Ok, so seem lots of different methods of applying thermal paste/compound to your CPU +/ Cooler/Heatsink. Including where people apply it to the base of the cooler/heatsink, rather than the CPU itself.
1) Dot
2) Single Line
3) Dual Line
4) Square
5) Cross (X)
6) Sqaure + Cross
7) Other?
The question is which method do YOU use AND WHY?
Simply posting saying X method is better, is of no use to anyone.
I also understand that different methods apparntly work better with different chips, so for this we will assume that the chip in question is a quad core.
EDIT: I think a few people are misunderstsanding me....
I'm not asking how you think I should apply it, I'm asking how and why YOU apply it. and if you have seen any difference in tempreature as a result of applying it a particular way.