Heat compound.

BigE · 11th April 2011, 02:34 AM

I've read that too much is no good.

But, how much is too much?

I applied it with a brush. One coat, so you can't see the metal. Is that too much?

Steve Eddy · 11th April 2011, 02:54 AM

A brush can create a lot of furrows with excess compound.

What I do is use a single edge razor blade rather like a squeegee to create a very thin, consistent coat.

Remember, the only useful purpose of the compound is to fill the very small voids between the device and the heatsink, not to create a layer of compound between the device and the heatsink.

se

TheLaw117 · 11th April 2011, 02:59 AM

All you really want to do is fill in the tiny pores/blemishes in the heatsink and on the chip and then you want a small film so the heatsink can make sufficient contact with the chip. It's almost impossible to get a chip completely flat against your heatsink, so your compound will also give you a little big of leeway.

Seriously, very little. I used to be in the computer hardware scene, and even a tad too much can make your temperatures skyrocket. So keep it thin.

DF96 · 11th April 2011, 10:50 AM

Assuming it is the normal white stuff, then unless you can see through most of it it is too thick.

Also important to carefully deburr any fixing holes you have drilled.

Arty · 12th April 2011, 09:04 PM

-> the razor blade trick is best.
I usualy do that to both the chip and the heatsink, when i finish it is at first sight hard to notice the layer. (usual white stuff used by pcguru's)

BigE · 13th April 2011, 08:41 PM

I guess I used a bit much on the MJ15024's since I can't actually see through it.

A razor is probably a good idea...

Thanks

11th April 2011, 02:34 AM	#1
BigE diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto	Heat compound. I've read that too much is no good. But, how much is too much? I applied it with a brush. One coat, so you can't see the metal. Is that too much?

11th April 2011, 02:54 AM	#2
Steve Eddy diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA	A brush can create a lot of furrows with excess compound. What I do is use a single edge razor blade rather like a squeegee to create a very thin, consistent coat. Remember, the only useful purpose of the compound is to fill the very small voids between the device and the heatsink, not to create a layer of compound between the device and the heatsink. se __________________ Q Keeping it simple since 1998

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11th April 2011, 02:59 AM	#3
TheLaw117 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2010	All you really want to do is fill in the tiny pores/blemishes in the heatsink and on the chip and then you want a small film so the heatsink can make sufficient contact with the chip. It's almost impossible to get a chip completely flat against your heatsink, so your compound will also give you a little big of leeway. Seriously, very little. I used to be in the computer hardware scene, and even a tad too much can make your temperatures skyrocket. So keep it thin.

11th April 2011, 10:50 AM	#4
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Assuming it is the normal white stuff, then unless you can see through most of it it is too thick. Also important to carefully deburr any fixing holes you have drilled.

12th April 2011, 09:04 PM	#5
Arty diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011	-> the razor blade trick is best. I usualy do that to both the chip and the heatsink, when i finish it is at first sight hard to notice the layer. (usual white stuff used by pcguru's)

13th April 2011, 08:41 PM	#6
BigE diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto	I guess I used a bit much on the MJ15024's since I can't actually see through it. A razor is probably a good idea... Thanks

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