best method to spread CPU thermal paste

[Anek]

I have seen many people telling to use the thermal paste on CPU to avoid any high temperature issues, but can anyone tell me what is the best method to spread thermal paste on CPU? I am using a Hyper 212 EVO cpu cooler on top of a i7 core processor on an Asus motherboard. Am I suppose to put the paste in the middle and then just put the cooler on the top of the processor? Thanks for any information.

[SUpER CoP]

Well, I dont think there isnt any best way because every other way spreading the thermal paste ends up with the same result. You should actually spread a thin layer on both the heatsink and the CPU. You can use the size of a pea on the cpu and also the same amount on the heatsink and then if you would like, you can also spread it out on the cpu with a razor.

[lorenz]

Well, there are many ways to apply the thermal paste on the CPU. There are many videos on youtube that you can watch and then carefully follow the same strategy. Just checkout the below youtube video as an example on how to apply the thermal paste on the CPU:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7rPqCvCt0g

[Abbie]

I actually dont use the pea method because it can result in not so level deployment over the CPU when you will try to tighten the cooler. So you can use the spread method but beware then it can also result in air pockets, so try to just slap the paste on and it will work properly. You can also do a larger dot on the middle of heat spreader and also some smaller dots towards its corners.