Arctic Silver 5

[Sam334]

First time building a pc. I'm planning to overclock the 3200+ winchester to hopefully 2.5GHz. I'm planning to order a Thermalright XP90 (since the 120 won't fit my mobo) and the Panaflo 92mm H1A. I also want to get the Arctic Silver 5 based on other users' mentions.

My question: Should I order the 1cc or 5 cc tube? 1cc = $7.59 ; 5cc = $13.49 on Newegg.com

"Arctic Silver Premium Silver Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound, Model 'Arctic Silver 5' "

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Sam334
First time building a pc. I'm planning to overclock the 3200+ winchester to hopefully 2.5GHz. I'm planning to order a Thermalright XP90 (since the 120 won't fit my mobo) and the Panaflo 92mm H1A. I also want to get the Arctic Silver 5 based on other users' mentions.

My question: Should I order the 1cc or 5 cc tube? 1cc = $7.59 ; 5cc = $13.49 on Newegg.com

"Arctic Silver Premium Silver Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound, Model 'Arctic Silver 5' "

If its your first time the small tube is plenty. If you intend on switching heatsink/cpu out frequently (4+ times) get the bigger tube. Or, if you are thinking of getting the Zalman Dual Heatpipe cooler for your graphics card - this requires a great deal of thermal goop. So, it really depends what you are gonna do and what components you might possibly buy that require thermal goop.

 

[Spike]

Ripped directly from the Artic Silver website

"Arctic Silver 5 is sold in 3.5 gram and 12 gram tubes. The 3.5 gram tube contains enough compound to cover at least 15 to 25 small CPU cores, or 6 to 10 large CPU cores, or 2 to 5 heat plates. At a layer 0.003" thick, the 3.5 gram tube will cover approximately 16 square inches."

Link to AS Page

I have a 3.5 gram of AS 5 and have done 10+ applications, still seems like plenty left so a small one should be more than enough. Besides, they come out with so many versions that by the time you have used it twice they will have a new kind out (I have tubes of AS2, AS3, and AS5)

-spike

 

[Thor86]

If you are not changing cpus regularly, then get the smaller tube. I still use mine after countless cpu swapping, and the less you use, the better with AS5.

 

[slash196]

Arctic Silver holds no performance advantage over standard thermal goop. Save your money (and your warranty) and just use the white stuff.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: slash196
Arctic Silver holds no performance advantage over standard thermal goop. Save your money (and your warranty) and just use the white stuff.

I would have to disagree with this statement. Disregarding all the web reviews that put AS as some of the best thermal compound, my own personal experience with it puts it better. I used the paste that came with my brothers HSF and while it seemed to work well, his temps were still high. After redoing the setup with AS 3, it is 3-5 c cooler. Now, this could have been user error during the first install, but I am willing to bet it is partly due to using the better thermal compound, but thats just me...

-spike

 

[ScottFern]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I wanted to know how long it takes for the arctic silver 5 to burn in/settle so that my temps actually drop because right now my 6800 GT is at the same temps w/o the vga cooler and the as5?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
Sorry to hijack your thread but I wanted to know how long it takes for the arctic silver 5 to burn in/settle so that my temps actually drop because right now my 6800 GT is at the same temps w/o the vga cooler and the as5?

Uhh...care to reiterate because I really can't understand any of it.

But um, there really isn't a burn-in period for AS5, make sure you didn't put too much either.

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: ScottFern
Sorry to hijack your thread but I wanted to know how long it takes for the arctic silver 5 to burn in/settle so that my temps actually drop because right now my 6800 GT is at the same temps w/o the vga cooler and the as5?

Uhh...care to reiterate because I really can't understand any of it.

But um, there really isn't a burn-in period for AS5, make sure you didn't put too much either.

Um, I don't know what you read but I stated my question pretty plainly. How long does it take for Arctic Silver 5 to burn in and settle in all the grooves and cracks. I applied it to my VIDEO CARD and it is still running at the same temps with the factory paste and heatsink. Right now I am running An NV Silencer Rev 5.

Besides your wrong, it takes 50 to 200 hours for it to settle and expand, I just read it on the Arctic Silver site.

Anyway, can anyone confirm/deny this fact?

 

[Algere]

I can confirm that's what it sez too. At least the 200 hours or so curing time if memory serves. Anyways I just applied some AS5 on my CPU last night. I was curious if there was a difference in temps from what I had before against the instructions listed @ AS.

Guess I'll find out after a week or so if there's a change in temps.

 

[ScottFern]

same here, I am just going to have to see after a week of use!

 

[lrmat]

it's funny cause i just installed the zalman cnps7700 to my athlon 64 3400 (mobo is asus k8n-e deluxe) with as5. anyone who has read up on this hsf knows it's huge. my temps under load jumped up to a high of 70c and have now settled to 55c. this is still 4degrees higher then the temps i hasd with the stock hsf. i had just posted looking for info as to how long it will take for my temps to regulate.

