How To Apply CPU Thermal Paste Methods - Compare and Benchmark

How To Apply CPU Thermal Paste Methods - Compare and Benchmark

CPU : I7-9700K
CPU Cooler : Noctua NH-D15
MB : ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E Gaming
SSD : M.2 Transcend 220S 1TB
PSU : Seasonic 850W
Thermal Compound Arctic MX-4

Software : Cinebench R20

- Time -

00:07 - One Point
00:41 - One Point Benchmark

01:05 - Five Point
01:38 - Five Point Benchmark

02:04 - Three Line
02:40 - Three Line Benchmark

03:01 - Cross X
03:35 - Cross X Benchmark

04:01 - One Point
04:34 - One Point Benchmark

05:00 - Final Result

[Marauder]

No talking, no bullshit, just 100% info. You know how to Youtube.

[RazorbackPT]

Listen here youtube algorithm. I already learned what I needed. I got the job done. Now I don't want to think about it for the next 5 years. I don't need my recommendations filled with thermal paste videos. I'm not a thermal past aficionado do you understand. I'm not planning any trips to thermal paste conventions. It was a one and done kinda deal you get me? Please stop!

[bryan]

AT LAST. Someone who uploads an actual useful guide with no talking, no bs, and that actually gets to the point. Thanks a lot for this.

[homecookingwithdad]

I was a die bonder specialist in a semiconductor manufacturing plant. We always used cross epoxy patterns for square dies as not have voids underneath the die. So your results are spot on.

[volactic]

It's funny how the one being used in the thumbnail as an incorrect example is actually one of the best performing ones

[ThunderGod]

Hands down the best and fastest video showing this info.

[ltonos]

For people saying: "just add more paste to the single dot". If you add more paste on the single dot, the paste will spread in a round shape, which means in order to cover the whole square, some paste needs to surpass the edge. The cross shape is the most logical way to cover the space of a square.

[GeneralLee]

Read an article almost 20 years ago that showed the X method being the king, and i’ve been using it ever since. Glad to see that’s still the case.

[hotdog]

You forgot the "I paid for the whole tube so i'm going to use the whole tube" method

[profchaos]

i use The Verge method, it's actually quite good, thanks to them now i own a brand new cpu

[Neelo]

When I built my first pc years ago I researched the topic a bit and the concensus was that spreading was the best method. When I purchased the thermal paste for the build, lo and behold, it came with a plastic spreader.

[alexfernaio]

It might be tempting to spread the thermal paste onto the CPU yourself. We recommend letting the pressure from the base-plate or waterblock being installed do it for you. Incorrect manual application can cause air bubbles to form in the paste, which can negatively impact the thermal conductivity.

- Intel

[kejkej]

The cpu:
This was the best day of my life

[crazynachos]

When the x covers the entire cpu is the most satisfying thing ever

[Andreas_Straub]

Well - the total amount of paste applied is different for the methods shown. This means using a single point method with a little bit more paste will also yield optimum results. As long as you apply enough past to cover the full area (not more) you will always get the best possible results.

[joshuamonroe]

Just in case anyone is wondering, I was curious and did a statistical analysis of the temperature data and found that there isn't any significant difference between any of the methods used in this video. Just use which ever one you like and make sure it'll cover at least 2/3 of the CPU when it's spread out and you're good.

[douglaslane]

"X" and "spread" methods are both tied for the best cooling performance, just to save you guys 5 minutes.

(Edit) Thanks for the likes! Great 16th birthday present xD

(Edit again) I have been informed that even though this is theoretically true, when you use "spread" you are spreading the paste to your hight, not the hight of the cooler. This allows for air bubbles, and any airbubbles are the same as not having any paste there.

[rasde_r]

Perfect guide! Nothing superfluous, just example and result. Thank you!

[oscak]

Perfect thermal spread guide. No ads, easy learn. Thanks

[GeeksTutorial]

Best thermal paste guide ever😘 I will go for the cross method ❤️