Install Thermal Compound Paste as Fast As Possible

This guide to installing thermal compound is fast & simple. Follow along & do it yourself!
FORUM LINK: linustechtips.c...

[@techquickie]

The purpose is quick, digestible videos about basic concepts or specific questions that people have asked me. They are meant to be refreshers for experienced tech-heads, or to be shared with friends/family who need to know more about technology.

[@SyedHasnainRazaRizvi]

I Use Colgate Tooth Paste.And It Works Great

[@mycampground2961]

PC Gamer the one with tartar control?

[@multimedia9016]

matt k Yes

[@poseidongaming8322]

+PC Gamer (Riz) you made me laugh sir

[@SyedHasnainRazaRizvi]

Sir I Am Just Joking.

[@poseidongaming8322]

PC Gamer i got it thats why I laughed :P

[@Quietbut_Deadly]

Instructions unclear, got thermal comound in my bloodstream.

[@renesteeman1]

You just don't want to be as cold as the environment, you might want to call someone then

[@IvanIvanov-qx5oz]

Why has god abandoned us?

[@joros5743]

Look at USA president for help - perhaps he will offer some bleach product that may help

[@dickcheney6]

I would have said "Instructions unclear, peed on the CPU and now it doesn't work"

[@xyz2theb]

@3:14 is how i wake up every morning.lol

[@dsofe4879]

bunk bed?

[@diegolume01]

***** He's batman.. Get it?

[@techquickie]

I guess you have to push the boundaries to find out where they are. My wife freaked out too :P

[@yanismalhotra8993]

hi

[@Privat3Kag3]

Best Tech video intro EVER...

[@vreemde123]

keep in mind that thermal paste is normally toxic, wash your hands afterwards is you have it on your fingers

[@EdwardChan.999]

"Pee in a line" method... interesting

[@ludadoyt8317]

😂vagina

[@ProtoMario]

I use copper thermal paste, and my cpu is running at 29 degrees c. I use a bit more than what this tutorial did, because I am afraid of small spots not being covered. My two cents, just don't use the @#$% paste thats packed in and you'll be alright.

[@zookatone]

15 seconds in: "non-conductive" for obvious reasons...

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

my amd idles at 15c and maxes at like 30c.. and I use cheap componets

[@WarcraftGaming101]

David G I'm calling bullshit

[@ProtoMario]

Kieran Wharton Yeah I use top tier and my diamond thermal paste with 9 fans and a hyper 212 evo and mine only goes to 16c lowest, rarely 15. Its usually at 17-19c

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

I only got one temp for all cores called (core) at the bottom. running at 15c . Six core AMD fx6300 3.5GHz

[@obake6290]

Already knew how to apply thermal paste, but I still learned something important. I learned how to remove a cooler for an intel cpu! I was going to replace the thermal compound in one of the family's computers today, but couldn't figure out how to get the fan off.

[@electricsymmetric7963]

Me too but I learned how to put back the intel stock cooler instead. I broke so many push pins back in the day...

[@MrRoverno]

This techquickie stuff is great. Not directly for the subscribers perhaps but because we can link everyone to these videos to explain stuff, Excellent thinking Linus.

[@techquickie]

Good point. Will try to figure out how to do that. I don't see the option to change it anymore. It's just greyed out.

[@theosx9218]

I don't have thermal paste is it possible to download it?

[@gowthamrallapalli]

S3Gaming Sourc3 as he said, use ur pea

[@armpit2688]

Lmao

[@bobbarker3248]

I prefer pre-applied thermal paste. It covers the CPU the best. Some people think it's automatically bad quality and all that, but I never had an issue.

[@alphahari7210]

10 years of helping nerds! thanks man

[@layneparrish6725]

Linus is a isopropyl alcoholic

[@-_-O]

1:11 "This is because my wife is now too dirty to clean anything"

[@tridiots3681]

so you use your *W I F E* to wipe. great man

[@crowdemon_archives]

@@tridiots3681 lint-free IPA soaked... Wife?

[@kmw5100]

You son of a bitch! that intro nearly killed me. Lmao

[@H_MarTianManHunter_Z]

how many channel does he have?

