Quick and Easy guide on how to apply Arctic Silver

[SolidxSnake]

HOW TO APPLY ARCTIC SILVER

Anything in Blue indicates that that should only be done with AS1, AS2 or AS3

For all types of Arctic Silver:

Clean the mating surfaces with high-purity Isopropyl Alchohol (rubbing alchohol) thoroughly.

Arctic Silver 5 and Céramiqúe, Arctic Silver 1, 2, 3, or Alumina with a CPU/GPU with an IHS - Put a small blob of Arctic Silver 5 or Céramiqúe in the center of the IHS/die of your processor/GPU. It should be about the size of a B.B. Now put a small amount on the heatsink where the CPU/GPU die or IHS will meet with the heatsink, and spread it with a finger in a plastic bag until the paste gets very thin and almost dissappears. Now, mount the heatsink correctly, and twist it a few degrees to the left and right if possible...

This is the correct amount of TIM to use with a properly lapped heatsink:

http://www.bostonrinkrats.com/solidx...pplication.jpg

Note that not a SINGLE PORTION of that 'blob' of Ceramique is taller than 2mm. It is a very thin 'blob', but not as thin as it gets to be after the heatsink is applied. You can also make a smaller 'blob', but taller, but I prefer to do this. No difference

Arctic Silver 5 and Céramiqúe, Arctic Silver 1, 2, 3, or Alumina on an OPEN-DIE CPU/GPU - Place some Arctic Silver on the die of your processor/gpu. Get a CLEAN razor blade, and spread the thermal paste around the whole die. Now put a small amount on the heatsink where the CPU/GPU die will meet with the heatsink, and spread it with a finger in a plastic bag until the paste gets very thin and almost dissappears. Now, place the heatsink on the mating IHS/die, and mount. Twist a little bit to close voids between the mating surfaces...

This is how it should look spread:

http://www.bostonrinkrats.com/solidx...Open%20Die.JPG

[Radical]

The steps that you've recommended for AS 5 can be used with Ceramique, as well.

[Ven0m]

Instructions from Arctic Silve site seem t be good enough + they have photos. Bah, even on syringes they say to visit their sire for instructions.

[SAOverclocker]

Arctic Silver 1, 2, 3, Céramiqúe or Alumina - Place some Arctic Silver on the die or the IHS of your processor/gpu. Get a CLEAN razor blade, and spread the thermal paste around the whole IHS or die. You can also put your finger in a CLEAN plastic bag, and spread the paste around that way.

I wouldn't recommend spreading the paste on the die with your finger in a plastic bag. That won't create a very even layer, and you want a good, even, layer on that die, which is why AS suggests something like a razor blade or credit card....something firm with a flat edge as long as it's clean.

[SolidxSnake]

edited to accommodate changes

[Redstone]

I wouldn't recommend spreading the paste on the die with your finger in a plastic bag. That won't create a very even layer, and you want a good, even, layer on that die, which is why AS suggests something like a razor blade or credit card....something firm with a flat edge as long as it's clean.

It does seem odd but using your finger in a plastic bags is the method AS suggested for applying the compound. Personally, I use the spreader that came with my Alunina Adhesive to spread the regular Alumina.

[9mmCensor]

http://arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm
That covers it.

[SolidxSnake]

It does seem odd but using your finger in a plastic bags is the method AS suggested for applying the compound. Personally, I use the spreader that came with my Alunina Adhesive to spread the regular Alumina.

they said to do that to put it in the heatsink.. to fill the microscopic gaps... not on the CPU

[Radical]

Yeah, but once you spread it onto the heatsink to fill the microscopic gaps, you remove the TIM from the heatsink again. I believe that process is known as conditioning or tainting.

[Ven0m]

Spreading on heatsik part doesn't include AS5 and Ceramique. At least it didn't when I read the guide before I applied paste.

There are many methods to apply paste. Unfortunatly, not all work as expected.
Perhaps putting AS5 on heatsink isn't bad idea, but it would be pretty hard not to remove some parts of it while spreading.

[Grov]

I find it really hard putting the XP-120 on, i wish it had the bolt down method like my old SLK-900, i couldn't put it on verticly, had to do it at an angle, hope it spreaded the AS5 ok.

[Redstone]

they said to do that to put it in the heatsink.. to fill the microscopic gaps... not on the CPU

I stand corrected. I read it wrong. It did seem odd using the bag for the CPU. Guess I wasnt breaking the rules!

[Radical]

Spreading on heatsik part doesn't include AS5 and Ceramique. At least it didn't when I read the guide before I applied paste.

It's not required, but it doesn't hurt.

I find it really hard putting the XP-120 on, i wish it had the bolt down method like my old SLK-900, i couldn't put it on verticly, had to do it at an angle, hope it spreaded the AS5 ok.

Doing this can actually help prevent air bubble in the TIM, so I'm sure it spread the AS5 fine.

[SolidxSnake]

Update with pics of how to apply AS5/Ceramique to different kinds of procs

and yes, holy thread resurrection

[Dubbedoutgeo27]

nbody ever seems to understand this, but even if your speading isnt pefectly even, it will make ZERO difference, because the paste gets SQUISHED between the heatsink and the core anyway, and it will all become even.