Maximum PC

First time builder here, I'd like some feedback here because I think I installed the cooler wrong. The cooler is a CM Hyper 212 evo, the backplate, etc. installation went over smoothly, however, I accidentally put the X shaped bracket on the top AFTER putting heatsink block on top of the CPU with the paste. The biggest thing I noticed is that the alignment pin is out of place.

PHOTOS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81323971@N04/7451415370/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81323971@N04/7451420992/in/photostream

The cooler stays on if mounted vertically on the case. I'm planning on overclocking to about 4Ghz.

What do you think? Should I remove the cooler and thermal paste and reapply, or go with the build as it is? Respond quickly, please!

When in doubt, reapply.

Or you can sit in your BIOS's temp monitoring tool and watch the temperature. Even if it's improper, you'll see it and hopefully will be quick to shut the thing off.

I think I'll reapply and finish the build up tomorrow, can't ever be too careful... BTW, what's the best way to get rid of the old thermal paste(Arctic Cooling MX-4)? Just rub it with cleaning alcohol? Also, do I have to worry about fingerprints getting on any of the contact surfaces?

Thanks for helping a first-timer out!

Ideally you should use ArctiClean if you used Arctic Silver. Otherwise I use 90% alcohol and coffee filters. Yes, coffee filters. You should wipe it down with a lint free cloth and coffee filters are an excellent choice. Or any sort of filter.

And yes, you do need to worry about getting fingerprints on the surface. Especially copper, it has a tendency to oxidize rather quickly if you touch it. I've seen permanent smudges on aluminum, even though it should already have oxidization.

Wiped down with 70% alcohol I found around the house and reinstalled. System is running great now. Idle temps after one hour are about 30-33 - is that good for the CM 212 evo on an i5? Thanks again.

Assuming ambient temperature of around 26-28C? I think so.

If I am looking at the first picture correctly, looks like you used way to much thermal paste, it should not ooze out from under the heatsink when you apply pressure like it appears in the photo.

Doh! I used the same amount when I reapplied. Dunno how to check temperatures under load yet, but temps are about 32C idle in a 27C room. Would there be much to gain by reapplying?

Nah, that sounds about normal.

See next post

It is impossible to tell you what temps are acceptable without knowing the Brand and Model CPU you are using. You did choose a good price/performance HSF. Yes, you should remount. TIM should be applied to the center of the IHS about the size of a grain of rice. It will spread across the IHS as you tighten the HSF down. The HSF should be mounted with the fan blowing through the HSF fins and pointed to the rear of the case (unless you're using one of the Silverstone Raven cases).

Specs:
Intel Core i5 3570k
CM Hyper 212 evo
Arctic Cooling MX-4 paste
Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600mhz
Gigabyte Z77 UD5H
Nvidia geforce GTX 480
Antec 1100 with stock fans

In a 27 C room, temps fluctuate around 32C according to the BIOS monitor.

After 30 minutes of prime95 using Hardware Monitor to check temps, max temp for package was 70C and average was probably 65C. Temps for individual cores were a little lower.

Did you remount the HSF and use the correct amount of TIM?
Your CPU has a 77 TDP, which is low wattage. So, if you were running stock clocks on everything, SpeedStep on, and turbo boost, you should idle about 1-3C over ambient/room temp. And my guess would be high 50s running the Prime95 Blend tests.
Is there a way to mount one or two fans in the front panel? There usually is, in Antec cases, and I'd recommend at least one.
Download Realtemp, IMHO, its better at monitoring temps.