[@thefinder8087]

***** You're forgetting LinusCatTips

[@Biostorm7]

Nathaniel Graham and now they also have channelsuperfun

[@18aidanme]

4, and he's featured frequently on another one.

[@maxwellm1266]

5

[@potardo9851]

Thanks for the fast video on this. Its very hard to explain this method of application to someone over steam chat and this video made it possible for me to visually show my friend how to apply it :D Thanks again! -Foxi D'elegance

[@tSerapht]

from wiki - "Thermal grease is primarily used in the electronics and computer industries to assist a heat sink to draw heat away from a semiconductor component such as an integrated circuit or transistor." look it up, it will help u understand.

[@dvornyak]

8 years later. Hello again!

[@DeViLzzz2006]

OMG Linus I am not sure about that drug reference at the beginning but loved the ending. I like these new Techquickie videos.

[@Jess_Atomoxetine]

I like how the verge did it, just dollop it on

[@chronofusion]

Coretemp has been pretty accurate for me for year. Decent case. The only or main thing I dislike about it is there is no ceiling ventilation and that the PSU is at the top like older style cases. Ceiling ventilation can easily make a 10 C positive difference towards better temps. Not sure if you need to repaste or not. If you haven't tried it yet, perhaps that is in order..just MAKE SURE. If you're going to use isopropyl alcohol that you use it that is as close to 100% as possible.

[@bloodyjosh2]

It usually wont effect performance if it's a "lil too much", but some high end thermal paste is conductive so if you see it leaking off the sides clean it up and try again asap.

[@augustjim]

Wouldn't applying just a pea size thermal paste on the center of the heat spreader or die be efficient enough? Underneath it, it's just a tiny relfected silicon chip. As long as you got a thin layer of paste on top, it doesn't matter if the paste doesn't make good contact with the far corners, does it?

[@petkopeet]

Hey guys i think i have done everything wrong with applying paste. First i think i put toomuch, because i put like 2 lines on cpu, and 2 lines on cooler then smearing it evenly with plastic card. I assembled the cooler to the cpu like 2 times to check how it looks. I think the excess of the paste went out from the sides of aasemblement :). But my idle temps on 4690k stock 3.5ghz are +/- 27C. Should i bother to do it correctly, or leavy it alone. Paste i used was arctic silver with thermalright macho rev b.

[@briancco8751]

+petkopeet i want this comment on top so they can reply.. as this is interesting one.. what happen if the thermal paste gets closer to the pins?

[@LinkinPark4Ever1996]

B Rich Thermal paste is conductive, so you'll end up with shortening the circuits of your Mobo and eventually Cpu, Gpu, Rams and so on.. Depends.

[@coolmoviewatcher]

+LINKINPARK4EVER1996 *Some* thermal pastes are conductive, you have to be VERY careful with those. If you don't have experience with thermal paste, just avoid it. A lot of thermal pastes nowadays aren't electrically conductive and will be nicer to you if you mess up. Either way, be careful and don't rub thermal paste all over your motherboard.

[@LinkinPark4Ever1996]

Sam Watson Didn't knew that, thanks. Anyway it's easy to apply if you follow a couple of steps

[@najeebal-shabibi9394]

+Sam Watson i coated my motherbord, and my ram all thermle pasta because i want to make colder. is bad? im thinking doing a psu mod, i submerge the psu in thermle paste for mor thermle afficiency. in fishy tank

[@V7DKuraudo]

Wow....Incredible, I was looking for guides just a moment ago and then this showed up now that I stopped looking. =D New computer tomorrow!!! ^^

[@aristodelo]

Haha, there are actually hardcore drinkers in the house, but I can get 100% pure IPA from my workplace. Case is actually CM 311plus, it has PSU installed btm with transparent panel at the side, but no top ventilation. Thanks mate, for the help !

[@drivethelightning]

Had an aio fan "bite the dust" so I'm swapping my 2 120mm case fans to my rad and installing a new 120 and 140 in my case. I had some thermal paste and it's been 4 or 5 years so I figured why not.

[@catsoften]

This video inspired me to check the temperatures on my cpu. The fan didn't change speed. Something wasn't set right in my fan control program.

[@JapmeetSingh]

I only applied it on the CPU part. I was very careful to NOT to put it anywhere else, lol. Thanks for the clarification !

