Best Way to Apply Thermal Paste? Does it Even Matter?

This is a long debated topic, what is the best way to apply thermal paste and does it even matter? In this video I share my results after testing 7 different thermal paste application methods so that we may answer these question. I used corsair TM30, great cpu paste!

US Links

Canadian Links

0:00 The thermal paste debate
0:55 Test Methodology
2:51 Application Methods
3:04 P/Dot Method
3:17 Rice Grain Method
3:26 Line Method
3:35 X/Cross Method
4:01 Penta Dot Method
4:37 Buttered Toast, Spread Method
4:56 It Doesn't Really Matter
5:42 AMD Transfer Plate Grooves
6:38 Tiny Dot Method
7:44 In Conclusion

This channel can be sponsored by YOU! Help boost my channel at Patreon.

Or you can hit the easy buttons, just LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. It really helps a lot!

Thanks :)

Music - Flight To Tunisia by Causmic

[StefanEtienneTheVerrgeRep]

You didn't use enough paste. I can clearly still see motherboard. Cover the entire motherboard, including the RAM. It wouldn't be a bad idea to cover the USB ports as well.

[daoistdvonkarlcat]

I never thought that Johnny Sins is also a PC guy.

[mabus-armyofsalt]

As someone who has never done this before, your conclusion has definitely eased my mind. Put some thermal paste on it, make sure it's enough, and everything will be fine. Definitely a load off. Thank you for the video.

[jadeddeath]

Despite this video being two years old, it’s still comforting. I built my very first pc last week and forgot about all application methods for thermal paste… but I still used thermal paste!! And not just a tiny dot either! My heart is at ease knowing I did it right! 😂

[xXessoXx]

You forgot the bukake method that the Verge used 🤣😂

[chrisbarber]

This guy saying "It'll be fine" in that calming voice is very nice to hear as someone who's almost constantly afraid to break the whole computer with my sheer presence

[Movie_Games]

I've always heard buttered toast was the best back in the day. Been doing it that way ever since the Pentium 4.

[melbendigo]

Not being a tech person, I'm very happy to find your video, and want to say: Finally! A thermal paste demo that actually clarifies the most important considerations and helps me understand what I'm doing! Thank you! :)

[davidjosephjohn]

Funny thing, I've been doing this a long time but I still revisit the topic every couple years. GREAT video. Clear and concise. Good job sir.

[Cheftyit]

I'm someone else who has not done this and will need to on my new build very soon. Thank you for the experiment! This definitely puts my mind at ease. It seems like there is so much controversy about this topic that makes people nervous that have never done it. When in reality its a simple process and no need to worry so much, just do it!

[thechillydude]

Gotta admire your commitment in testing those thermal paste combos. I was just curious on how to put a thermal paste properly. Now that I watched your vid, I learned a lot. You exceeded my expectations.

[leafbelly]

Pfft! Everyone knows the best way to apply thermal paste is to swallow a dollop and then regurgitate it onto the CPU lid. I call it the "Feedin' my baby bird" method.

[sydanasri]

This guy is amazing. He also happened to be a computer guy. Nice one, Johnny.

[MrCroquinho]

Thanks for this detailed video. Since I don't rebuild my computer often, I always have the apprehension of how to apply paste properly. You have settled that matter for me in a satisfying way, once and for all! Thank you for showing me!

[dionmiller]

Congratulations! The YouTube algorithms worked for you today! I watched about 6 videos straight and then subscribed. I enjoyed your format.

[yudianantha]

If this guy really is Johny Sins, i starting to doubt that white liquid on CPU was A thermal paste

[rishabh_chaurasia]

He deserves a like for removing and placing pump 7+ times

[buenosdias]

I have always went with the peanut spread method earlier, but have decided to go with the penta dot on my Ryzen 5X 5600X CPU. AIO Thermal Take TH 360 ARGB Liquid cooling is going to be doing a better job than the prism AMD stock cooler. Thank you for this video!

[ultraali]

Love your tests. I remember when I was little I cleaned by PC and took the heatsink off. I replaced it like nothing happened and ran the PC like normal. Didn't even know i did anything wrong.

[alexdeguzman]

True. took your advise and worked on my G750 cause its been 8 years past since I bought it. I chose Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, did the spread on both CPU and GPU, cleaned out the fans and their heatsinks, and well running good as new. Temps dropped to 15C, and now I'm happy. Thank you again for a nice video as well with your advise.