink before… warm up the processor/heatsink by leaving the machine on a few mins before trying to separate the processor/heatsink. When cold, they stick together like Bert and Ernie.

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

Grieve thanks for mentioning that. Arctic Silver 5 and most cheap silicon based thermal pastes act like that, but I use Arctic Cooling MX-2 which doesn't so I totally forgot, sorry.