When applying thermal paste to the CPU, once the "BB or pea sized" amount is applied, do you simply attach the heat sink and let the paste spread from pressure or do you spread it out evenly over the CPU and them put the heat sink on?
Thanks!
I don't use that method as IHS may be slightly concave in, causing TIM to stay dead center instead of spreading. Even if it spread, you can't be sure if the spread covers portion where the cores are.
Note that a fingerprint can increase temp by as least 5 degree, let alone hair, fur or dirt. Use 90%+ alcohol and use the cloth that people clean their glasses with as the last pass.
I found one of the two works best. First, find out where the cores are underneath the IHS, draw one straight line with TIM across the longest side of the die of the CPU. Place HS on top and slowing increase the pressure and turn the heatsink in both direction (about 1-3 degree clockwise and counter-clockwise) until it feels the TIM has spread out.
The second method is to find a thin plastic(overhead slide), thinner then your credit card, and cut out the shape of the die, then place this plastic on top of IHS, fill the center with TIM and spread the TIM with an unused credit card. At the end the thickness of the TIM will be identical to the thickness of the plastic you use, and the surface of the TIM should not have bumbs and exceed TIMs are left of plastic. Lift up the plastic before placing the HS back. With this method you don't need to worry about pressure and turning as much as the TIM is already overing the die.