Thermal paste problem, maybe?

[JDS]

So, I recently put my NZXT Kraken x40 on my 780 Ti via the Kraken G10 and noticed that my temps are definitely lower, but not near as low as others seem to be getting.  So my first thought is the thermal paste.  A.) Will my thermal paste perform better as I let it cure? (Arctic Silver 5) B.) When I applied the thermal paste I initially spread it out evenly over the GPU, would that cause unevenness thus higher temps? (is that a real word?)  And finally, C.)  Is there any way, other than using a laser thermometer to measure VRM/VRAM temps on an Nvidia card?  Thanks!

[helping]

uh..

 

I would have used something other than AS5. I hope you used very little. 

[JDS]

uh..

 

I would have used something other than AS5. I hope you used very little. 

 

Why is that?

[helping]

Why is that?

That's a very nice graphics card you have there

 

AS5 is capacitive. If a tiny bit spilled over, something very unfortunate might happen. 

 

Since you've already done it, there doesn't seem to be a problem, but a forewarning should you need to reapply.

[JDS]

That's a very nice graphics card you have there

 

AS5 is capacitive. If a tiny bit spilled over, something very unfortunate might happen. 

 

Since you've already done it, there doesn't seem to be a problem, but a forewarning should you need to reapply.

 

Thank you, but...http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/14032-arctic-silver-5-is-not-conductive/

[helping]

Thank you, but...http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/14032-arctic-silver-5-is-not-conductive/

Are you sure you read my post and then read that post?

[JDS]

Are you sure you read my post and then read that post?

 

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking, but this seems to be besides the point anyway.  Assuming that I didn't spill any, what would you say about the other questions?

[helping]

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking, but this seems to be besides the point anyway.  Assuming that I didn't spill any, what would you say about the other questions?

I don't think you read it beyond the title and first sentence, since that post and mine are... nearly identical except that I didn't state that AS5 is not electrically conductive, which it isn't. 

 

If the software doesn't provide temperatures, then the only ways I'm aware of are physical temperature probes and lazers. Yes AS5 has a curing time, but don't expect a substantial change in temperatures. As long as you have them with either sinks and thermal pads or air flow, they should fine. 

 

How uneven it is, for the most part a moot point. As long as you spread it out reasonably evenly and used an extremely thin layer, then it should be fine. Keep in mind thermal paste isn't actually there to conduct heat but rather to fill gaps in the imperfections. Thermal paste inhibits heat transfer compared to perfect surfaces, but since chips and sinks are imperfect, bad conductivity is better than zero conductivity. 

[JDS]

I don't think you read it beyond the title and first sentence, since that post and mine are... nearly identical except that I didn't state that AS5 is not electrically conductive, which it isn't. 

 

If the software doesn't provide temperatures, then the only ways I'm aware of are physical temperature probes and lazers. Yes AS5 has a curing time, but don't expect a substantial change in temperatures. As long as you have them with either sinks and thermal pads or air flow, they should fine. 

 

How uneven it is, for the most part a moot point. As long as you spread it out reasonably evenly and used an extremely thin layer, then it should be fine. Keep in mind thermal paste isn't actually there to conduct heat but rather to fill gaps in the imperfections. Thermal paste inhibits heat transfer compared to perfect surfaces, but since chips and sinks are imperfect, bad conductivity is better than zero conductivity. 

 

Well, when I spread it out it was quite even, I have just read and heard that the "dot" method is the best way to evenly distribute the paste.