How to Apply Thermal Compounds to an AMD Athlon Processor
In a computer, thermal compound is the substance between the processor and the heat sink. Made from microscopic particles of metal, thermal compound helps to maximize the surface area of the heat sink that comes into contact with the processor, causing as much of the processor's heat to transfer to the heat sink as possible. Apply a thin layer of thermal compound to your AMD Athlon processor before attaching a cooling unit to ensure that the processor remains within the proper operating temperature range.
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Instructions
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Dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol or acetone, and clean the metal surface of the processor. Even if the processor has never been used, it may still have microscopic grease or fingerprints that this will help to remove. After cleaning the processor, avoid touching the metal surface.
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Place the processor into the motherboard that it will be installed in. The motherboard does not need to be in the computer case yet unless it is required by the heat sink that you will be using.
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Squeeze a small portion of thermal compound from the tube or syringe, and apply it to the center of the metal CPU surface. With most thermal compounds, a very small amount---slightly smaller than a pea or BB---is all that is needed.
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Press the heat sink directly onto the processor, and anchor it to the motherboard as specified by the manufacturer. Give the heat sink a short turn---about one degree---in each direction before installing the motherboard in the computer case. It is not necessary to put extra thermal compound on the heat sink.
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