NCIX Tech Tips #11- Installing Thermal Compound

Microfiber Cloth, is that basically the same cloth used for cleaning glasses?

u would probably die.

So its not neccecary to spread the compound im gonig to install a new CPU fan on the i7-920...

i m a fan of small blob, toilet roll, and just spread it with your finger, taking compound off till you just cannot spread it any more- as little as possible should be there.(wipe excess on toilet roll) Just do NOT touch your mobo with thermal compond on your finger. The fact you can use touch to judge the right amount is a bonus.

you'd be fine.

How come some people spread the thermal compound before mounting on the Heatsink? Which is the best way just put a glob in the center and let the the Heatsink spread the thermal compound? Or spread it before adding the heat sink? Im just new to this computer hobby thing. =/

Just let the heatsink spread the glob itself accordingly. This is the best way to get a perfect spread as pressure between the heatspreader and heatsink distributes the compound perfectly and makes it almost impossible for air bubbles to remain between the surfaces. There is no need to spread it out yourself. Spreading it out properly yourself is unnecessarily difficult and could even create airbubbles which results in heat spots on the CPU.

For single core CPUs: apply a glob in the center.
For multi core CPUs: apply a short and thin horizontal line across the cores.

pro tip: less is more.

Hmm, cooper