 

[Algere]

Coincidentally I have the same HSF too (7700). Although my temps aren't as high as yours .

 

[Texsstar]

Irmat that sounds to high 70c under load even if you just applied it, I would pull off the Zalman and and reapply the silver or I'm thinking your temp reading program/MB is off.

 

[ScottFern]

I just used AS5 on my video card with a new hsf cooler and it is currently at the same temps I had before without those 2 items!!

I am royally pissed because I felt like I spent $40 for nothing with these 2 items!

I don't know if I should take it off and use the paste that came with the card, or wait a week and see if the temps are lower after a week break in.

 

[lrmat]

my temps since i posted have dropped to 55c under load using prime95. i don't look forward to having to take my board out again and doing this. still no one has answered me. will my temps slowly drop as the as5 settles in? 55c is a good 4c higher then before with the stock hsf.

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: lrmat
my temps since i posted have dropped to 55c under load using prime95. i don't look forward to having to take my board out again and doing this. still no one has answered me. will my temps slowly drop as the as5 settles in? 55c is a good 4c higher then before with the stock hsf.

Man, I am experiencing the same damn thing! The Arctic Silver website says give the paste 50 -200 hours to settle, so its up to you. I am currently in the same boat and I have to make a decision soon if I am going to use the paste that came with the cooler, cuz this AS5 really didn't do crap.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: lrmat
my temps since i posted have dropped to 55c under load using prime95. i don't look forward to having to take my board out again and doing this. still no one has answered me. will my temps slowly drop as the as5 settles in? 55c is a good 4c higher then before with the stock hsf.

What's your room ambient & case/motherboard temps?

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: ScottFern

Originally posted by: lrmat
my temps since i posted have dropped to 55c under load using prime95. i don't look forward to having to take my board out again and doing this. still no one has answered me. will my temps slowly drop as the as5 settles in? 55c is a good 4c higher then before with the stock hsf.

Man, I am experiencing the same damn thing! The Arctic Silver website says give the paste 50 -200 hours to settle, so its up to you. I am currently in the same boat and I have to make a decision soon if I am going to use the paste that came with the cooler, cuz this AS5 really didn't do crap.

If it does turnout that AS5 doesn't increase thermal conductivity noticeably over the competition. Perhaps you can look @ other properties of AS5, e.g. it's longevity under use. Assuming [but now knowing for sure] that it lasts longer than competing solutions before needing reapply.

 

[lrmat]

admitedly the room in which the computer is in is pretty warm, but as said before the stock hsf game 34c idle, 50c under load. the mobo was 32c and about 39c under load.

with my cnps7700 and arctic silver 5 i am at 55c/38c under load (cpu/mobo).

 

[Algere]

I assume you followed AS's instructions word for word for the most part.

i.e. very small amount of AS5 on the center of the heatspreader, placing the HSF right on top of the small amount, & in the process flattening AS5 with the HSF's mass against the CPU during HSF installation.

---

P.S. Per instructions I did step 6 of AS's instructions even though it says, For Arctic Silver 1, 2 and 3 only. Since I did step 6 when I had AS3, I figured it couldn't hurt to do it with AS5 as well. YMMV

 

[lrmat]

algere, actually, no. i followed the instructions of the zalman hsf and spread the as5 over the entire cpu. i did put a small drop about the size recommended by AS (as i just read their instructions).

 

[Spike]

My best results always come from following the instructions completely. I used a lint free cloth and goof-off to remove all compound from both the HSF and the CPU. Then, I put a small amount on the HS, rub it in, then wipe it off with another line-free cloth. Then I apply a small layer to the entire CPU core, very thin, and attach the HSF making sure NOT to move it sideways after placing on.

That always lowers my temps, even when I am just replacing old AS.

-spike

 

[drpootums]

so, i currently get about 43 C idle and 49 C load with my Zalman 7000a. If i got some AS5 and spread it right, would that lower my temps a lot? I'm currently stuck with a bit of the AMD Stock goop with some of the stock Zalman stuff on the fan.

And does it really void ur warrenty?

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: drpootums
so, i currently get about 43 C idle and 49 C load with my Zalman 7000a. If i got some AS5 and spread it right, would that lower my temps a lot? I'm currently stuck with a bit of the AMD Stock goop with some of the stock Zalman stuff on the fan.

And does it really void ur warrenty?

I wouldn't expect a miracle but perhaps it may lower it a bit and using the Zalman 7000A would void your CPU's warranty let alone the goop but I doubt AMD would know what HSF or goop you were using if your CPU ever needed to be fixed/replaced.