Finally changed my mind about thermal paste application methods

I used to be a pea-size drop guy through and through. Then a client brought in a Ryzen 7 that kept hitting 95C under load, and after repasting with a spread method the temps dropped 12 degrees. I checked the old application and the paste had barely covered half the IHS. Now I spread it thin with a credit card on everything. Anyone else seen a big temp drop from switching methods?

2 comments

2 Comments

tessa_rivera19d ago

The spread method is the way to go for Ryzen chips especially. Those chiplets are offset, so a pea in the middle just misses half the die. I've pulled off coolers where the paste looked like a ghost of the IHS outline. Used to be a line method guy myself, but after a 3900X gave me 88C at stock, I switched to spreading with a spatula and never looked back. Just make sure you use enough to get full coverage without going over the edges. That 12 degree drop sounds about right, I've seen 10-15 on most Ryzen rebuilds.

the_vera18d ago

Exactly what @tessa_rivera said - spreading is the ONLY way for Ryzen chips now.