[@RenegadeFury]

damn linus is ripped

[@scottster8858]

I think your display is damaged

[@WindPortal]

🥵

[@DB-47]

For cleaning old thermal paste from CPU IHS and heatsink plate I always used vodka and it never failed. I even rescued i7 4770K with thermal paste on contact pads, now it works for year stable even under OCCT tests :) However what suprises me, that you clean CPU, while it is still in socket and taking risk of bending pins in socket

[@Dam13nL]

I use little cloths designed for rubbing/cleaning the skin before giving a shot, found at pharmacies, it works well. It is creepy to put the paste on for the first time, but if you take your time and do enough research, as anything else with builds it's not really difficult.

[@fastman05]

The next Techquickie video on how to install and set a RAID configuration. I always chuckle to myself on the endings. There very funny.

[@TalesOfWar]

I find soft kitchen roll is better than TP. Fewer bits being left behind and it doesn't break up as much. ArctiClean also do some awesome cleaning solutions, which has an added bonus of smelling like orange rather than strong alcohol lol.

[@techquickie]

Exactly the point of this channel :)

[@numerat0r]

I asked for this video 2 days ago and Linus made it already ..although he didn't replied to me that he was gonna do it or not:)

[@Omari1125]

The intro was EPIC.

[@Coles_notes]

I would not use toilet paper, but coffee filters make a great substitute if you don't have a lint free cloth. Also I would not recommend touching the top of the cpu or the bottom of the heatsink after you have cleaned it. The oils from you fingers can transfer and cause heat spots.

[@iTsAnthraxx]

I use coffee filters, doesn't leave behind lint and very effective.

[@Rimuru_0808]

you can also use cotton buds to completely wipe out all of the old paste .. just dip it in the iso. alcohol and clean it :)

[@TheSephix57]

The kentucky way is the most eficient way to install thermal paste.

[@magnesiummule405]

What is the kentucky way?

[@FayyaazAhmed]

We'll never know i guess :(

[@BenieTheDragon]

MagnesiumMule I assume lots of Bourbon.

[@aeternalis]

MagnesiumMule I'm from Kentucky. You just slap some sweet tea on the IHS and you're good.

[@silentpoet1988]

I found coffee filters work really well for the last step they git rid of all the bits of toilet paper don't know if its a good idea or not but I have never had it cause any problems.

[@chronofusion]

Probably once per 2 years I think. I did it that often monitored the cpu temps daily for the entire time and not once did i see temps skyrocket at any time. I suppose the type of hsf or liquid cooling option may alter that time frame. I'm not sure beyond that.

[@jamakasis18]

Can you use vodka or nail polish remover? :D

[@SuperDynaZty]

***** what if i only used paper and no liquid?

[@CaptainBeefy]

00:00 He has done this before you can tell

[@kidsafe]

IC Diamond is very thick, but still easy to spread. It's actually quite a bit harder than other compounds that it has a polishing effect on heatspreaders and heatsink bases. Something to consider if you ever think you might need a replacement CPU under warranty. Overall it's my favorite compound too as its given me up to 1C better temps than MX-4, which is also good. Stay away from the liquid metal products...

[@brady1045]

What a wild intro dude 😂😂

[@elkapitan75]

Use a non woven swab to clean. There won't be torn left overs. You can get it at any pharmacy.

[@RedmilesShark]

Used Arcticlean and put down Arctic mx-4, with a Scythe grand kama cross 2. Temperatures got 15-17 dagrees celsius lower.

[@TheForce_Productions]

Before to thinking on thermal compound better to get a good cooler and heatsink, not that stock junk; if you'll keep the stock cooler nevermind the thermal compound.

[@pyregeth]

OR, you can just use Everclear, used that stuff at my old work to clean off lamacoids once they were done being engraved, stuff works well.

[@TalesOfWar]

Hmm, I prefer the Noctua stuff myself. I get better temps with the NT-H1 than AS 5. Milage may vary of course.

[@Punisher9419]

I use ear cleaners and water. I find that it is safer and I get better temps this way. Only small amounts of water and lots of ear cleaners.

