What is the best way to install thermal paste on an i7? the line method? Pea method? or a thin base, coating the whole CPU area? The line method worked excellent for my old Q6600 since its heatspreader was in the middle of the CPU, but you needed to do it in a certain direction.
Best way? I'm pretty sure no one knows for certain. I'm also sure that the temperature difference from the way you apply thermal paste is really small... Have you tried the methods you listed for yourself? It's better to try and assess which is better for youself.
