Question 1

Will this stuff turn to a solid after a while?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps, but I have had a tube in my refrigerator for two years, and it is still liquid.

Question 2

Should I actually use the spreader that comes with this? I heard that it causes air bubbles...

Accepted Answer

Short Answer: No.

Squeeze out a green pea sized ball directly on the center of the processor. Then take your cooler and place it in the proper alignment once installed and place it down on the processor. As you are applying pressure down onto your cooler you want to give it a small twist in a left-right-left-right motion to ensure the full and equal spread of the PK3 TIM (Thermal Interface Material). Once settled, you then can apply the cooler's retention mechanism.

If you would like, you can practice by performing this procedure, and remove the cooler once seated before applying your cooler's retention mechanism to ensure that you have squeezed out the correct sized ball of TIM by observing the full coverage of the processors IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader) as well as the stiction of your cooler to the processor's IHS observed by the amount of force applied to break the TIM's suction between the two.

I hope your build goes well.
~Stephanie

Question 3

I bought a used computer that's about 5 years old and I was wondering if I should repaste the processor and south bridge heatsink with this compound? thanks

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is an excellent thermal paste.  If the laptop has a separate gpu, you should repast that as well.  Be careful not to apply too much.  Search for videos to assist with the application of the compound.

Questions & Answers