Back to the original thread. I'm not sure how the older Intel CPUs measured the temperature. They used to do what was called a corner temperature. This was an external sensor at the corner of the die. It is not junction temperature.
The Junction temperature should not go over 100 degrees C.
As for Chuck's notes, the silicon grease has low thermal conductivity. The grease evaporates over time, as all silicon oils do.
His other choices may work better or worse than the recommended stuff. The zinc oxide is a better conductor than the oil.
As for putting metallic grease, I tend to agree but there are those that use the low temperature metal.
I don't recommend the indium/gallium metals for any computer you expect to keep for more than 3 years. It does cause pitting of the heat spreader and heatsink. never use it on aluminum. One tiny nick in the oxide coating of the aluminum and it will turn it to junk. For gamers that expect to upgrade in a couple years it is fine. Please don't put that stuff on classic machines.
As for temperature readings. A corner temperature of 100 degrees C is way too much. I would allow at least 10 or 15 degrees window there. Also, the heat spreader on older Intel processors use ordinary silicon heat sink grease. It ages faster with temperature. Any temperature spec is likely designed for a 5 year half life.
I see the note that it seems that there was only a small amount of the compound. As long as it was covering the entire surface it was doing fine. That is the way it should be, just enough to cover without big gobs around the edges. You want it to be as thin as possible ( no more than needed ).
Dwight
