Best Way To Apply TIM - Shin-Etsu X23 (Solved.)

[NKrader]

Title says it all. heard its some tough stuff to install.??


NK

[tool_462]

I won't tout it as the "best" method but after 100 applications of the stuff the easiest and most effective method I have found is to put the syringe in a cup of warm/hot (from the tap) water for a minute or two and then put a small bead across the die of the CPU (varies depending what CPU exactly)

I have noticed that this stuff can indicate if your IHS/block have any residue from cleaners though, if the surfaces are clean (ie: alcohol or AS cleaning solution) it will stick pretty well, if they aren't (ie: lighter fluid/just rubbed clean with a towel) it won't stick well at all.

[iandh]

The best way I've found to apply is to heat the block and CPU IHS with a hairdryer until they are both nice and toasty.

If you place a hot drop of TIM onto a cold IHS, the TIM will get cold before you can get the block on, pretty much totally defeating the purpose of warming (other than getting it out of the tube more easily).

If you preheat the IHS and block though, it keeps the TIM warm as you tighten the block, helping to get a nice thin layer.

[NaeKuh]

u put some in your mouth.

chew on it a few times, and then spit it out on the cpu.

Should get it all nice and soft.. and then clamp on!

do not take me seriously...

It normally depends for me on the cpu.
Q series dual die, i will put 2 pea size dots on approx location of die and then mount block.

I7, i do a line down the long side in the middle, and 2 dots on each side, and then clamp.

[seeka12]

u put some in your mouth.

chew on it a few times, and then spit it out on the cpu.

Should get it all nice and soft.. and then clamp on!

do not take me seriously...

LOL,can you tell me how does this candy taste?!

[NKrader]

u put some in your mouth.

chew on it a few times, and then spit it out on the cpu.

Should get it all nice and soft.. and then clamp on!

do not take me seriously...

It normally depends for me on the cpu.
Q series dual die, i will put 2 pea size dots on approx location of die and then mount block.

I7, i do a line down the long side in the middle, and 2 dots on each side, and then clamp.

nuh uhh ur a lier..

thanks

[meanmoe]

I dot dot, twist twist, and mount slow and easy. It's awkward trying to get this stuff to go down in a line. I never thought about heating the IHS.

[NKrader]

I dot dot, twist twist, and mount slow and easy. It's awkward trying to get this stuff to go down in a line. I never thought about heating the IHS.

lol its not that bad.. is almost the same as as5... was easy mount..

[tool_462]

If you place a hot drop of TIM onto a cold IHS, the TIM will get cold before you can get the block on, pretty much totally defeating the purpose of warming (other than getting it out of the tube more easily).

I only do it to get the TIM out of the tube easier and it sticks much better to the IHS by heating the TIM. I just let my CPU's convenient source of heat do the spreading

[INFRNL]

i place the syringe on the back end of my gpu for a few and warms it up quite quickly. gets plenty warm to stay soft enough to mount heatsink. but thr dryer idea sounds good as well

[NKrader]

i just set it on the back of my reciver while I was cleaning old tim off then it was perfect.. just did the pea method im like 10c cooler now across the board..

[tool_462]

i just set it on the back of my reciver while I was cleaning old tim off then it was perfect.. just did the pea method im like 10c cooler now across the board..

Nice! I have basically every popular (and some unpopular) TIMs and the best performance I get is consistently Shin Etsu X23. I know some reviews show others topping it, but I have been unable to reproduce anything that beats my beloved X23.

Luckily we did a "group buy" on another forum and paid only $1.25 per tube or so

[NKrader]

yea i woulda got indigo but im too poor at the moment.. paid like 4$

[iandh]

I only do it to get the TIM out of the tube easier and it sticks much better to the IHS by heating the TIM. I just let my CPU's convenient source of heat do the spreading

I know what you're saying... just some of these TIM's are so thick that even after a couple weeks of heat and mounting pressure I've popped the block just to see a pitiful partial spread with thick layer of TIM still sitting there.

It almost seems like the particle structure in some of them will become "locked" if you apply high pressure when cold... kinda like with the cornstarch solution from science class.

It really depends on what you're using though.

[NKrader]

I know what you're saying... just some of these TIM's are so thick that even after a couple weeks of heat and mounting pressure I've popped the block just to see a pitiful partial spread with thick layer of TIM still sitting there.

It almost seems like the particle structure in some of them will become "locked" if you apply high pressure when cold... kinda like with the cornstarch solution from science class.

It really depends on what you're using though.

i dont know how the spread is as i dont like pulling back up and giving it a chance to get air.. but temps are like 10c lower than ciramique

[iandh]

i dont know how the spread is as i dont like pulling back up and giving it a chance to get air.. but temps are like 10c lower than ciramique

Sweet, well that would be good enough for me...

[Vampiyer]

I had to use that same hair dryer method to apply IC Diamond TIM.

The first IC7 sample I got never made it out of the tube... I think it was a bad batch

I have some x23-7783D here as well, and it's a little easier, but I still use that same method.

[washu9]

Nice tip, took me ages to apply my X23.
And I already cleaned mine with 90% alcohol.

Using the preheat method should gain better results.

I wasted so much of the X23 cause it was so hard to apply.

[NKrader]

u put some in your mouth.

chew on it a few times, and then spit it out on the cpu.

Should get it all nice and soft.. and then clamp on!

do not take me seriously...

It normally depends for me on the cpu.
Q series dual die, i will put 2 pea size dots on approx location of die and then mount block.

I7, i do a line down the long side in the middle, and 2 dots on each side, and then clamp.

haha was just sitting here at my desk, was holding this stuff cuz it was just sittin on my desk lol and i put it in my mouth like pencil.. lol thought of this thread almost instantly..