[@chronofusion]

Also IF you're going to use Isopropyl Alcohol. TRY to get it in as high percent as possible. The closer to 100% the more " pure" it is. Thus less chance of leaving any mixed residual/harmful things on the cpu to get mixed in with the new application of thermal paste.

[@Fnatic2010]

Can you just wipe that thermal compound without any alcohol?

[@TopiasSalakka]

***** I have always used toilet paper to get the most out and one extra pass with a microfiber cloth

[@montyfacker]

using your sleeve? this can leave behind dust or oil residue (food or similar). I usually use lensecleaner paper, that will not leave behind any particles that can inhibit performance.

[@lastmoh1989]

if it is none conductive , not really , because the pressure will get-rid of the extra paste , but it will leak to the mobo , so if it is conductive , you are in trouble, but even though most mobos have a layer of wax to lower the impact of humidity

[@RomieJayEqueGIpsyche]

i didn't know you could apply thermal paste like that, i used to smudge it all around the top of the cpu with my finger first before attaching the heat sink.

[@MC4PC]

Linus, you should do a quickie on the differnet types of computer sleep, ie s4/s5

[@tynewlin]

Don't listen to him, I thought it was hilarious! One of the reasons I keep coming back to your channels and watching all of your videos is because you have a fun personality and sense of humor. The little things like that at the beginning of the video are great little bonuses for your faithful followers.

[@Arek_R.]

But its good to mention that some of compunds that conduct electricity are better in thermal conduction. One of them is "Coollaboratory Liquid Pro" This one is also hard to use, and much different than normla paste. This one must be spreaded perfectly with eg. brush.

[@linuxgeek87]

I use a tiny bit of methylated spirits and be careful it, pretty much every one here has a big bottle of methylated spirits some where in their house. Isopropyl achohol is restricted in my country, can only get tiny bottles and its expensive, sometimes they wont even sell you a tiny bottle.

[@linuxgeek87]

***** I think people use it to make cannabis oil or something, I live in a bit of a nanny state, its a bit ridiculous. It is $8 for 50ml of 100% isopropyl achohol. When I do buy it I really do try to ration it but the stuff is so damn useful for it does not last long.

[@lolman123401]

geek wtf where do you live lol

[@lolman123401]

Oh god, another channel from Linus!

[@jonbottger]

Another way to avoid particulates from cleaning is to use something with a high weight or density like microfiber or my personal favorite: coffee filters. Another great one Linus!

[@therickman1990]

I usually take the CPU out aswell and clean the sides and edges of the IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader, the gray plate thing that contacts the bottom of the cooler you are using), not using alcohol and just wiping it of with a bit of toilet paper works fine, though I do use alcohol to clean the cpu and cooler if I happen to have any. Last but not least, using conductive thermal paste is fine as long as you dont get it on any electrical components, usually this means the CPU has to have an IHS, all Intel desktop CPU's have them from the Pentium 4 and up, notebooks can be a exception and I've no idea about AMD CPU's as I've had maybe 2 AMD CPU's in the past 10 years.

[@chronofusion]

1. Which gen? Sandy bridge or Ivy? 2. What case is it installed in? 3. Stock fans in the case that came with it? 4. Room ambient temperature? Beyond that, it does seem alittle high for idle. From what I've researched and see from my friend's 3470 ivy bridge it really shouldn't idle higher than 36 to 38c at 71 degrees F room ambient temp with a decent case stock fans stock included intel cpu hsf. My 1090t amd cpu maxes at 56c with Handbrake full load on all 6 cores. Zalman 9500a 40% speed

[@aditya1421997]

its ok if the thermal paste is only on the cpu metal part but if u had applied the thermal p son some part of the motherboard it can trouble the motherboard cuz it will make electrical charge pass through the thermal paste and can create a short circuit and your motherboard will die if u have not applyed TP on motherboard and only the upper part of the cpu you are good to go :D

[@kidbest100]

Do a video on how to use hotswap bays and / or Hard drive cages

[@thefinder8087]

That intro was great

[@Viktorsimo1]

best guide ever

[@Sp4rXoR]

LOL! turn on subtitles, in english, go to 1:05 and watch the translation of "my wipe is to dirty to clean anything" this is awesome! :D

[@JTK699]

