Hey everyone! I recently built my first PC, and I ran into a little issue with the thermal paste. The paste I used was a bit tricky to apply as it didn't want to come out of the tube, resulting in it getting a little messy. I'm attaching a picture here: https://imgur.com/a/tQivipb. While it looks pretty cool in the photo, I'm starting to wonder if I may have used too much. I've seen other builds online with much less paste. Should I remove some?
3 Answers
Honestly, it can depend on the paste, but typically you want to use a pea-sized dot in the center of the CPU. If you keep it tidy, you should be okay. Just make sure it’s not thick like frosting!
It looks like you might have applied a bit too much. Generally, you want just enough to cover the CPU surface thinly, without it spilling over the edges. If there's excess that oozes out when you put the cooler on, it’s a good idea to clean it up and reapply an appropriate amount. Better to be safe than sorry!
I get the struggle! Thermal paste can be a hassle. From what I see, I'd recommend cleaning it up a bit and reapplying if it looks excessive. It's an easy fix to make sure your temps stay low!
Yeah, a thin layer usually does the trick. If it’s not overflowing, you might be fine, but it never hurts to double-check!