12900K Thermal Paste Application

[Marhier]

Just wondering what others have done for LGA 1700.

I've always done a line historically, but this chip is a lot bigger and thinking I may not get the coverage I need.

I've read that blob in the middle and dots in each corner is good for this?

[Tan3l6]

The method plays very small part, at least when there is enough paste.

Even if you place a small bean sized paste dot in the center, if the pressure method is even it will spread everywhere it should.

[tkitch]

Draw an X in paste, and then put a dot in the middle of each side near the edge.

 

OR just dump half a tube into the middle.

 

It's decidedly not that important, as long as the entire chip is covered.

[Marhier]

I'll give that a go.
I would try and manually spread it, but I'm not the most graceful of individuals, lol!

[mr fobs]

This shows how each version performs. Not on a 12th gen, but still gives idea.

[SolarNova]

I've always manually spread my TIM applications.

 

So either do that or do an X with with a dot in the open space, that will be plenty.

[Marhier]

Yeah... Providing there's a good amount, the pressure from the cooler will take care of the spread.

[manikyath]

my advice is always this:

if you're scared of using too much paste, make an X from corner to corner on the cpu. you'll be inclined to put very thin lines and as a result have roughly the right amount of paste to have it "just about spread out perfectly".

 

if you're scared of using too little paste, use the pea method. you'll be inclined to make it a big pea, and as a result have roughly the right amount of paste to have it "just about spread out perfectly".

 

i often use spread when i'm dealing with bare die (happens surprisingly often..) and it's honestly just too much mess to make sense for an IHS where absolute perfect coverage is a necessity (you can miss a little corner, it's not a problem)

 

remember that any excess paste you put on just squishes out the sides, so as long as you dont go "GN proving a point" excessive it'll be just fine.

[Marhier]

2 minutes ago, manikyath said:

"GN proving a point"

Seemed like a legit amount of paste to me.

[Tan3l6]

Btw - more paste is better than less paste,  at least when the paste is electrically non-conductive. Most modern pastes are, same for viscosity - most pastes aren't too viscous. Just get a good paste and good amount, everything else is secondary.