How long should you leave CPU paste to dry?

KugarWeb · 02-05-2009, 09:33 AM

Hey guys,

After having some problems with paste last night, I wiped both the cooler and the processor clean with white spirit and some paper towel and started again with some new paste which I ordered online (the make is Asaka).

Anyway, after reattaching the CPU cooler/heatsink and standing the case back up again (after a gap of about half hour), after a few minutes the cooler slipped but didn't manage to go any further to damage anything.

I know it was probably a bit of a stupid thing to move it so soon after doing the paste but this is my first build so I'm a bit naive

.

How long should I leave the paste drying and how should I make sure the cooler is stuck well to the processor?

**linderman** · 02-05-2009, 11:39 AM

the paste is NOT an adhesive

the paste carries microscopic particles of silver ....... these particules are used to bidge the microscopic pits in the metal cover of the cpu ?????? the paste wont get fully dry for almost a year .......... then you will need a frsh coating when it does get fully dry?

the heat sink should have its own method for attachment ........ thats not the job of the thermal grease

KugarWeb · 02-05-2009, 12:28 PM

Ah...whoops lol.

Okay, well I'm having a couple of problems attaching my heatsink/cpu cooler to my motherboard then :(. I've got the brackets but it's really fiddly and I'm trying to think of an easier way to attach it to my mobo. The manual that came with the cooler is useless, lots of tiny pictures and the downloadable version isn't much better :(.

My mobo is a Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L and my CPU Cooler is a Gigabyte G-Power Pro GH-PDU21-MF.

**wrench97** · 02-05-2009, 01:38 PM

Are you trying to do this in the case or on the bench?
Set the heat sink and motherboard up outside the case on the bench.
How to Bench Test Your System

KugarWeb · 02-05-2009, 05:43 PM

Ah...I've been meaning to get back to this thread all night :). I took the mobo out onto the bench and used the supplied mounts and now the cooler isn't going anywhere.

I rocked it gently and it's moving along with the mobo so that's a sure sign it's secure, plus the mounts are directly over the "feet" of the cooler so there'll be no future problems of it even minorly slipping out of place :).

**linderman** · 02-05-2009, 05:46 PM

now youre cookin with the stove on!!

02-05-2009, 09:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
KugarWeb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 28 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	How long should you leave CPU paste to dry? Hey guys, After having some problems with paste last night, I wiped both the cooler and the processor clean with white spirit and some paper towel and started again with some new paste which I ordered online (the make is Asaka). Anyway, after reattaching the CPU cooler/heatsink and standing the case back up again (after a gap of about half hour), after a few minutes the cooler slipped but didn't manage to go any further to damage anything. I know it was probably a bit of a stupid thing to move it so soon after doing the paste but this is my first build so I'm a bit naive . How long should I leave the paste drying and how should I make sure the cooler is stuck well to the processor?

02-05-2009, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: How long should you leave CPU paste to dry? the paste is NOT an adhesive the paste carries microscopic particles of silver ....... these particules are used to bidge the microscopic pits in the metal cover of the cpu ?????? the paste wont get fully dry for almost a year .......... then you will need a frsh coating when it does get fully dry? the heat sink should have its own method for attachment ........ thats not the job of the thermal grease __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-05-2009, 12:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
KugarWeb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 28 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Re: How long should you leave CPU paste to dry? Ah...whoops lol. Okay, well I'm having a couple of problems attaching my heatsink/cpu cooler to my motherboard then :(. I've got the brackets but it's really fiddly and I'm trying to think of an easier way to attach it to my mobo. The manual that came with the cooler is useless, lots of tiny pictures and the downloadable version isn't much better :(. My mobo is a Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L and my CPU Cooler is a Gigabyte G-Power Pro GH-PDU21-MF.

02-05-2009, 01:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,521 OS: Win7	Re: How long should you leave CPU paste to dry? Are you trying to do this in the case or on the bench? Set the heat sink and motherboard up outside the case on the bench. How to Bench Test Your System __________________ Power Supply and Selection

02-05-2009, 05:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
KugarWeb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 28 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Re: How long should you leave CPU paste to dry? Ah...I've been meaning to get back to this thread all night :). I took the mobo out onto the bench and used the supplied mounts and now the cooler isn't going anywhere. I rocked it gently and it's moving along with the mobo so that's a sure sign it's secure, plus the mounts are directly over the "feet" of the cooler so there'll be no future problems of it even minorly slipping out of place :).

02-05-2009, 05:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: How long should you leave CPU paste to dry? now youre cookin with the stove on!! __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 02-05-2009 at 05:51 PM.