Consider the choice carefully: a spatula or not?
Consider the choice carefully: a spatula or not?
The thermal paste was included with a spatula, but I haven’t used one before. I’m unsure about the right amount or how much to spread it with the paste. Should I use the spatula or stick to my usual ‘X’ pattern? (Ryzen 3600; no intention to overclock, but I need solid cooling for quiet performance.)
It doesn't matter. The heatsink pressure will expel excess. I only suggest spreading the paste on direct dies, such as GPUs. You can use the tool or your finger.
It's actually quite challenging to mess this up unless you take an extreme approach like applying a large amount of paste. As long as you perform standard checks on a fresh build—such as running benchmarks and monitoring temperatures—you'll quickly identify any issues. Just make sure it doesn't leak onto the motherboard, or you won't have too many problems.
The fluid might seep outward from the IHS and could potentially flow onto adjacent parts when it warms up.
You can clean away any minor surplus as needed, but it won't affect the result.