Ok, so I'm gonna get a barebone that comes with the fan w/heatsink,cpu,power,mother board, case,ect. The fan with heatsink doesnt have thermal gel pre applied though. I dont wanna screw it up and have problems due to the heat.

Ive heard two ways you can put it on. One being directly onto the CPU and placing the heat sink on top, and the other being put it directly on the heat sink bottom then placing it on.

Which of these is the better way, and also can somone give me links to video or a good explanation on how to apply thermal gel. (I hear it has to be paper thin layer with no air pockets)

Thanx in advance

I guess different Techies have different opinions about this one but for me it's a paper thin application of Arctic Silver to the CPU core itself...that way you can see the coverage before you place the HSF on top.

yeah same here but only on the chip it's self and not on any thing else and put the heatsink on top of that

That's how I do it. If you are going through the trouble to build... don't use the "white goo". The good stuff is so far superior-- it's easier to apply/works better/never dries out or oozes.

Arctic Silver is the only one for me

I think it comes with the white stuff I want to use silvr on it though, I already knew it's better

Ill try getting that then.

Oh ya, and how would I apply it to get the perfect (or at least good enough) coat of it. Do you just rub it with your finger in circles making larger circles as you go until its all covered? Or is there better ways?

I just use a bead of it on one edge --and "squeegee" it across with a plastic playing card... nice even thin coat. Most of them do come with the white stuff-- Arctic silver will actually make you CPU temps run 5 -14 degrees C cooler-- by itself . Well worth the cost.

Acrtic Silver = 98% pure silver in a light grease -type base. Smallest tube .5 gm lasts for 20 applications.

So a dab of it and use somthing like a credit card or playing card. Sounds simple.

Your definition of artic silver sounds like an Ad