How to apply thermal paste?

i think ive figured out how to remove the stock heatsink, now to figure out how to apply thermal paste.





i know how to get it off, just not how to get it on!





i have a C2D E8500, whats the correct method of application ( by method i mean rice grains, strips etc)





if you can find any pics on net that would be really helpful.





BTW: the new heatsink has NO thermal paste/tape, do i need to put it on that aswell?How to apply thermal paste?
On dual-core CPUs, you apply the paste on the chip's heat spreader down the middle from top to bottom. Just a line of paste the same width and one and a half times as long as an uncooked grain of rice.





When I say 'middle' I mean the center when the text printed on the chip is oriented correctly.





Once you have that on, install the heatsink. You should try to wiggle the heatsink just a nudge to the left and right before you finally snap it in.How to apply thermal paste?
Ok, if the old thermal paste is off. basically apply a very very very small amount about 1/4th size of your pinky nail and then spread the paste evenly across the surface of the cpu then put the heatsink back on.
Applying thermal paste is a simple task, but you must take your time as with all things. Remember what the thermal paste does. It gives better conduction between the heatsink and CPU/GPU because it fills in all those little imperfections on the heatsink that cause poor conduction due to having air in them. You only need as much thermal paste as it takes to fill in these little holes/divots.





To apply it, you put a little drop, little being about the size of a rice grain and so it doesn't squeeze out when the sink is reapplied. Once you have the right amount of TIM (will vary depending on the application, GPU will uses less than a CPU with a IHS) you spread it out as thin as you can get it. Heatsinks that are not lapped generally require more thermal paste.
Thermal paste is supplied in dispenser tubes. You simply squeeze some from the tube onto the top off the chip.
Arctic Silver 5. I apply two grains of rice, put the cap back on and use the round cap to spread it around evenly. Apply to cpu or hsf, not both.
I use Arctic Silver.





The application instructions come on the pack or you can read them here:





http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstr鈥?/a>