Hmh I thought too much definitely makes it go too hot?That's my experience with Ryzen 3000 as well. Spreading is giving me better temperatures over the pea. Thought I must admit an X or two lines should have a similar effect.
I'd go even further and claim that "too much" doesn't exists. Contact pressure between IHS and cooler should squeeze out anything that's unnecessary.
You'll end up with a messy situation if you really overdid it in a significant amount. Annoying but not harmful or a detriment to temperatures.
Too little though, that can be a problem.