A TikTok account tests novel thermal paste patterns on CPUs

(Photo: Getty Images)Determining which thermal paste pattern to use is one of the longest-running debates in the PC-building world. Some prefer a dot, an “x” or even a straight line (aka sausage). This is a bit of a mysterious process because we never know how the paste spreads once we close the cooler. The only way to find out is to look at our temperature. Now TikTok account @mryeester is taking it a step further by experimenting with various wacky paste patterns featuring the popular gaming company’s logo. You can see what the spread looks like as he presses on it with a piece of glass.

The video reveals some surprising results for unconventional patterns. This is probably the first TikTok account we’ve enjoyed seeing, as we’re proud members of the “My Lawn” age group.

Corporate brands he’s tested as paste patterns include Discord, the Half-Life Lambda symbol, and even an Intel logo on an AMD CPU (creepy). He even tested a 3D pattern (see below), so clearly he’s taking the piss with some of them, as they say. Despite the silliness, some of them actually provided good paste coverage. For example, the Discord logo covers the entirety of the heat spreader despite having two holes in the center. Valve’s Half-Life logo also worked surprisingly well, as did the Xbox logo. Unfortunately, since this is TikTok, the videos look short and spread out. They do not include any before and after temperature tests. Still, the patterns of spread are interesting to look at.

@mister

Since replying to @osmankamal8 we have made some thermal paste patterns! #pc #pctips #pcbuilding #thermalpaste #mryester

♬ Original Sound – Mr

Thermal paste testing seems to be a recurring theme in this manufacturer’s channel. He has videos using tomatoes, maple syrup and mayonnaise as thermal interface ingredients (TIM). It makes us think that he has a lot of CPUs and motherboards around. In addition to stupidity, he also tests standard patterns like circles vs squares and a perimeter pattern test. As expected, the latter procedure left the center of the heat spreader free of paste. The account was first highlighted by PCGamer.

This matter was somewhat settled for many years. However, this was back when Intel and AMD offered CPUs of the same shape. This has apparently reignited now that companies are offering CPUs with widely varying sizes. Intel’s LGA 1700 chips have been stretched in a way that has made people rethink their paste strategy. Also, there were sporadic reports of the socket becoming loose due to Intel’s design. The company acknowledged the situation but said it was nothing to worry about.

AMD’s new chips have cutouts along the edges as well as a very thick heat spreader. These chips run very hot — up to 95C — by design This forced IHS to experiment with both delidding and grinding to lower human temperatures.

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