Thread: Artic silver 5.

OK so i am getting a new heatsink and i was wondering what is the best method of applying my artic silver 5 so i would love to know what the best technique is thank you!!

Originally Posted by Suka#1

OK so i am getting a new heatsink and i was wondering what is the best method of applying my artic silver 5 so i would love to know what the best technique is thank you!!

It tells u on the container. Make sure u get the articlean remover and surface purifier as well.

When I applied AS5, I used the recommended method from the Arctic Silver website: Arctic Silver Incorporated - Route to Product Instructions for Arctic Silver 5

Seemed to work fine.

All you need for cleaning is Isopropyl Alcohol (91%). Don't spend money on the other stuff.

I personally recommend Arctic MX-4. It will yield lower temps and has no cure time like Arctic Silver 5. If you already purchased the AS5, you are fine as it is still a good TIM, but just not the best anymore. Here is an article comparing several different TIMs:

Arctic Cooling MX-4 Thermal Compound - Testing and Results :: TweakTown USA Edition

The Arctic MX-4 wasn't the best compound, but it out performed the AS5 by a degree or two in almost every test. It isn't that expensive either, which is why the review gave the MX-4 the "best value" award.

What I usually do:

1. Clean the heatsink and CPU with Isopropyl Alcohol (91%) and a q-tip and allow it to dry.
2. Squirt about the size of 2 grains of rice on the heatsink and rub it around with your finger thats wrapped in a sandwich bag (ghetto, but cheap). Make sure to cover the entire area, not really worrying about it being even (this fills in all the inconsistencies on the heatsink).
3. Clean the heatsink again with the Isopropyl Alcohol (91%) & q-tip and let dry.
4. Apply the compound (about the size of a grain of rice) off-center depending on which side your heathsink is going to clip in (so basically closer to the hinge, not the bracket thats being snapped into place). You can also use these instructions -- Arctic Silver Incorporated - Route to Product Instructions for Arctic Silver 5
5. Clip in the heatsink.