Conor wrote:

Remember, the idea is NOT to form a layer between the two surfaces.
The purpose of the paste is to fill the valleys in the contact
surfaces with something which is more efficient at transferring heat
away from the CPU core than the air which would otherwise fill the
gaps

How I apply mine..

Small pea sized lump on the heatsink. Spread thinly then scrape off
with a razorblade.

Very small dot on the CPU core. Spread extremely thinly so it is hardly
visible.

I use a similar technique but use a bit less.

With the CPU fitted on the motherboard, I first apply a match head
sized dot to the top of the core and smear it around so it covers the
surface, then scrape most of it off with the edge of an old credit
card to leave very thin translucent layer covering the core.

I then clean the residue from the edge of the credit card with a ball
of cotton wool and use that to wipe the bottom the heatsink, just
sufficiently that it discolours the surface around where the core or
heat spreader will make contact, before fitting the cooler to the
board.

That way I use less compound and have cleaned my "applicator" in the
process; leaving just the cotton wool to discard. :-)

--
iv Paul iv