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Thermal paste application methods compared after my Ryzen ran hot for months

I always used the pea method for CPU thermal paste, but after my Ryzen 5600X hit 95C under load for 3 months, I switched to spreading it thin with a card. Turns out the paste I was using needed full coverage because of the tiny chiplets, and now my temps dropped to 75C. Anyone else find that the application method matters way more with certain CPUs or thermal pastes?
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2 Comments
karenlane
karenlane2d ago
My 3700X saw a 12 degree drop when I stopped using the line method and went with a thin spread. The paste I used was too thick to properly push out under the IHS without some help. It really depends on the paste's viscosity more than people think.
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wendy205
wendy2052d ago
Viscosity really changes everything, just like how different pancake batter spreads on the griddle.
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