Build Advice How to apply thermal compound the right way?

What is the right and most effective way to apply thermal compound? There is all kinds of theories out there which made me think and question if I am doing it the right way. Is it more effective to spread around cpu after applying thermal paste or just make a blob in middle and put heatsink on? Look at thi

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=fRRWbQUqW1Y​

s video. Is he doing it right?

 

Just a dab or a line in the middle where the actual die sits underneath the heatspreader is best imho, and it's also the most clean way to do it.
The thermal compound spreads pretty much evenly across the crucial part, when the cooler is set in place and covering the whole heatspreader usually results in way too much thermal compund being applied.

EDIT: Correct link for your video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRRWbQUqW1Y

Here's a good video of showing the dab-method with a plexiglass -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

 

Than why does item such as this comes with applicator? Also TechPowerUp using this installation method. What's more effective guys?

 

Siwini, you can put the thermal paste the way you want it.
They are 2 popular methods.

The first, is to apply a pea size thermal paste at the center of the CPU, and install the heatsink.

The second is to apply a thin layer of thermal paste on the CPU spreading it evenly... just enough so that you can't see the text engraved on the CPU, but not more. If the heatsink contact is not polished, apply an ultra thin layer on that one (you should see the metal). And then install it.

First method is the easiest.

Second method ensures that you have contact everywhere on the chip. Ideal if the shape is rectangular or something put in a metal box enclosure, where you don't know it's position.

Both should provide you with similar cooling results.

 

Gracias

 

It's pretty difficult to mess up. Just put a smallish pea sized blob in the middle or as a line, less with TIM like coollab liquid metal where a rice grain sized amount is enough. Then mount CPU. Even if you've done it pretty badly you'll get a rise of 4-5 C in temps. Maybe.

 

I'd say a small pea sized blob and then put the cooler ontop of that, plenty of pressure from a decent cooler and mount will do the rest, and it covers the most important area