I had the best cpu seating I've ever had this week.

[HeXploiT]

By chance I've had the best cpu seating I think I've ever had this week. Usually 27c is the very bottom I will hit at the initial setting with my e8400 & Zalmon 9700.
Here's the way I've done it in the past. Drop of as5 on the heatsink and spread it out as thinly & evenly as possible but not so thin that there is transparency to the paste. (Always remove excess paste)
Only apply paste to the heatsink not the cpu. Then the heatsink goes on and is usually twisted in any direction about 20 degrees. This time I made sure there was no twist and the heatsink went straight down with the screw holes lining up perfectly. The result is an initial cpu temp of 23c. A drop of 4c. I think I've finally perfected it after all these years.:)

[jcniest5]

I've always applied paste to the CPU (or IHS), not the heatsink, and I never twist anything. Perhaps I should try your method and see how much of a difference it makes.

[HeXploiT]

I've always applied paste to the CPU (or IHS), not the heatsink, and I never twist anything. Perhaps I should try your method and see how much of a difference it makes.

Really I think the only difference in applying it to the heatsink is that you can hold it in your hand comfortably and firmly and therefor have more control/precision during application.
I've always found it more akword(did I spell that right?) attempting to apply it to the cpu.