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Xeb's Guide to Applying IC7 and Other Thick TIMs

35K views 109 replies 33 participants last post by  uracoin 
#1 ·
Can be used for other TIMs!!!!!

This is how I go about applying IC7 to anything (or any other viscous TIM like Shin whatever).

1. You NEED to run it under hot water for about 2-3 minutes so it is easier to get out of the tube.

***Ignore this if you have MX-2, AS5, etc*****

2. You cannot spread it, so you have to put a glob in the dead center of your CPU.
I recommend using a 6-7mm (I used about an 8mm) glob for people using a HDT cooler like the s1283 and for everyone else, use a 5-6mm glob.

3. Take heat sinks and put it down onto the processor and apply some pressure (if you are on a table, you can apply a good amount pressure. And my a good amount, I mean about 3-5 pounds of pressure if you want).

4. Tighten down the heat sink. And put the fan back on the heat sink.

5. Turn your computer on and really stress it hard for 2 hours (Intel Burn Test or OCCT LinPack) to break in the compound.
6. Enjoy.
 
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#2 ·
Good guide, though I personally prefer the lines-between-pipes method for HDT coolers. It's a little messy, but this worked out quite well for me with Freeze Extreme on the Thor's Hammer:



I did actually clean up the pipes a little bit, but between the pipes was still like that.
 
#3 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunky_Chimp View Post
Good guide, though I personally prefer the lines-between-pipes method for HDT coolers. It's a little messy, but this worked out quite well for me with Freeze Extreme on the Thor's Hammer:



I did actually clean up the pipes a little bit, but between the pipes was still like that.
I have actually found out that is the worst way to put TIM on those kinds of coolers.... But with IC7 and other viscous TIMs you really do not have a choice but to use my guide.... (truse me after several (at least 7 or 8) reseats and stress testing).

For HDT coolers I have found that if you were to take TIM and place it on the base of the cooler and spread it around till the groves are filled it then scrap off the excesses. Then use that excess and some more TIM on the CPU and spread it around pretty evenly (you need a layer about 1-2 paper sheets thick), then press it down making sure you do not lift the cooler. Tighten it and your good to go
 
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#4 ·
I'm not sure about that, since you're using a cooler with one less pipe contacting a smaller CPU. The method you suggest sounds like I would need to use TOO MUCH TIM, which isn't a good thing. Freeze only needs enough to cover the CPU's IHS, no more, no less, which means only putting TIM on either the cooler or the CPU, not both.
 
#5 ·
I use "too much" because it squeezes out of the gaps <.< But usually I only do about a paper sheet thick layer.
 
#6 ·
Man. Lord, your system must be so loud. Bit off topic, but im wondering if you use headphones or something.
 
#7 ·
I ordered the IC7 cause I ran out of MX-2. Also I'm going to be reinstalling my Dark Knight. DK is an HDT cooler, so what is a REALLY good way to apply the IC7 on those. I can't seem to get a straight answer on this anywhere.
 
#8 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Xeb View Post
I have actually found out that is the worst way to put TIM on those kinds of coolers.... But with IC7 and other viscous TIMs you really do not have a choice but to use my guide.... (truse me after several (at least 7 or 8) reseats and stress testing).

For HDT coolers I have found that if you were to take TIM and place it on the base of the cooler and spread it around till the groves are filled it then scrap off the excesses. Then use that excess and some more TIM on the CPU and spread it around pretty evenly (you need a layer about 1-2 paper sheets thick), then press it down making sure you do not lift the cooler. Tighten it and your good to go

I actually did some tests a while back and found this method was the most effective by far. HDT coolers are very different than typical heatsinks, the gaps in between pipes need to be filled in and smoothed out before even applying the normal amount of thermal paste. Doing this beforehand, then putting thin lines of TIM on the base of the heatsink between the heatpipes gave me the best temps by 1-2C.
 
#9 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockedge View Post
I ordered the IC7 cause I ran out of MX-2. Also I'm going to be reinstalling my Dark Knight. DK is an HDT cooler, so what is a REALLY good way to apply the IC7 on those. I can't seem to get a straight answer on this anywhere.
My guide is the right way but you are going to have to use a little more than usually. Us a 7mm blob in the dead center of the CPU and follow my guide.
 
#10 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by slothfish View Post
I actually did some tests a while back and found this method was the most effective by far. HDT coolers are very different than typical heatsinks, the gaps in between pipes need to be filled in and smoothed out before even applying the normal amount of thermal paste. Doing this beforehand, then putting thin lines of TIM on the base of the heatsink between the heatpipes gave me the best temps by 1-2C.
Hm... But that cannot be done with IC7 because it is so freaking thick...
 
#11 ·
bump
 
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#12 ·
I just tried your method with my new Megahalems and IC7. Right now I have my temps on idle at 6-7c over room temperature. Didn't try other methods so, I can't really tell if it's better than the regular way, but I think my temps are good. I will stress the CPU later on today when I finish with my work to cure the IC7 and see what results I get then.

+ Rep and thanks for the guide.
 
#13 ·
That is not bad.
 
#14 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by zl4y3r
View Post

I just tried your method with my new Megahalems and IC7. Right now I have my temps on idle at 6-7c over room temperature. Didn't try other methods so, I can't really tell if it's better than the regular way, but I think my temps are good. I will stress the CPU later on today when I finish with my work to cure the IC7 and see what results I get then.

+ Rep and thanks for the guide.

It should be cured by the time you get to stressing it. It just cures faster when you stress it
But you may only see a 1-2C drop max....
 
#15 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Xeb View Post
It should be cured by the time you get to stressing it. It just cures faster when you stress it
But you may only see a 1-2C drop max....

Yeah now it's at a steady 6c over ambient on IDLE. I get 18c over ambient on load (stressing with prime95 over 1 hour). I will see later how this does when overclocked. I used to have it at 4GHz but i overwrote the profile that i had saved on the bios, and now I've been too busy to try finding the exact settings i had (had to play a lot with GTLRef to get it 100% stable).
 
#17 ·
both
 
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#18 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by zl4y3r View Post
Yeah now it's at a steady 6c over ambient on IDLE. I get 18c over ambient on load (stressing with prime95 over 1 hour). I will see later how this does when overclocked. I used to have it at 4GHz but i overwrote the profile that i had saved on the bios, and now I've been too busy to try finding the exact settings i had (had to play a lot with GTLRef to get it 100% stable).
that is really good
 
#19 ·
Bump!
 
#22 ·
With IC7, you cannot do that very easily at all. Go buy some and see for yourself. This stuff is thicker than freaking toothpaste!
 
#24 ·
Yes, there will still be air pockets. They will not even out sadly.... Go and reapply it and not lift it up. It will still do fine just the way you have it but you will not have to full effect of IC7. I noticed that when I reseated my heat sink and had a good seat, my temps dropped 2C!
 
#26 ·
? You do not need that much..... How big of a glob did you have?
 
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