This works great with Intel/AMD stock heatsink but I wouldn't try this method with a bigger/better heatsink. Old fashion ways are better. Make a X with the compound then spread it evenly with a plastic card. I guess everyone has different method. I'd love to see you clean a fan ;)

[@hgpot]

When I got my first aftermarket cooler, I never used anything but stock that had already had the paste applied. Now I had to apply for myself thermal paste. So what did I do? I used it ALL. I dreamt of overclocking with my new cooler but stock clock didn't even happen because Intel SpeedStep kept it very low because even that made it idle at 99C. I couldn't fix it for far too long (by the time I had gotten new paste, because like I said I used ALL of it). A pea-size gives me 45C idle, 61C load.

[@frollard]

As said a hundred times in a hundred comments -- you don't overclock 'as fast as possible' you take your time and read a LOT, and learn a LOT or you burn out your new toy.

[@123william098]

it fills in microscopic gaps between the heat sink and the CPU to aid cooling

[@earwigy1990]

My problem with IC Diamond is, I bought a grip ton of it because I take my computer apart often. It is so much thicker and unspreadable than silver, I just went back to silver. I could not get the diamond to spread. I tried by hand first, and it wouldn't move. I then tried the pressure method and I got terrible temps. It would just not move at all. I have an H80 BTW.

[@epicmetalness]

some times i use the cuff of my sock to cleal the old paste off, does that make me a bad pc person ?

[@pangeltveit]

I also use IC Diamond. Do you heat up the IC Diamond in hot water before applying? if not, you should as it spreads easier ;)

[@ghostster]

I put my own seamen glue on my intel fan and it did not work :(

[@LatiosBlade]

So when do we change the thermal compound like is there a standard of when it looks dried out or it's just looks dirty like oil changes?

[@Primate541]

Before watching this video I got an advertisement about the dangers of using ice as in methamphetamine then this loaded. Wasn't sure what to expect.

[@TheGameTeddy]

It says "LinusTechTips uploaded a video" on my subscfiption feed o.O but this is Techquickie.. I can't comprehended...

[@astreetcone1497]

That motherboard has amazing heatsinks

[@andreas_ak]

What is the difference in applying thermal paste between the HDT cooler and the flat nickel plated base plate cooler like the NH-D14? Can the pea size method work optimally with the HDT cooler?

[@lecobain88]

I used an unmarked Thermal Paste and my 5820k was 35 degrees. I bought a Deepcool Z5 and now it's not below 43 ° C. Hard to understand...

[@XphoebusapolloX]

Only Linus would have a favorite Thermal Compound

[@chronofusion]

Not bragging about the handbrake comment. Just trying to give some point of comparative reference the closest that I can until i can afford to build my 3570k new gaming machine in a few months along with the 8350 gaming machine for direct comparison.

[@jinpalermo]

Theres no like button on iphones :( ive been trying to like all the videos i watched from you

[@0oNoFateo0]

Can you make video about cleaning the lcd/led soft tuch pannel. Becouse mine is so nasty and i dont know how to clean it...

[@GrenadeApple3]

dat intro, god I am in love with this man. (Why am I in love with all canadians?)

[@Antopc2]

it goes everywhere when you put the heatsink (and some thermal compound is conductive (could short motherboard) and your temp rises (thermal compount is worse than metal to transfer heat) So you don t want too much but you don t want too little at the same time.

[@omergndz5]

Linus's face is so nice, he should play on a TV Ad...

[@Ben-Stevenson-Video-Editor]

the stock cooler. i know about the aftermarket coolers that do work a lot better but i havent got any money for that unfortunately. my problem isnt the cooler though, its the temperature and heat that i dont understand. even the AMD website says that it shouldnt go over 62 degrees

[@skifree0]

only on the last stage, coffee filters dont leave anything but they also cannot wipe as well as something like toilet paper. i recommend toilet paper+alcohol for the first 2 passes. then use alcohol+coffee filter. and then use just plain coffee filter.

[@reviewthefuture]

I found the beginning of this video hilarious!

[@Ben-Stevenson-Video-Editor]

already re-pasted it twice and the last one was with my dad. and i need some more compressed air for that. ive already run through as much as i can think of to try and help it but so far, nothing as really helped so for now im just leaving it