Installing CPU

[NaughtyDog321]

So right now I am installing my I7 processor, is it okay to use a cotton swab to spread some of the thermal paste around?

[NaughtyDog321]

i am worried about cotton fibers getting in the thermal paste

 

[Fictionvl]

I would recommend using your credit card or any flat surface to put your thermal paste, cotton might fall on the thermal paste and might cause temp issues.

[SpiralTTGL]

the heatsink will spread the thermal paste evenly with its pressure on the cpu no need to spread it out, just put like half a pea in the middle

[NaughtyDog321]

well i already used a cotton swab before the post lol, do you think this is a fire hazard or something like that? I dont see any cotton fibers in the thermal paste

[Amaranth]

15 minutes ago, SpiralTTGL said:

the heatsink will spread the thermal paste evenly with its pressure on the cpu no need to spread it out, just put like half a pea in the middle

That really depends on the thermal paste, some of them are more vicious than others and perform better when spread by hand. Personally I've also found that I get better results with the spread method vs the pea but I also mainly use Kryonaut and that needs to be spread and not squashed.

 

12 minutes ago, NaughtyDog321 said:

do you think this is a fire hazard or something like that?

No, but if there are any fibers you might get a hot-spot that will give you worse thermal results than you would otherwise have. Luckily since it's not directly on the die you're unlikely to kill the chip although I would, personally, still reapply the thermal paste and use something else to spread it around.

[SpiralTTGL]

3 minutes ago, Amaranth said:

That really depends on the thermal paste, some of them are more vicious than others and perform better when spread by hand. Personally I've also found that I get better results with the spread method vs the pea but I also mainly use Kryonaut and that needs to be spread and not squashed.

kryonaut specifically comes with a spreader unlike other more common pastes like arctic silver, ic diamond ect

[Amaranth]

Just now, SpiralTTGL said:

kryonaut specifically comes with a spreader unlike other more common pastes like arctic silver, ic diamond ect

True, but that doesn't mean that other pastes don't also perform better when spread. Plus it's a good habit to get into if you're going to be repasting graphics cards, laptops, or anything else that uses direct die cooling since you need to make sure to cover the entire die in those cases since a hot spot then could burn out the entire chip.

[NaughtyDog321]

Is 91% isopropyl alcohol okay?

[Amaranth]

11 minutes ago, NaughtyDog321 said:

Is 91% isopropyl alcohol okay?

Yes, that is great for cleaning off thermal paste.

[LienusLateTips]

30 minutes ago, NaughtyDog321 said:

Is 91% isopropyl alcohol okay?

Yes, that and a microfibre cloth, or what I use toilet paper.

[NaughtyDog321]

Sweet, I am just paranoid that toilet paper will land in the CPU socket or  something and ruin my mobo or cpu

 

[useffff]

just use a plastic tool like a spoon or some to spread it

[YourNewPalAlex]

from personal experiences on a laptop gpu die, just put a little blob in the center not to big. and then put the cooler ontop. If your a bit on the janky side, you can use a flat surface like a credit card or smth to spread it on the cpu. Just try not to put too much because when it gets compressed it might seep out

[LienusLateTips]

5 hours ago, NaughtyDog321 said:

Sweet, I am just paranoid that toilet paper will land in the CPU socket or  something and ruin my mobo or cpu

 

Do it while it's removed from the socket, but if it's inside that should be fine.