Ok I finally got around to applying some new thermal paste, and I havn't really noticed any difference in my temperature, is this normal?
I just applied it like, 10 minutes ago.
Does it take a while to work or something?

Usually there is a burn in period for the grease to reach its full potential.

Yes, it takes about 2-3 days to settle.
how much did you apply? thickness matter as well. Did you lap your IHS and HSF?

Well, I added like, not too much, maybe 3 or 4 drops.
It's spread like, it's not transparent like you can't see the writing on the CPU
Yet it's not overally thick?
If you get me..

What kind of cpu/hsf do you have?
Also what thermal compound did you use before? Did you use something like arctic cleaner to get rid of the old paste (from both, cpu and HSF)?
And what program(s) do you use to measure temps?

What kind of CPU do I have? meaning like, what is it?
I have a AMD 3800+ With no O/C.
Stock heatsink+fan

I only had stock thermal compound and i've had it there since april last year, it was all crusty.
But I fully cleared it off with that Iso Alcohol stuff.
I use Everest to measure my temps.

Did you read the AS applying manual?
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_amd_dual_wcap.pdf

Also with a stock heat sink, you will notice maximum of 1-2 degrees difference just by changing a thermal compound. Your best bet would be either to lap both the cpu and HSF or invest in a more powerful HSF like Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme.

Yeah I did read the manual, I also saw videos on youtube.

Well, i've noticed that the thermal paste has kept my temperatures more steady but we will have to see in 2-3 days.

Define Lap? I'm not sure if i've heard of this term.

Btw, thank's for your replies

Is your CPU temperature even a problem? What is it?

If your stock configuration CPU is already running relatively cool, then some single changes (like changing the heat-sink "paste") to the cooling environment will generally not result in changing the reported temperature very much.

Well my Temperature is sitting around 41 Idle with Internet + MSN Messenger and Steam open.
The problem is, it sky rockets sometimes when I play games like Call of Duty 4.
Sometimes causes my PC to crash.
It's not a PSU or a GFX card issue either.

Matt Iskov said:
Could be memory

Matt Iskov said:
http://www.3dvelocity.com/reviews/easypckits/lapping.htm

Matt Iskov said:

"Lapping" is the process of smoothing out the base of the heatsink and/or the IHS of the processor to improve heat transfer. Sometimes, aftermarket heatsinks which have "dull" bases can be lapped for improved heat transfer as well since, generally, "shinier/reflective" heatsink bases have superior heat transfer. This process is generally done in phases starting with "rougher" sand paper or a lower level of grit until you work your way to a very fine grit for shining purposes. Warning: lapping a processor or heatsink voids warranty.

Double Post. Sorry.

How does memory effect my temperature for cpu?
Sorry, i'm new to this type of stuff.

Hmm.. I could get my friend to lap them.. he was talking about it the other day, but I was like "Uhm yeah ok.."

Hmm..
Can anyone provide a pic on how thermal paste should look like on a CPU?
Does it have to be 100% smooth?

No no, memory doesn't affect the temps (although with a poor case air flow, anything emitting heat just adds fuel to the fire). What I meant was that memory might be the cause for your system crashes... What kind of GFX do you have? Try underclocking it.

As for the HTC applying technique, I found that AS5 instructions works best, especially for dual/quad core cpus. You apply it in a very thin line (along the cores) and a HSF pressure spreads it around the core.

No no my memory is fine, i've had it for a while never found any problems.
My GFX is an 8800GTS 512mb. I don't think it's the cause of the problem because it idles at 41 and 50 on mass game load.

Possibly show me a diagram or something of the line technique?

I never applied it on AMD processors, but this is how I did my quadcore:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_intel_quad_wcap.pdf

So when i'm applying, I just need to place the Thermal Paste above the core on the heatspreader, rather than covering it from corner to corner?

Matt Iskov said:
exactly

So a circle, roughly around 0.5cm X 0.5cm in size, right in the center of my CPU, and let the heatsink spread it out?
Does the non-covered area around the edge of the headspreader cause more heat?

The core is producing heat. The area around the core is the internal heat sink, it tries to dissipate heat as well, but if you attach the HSF directly on core and HTC between only the core and the heatsink, you would optimize the heat transfer. If the whole area of the cpu is covered with thermal grease, it is very hard to establish perfectly equal surface (on nano scale) and thus some places would have more thermal grease than others. More thermal grease produces less efficient heat transfer. If I'm not mistaken, in some older cpus (up to pentium III) you could take the internal heat sink off and attach the HFS directly on the core! But those times have pasted, Intel and AMD now makes copper-base/nickel-surface IHS on all of the new chips.

In any regards, try lapping your surfaces or again, get a better heat-sink-fan if you want to decrease your cpu temps.

Here's my lapping project... hope it serves as an inspiration.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=181535