New build arrived, which thermal paste?

[Revolution 11]

1. Buy every thermal paste mentioned in this thread

2. Mix them together to create ultimate thermal paste!

3. Profit :thumbsup:

It would be funny if someone tried that and effectively formed concrete (I suppose IC Diamond would provide the aggregates needed) that permanently glued the IHS to the heatsink.

About application methods, does the fingertip in a plastic bag or glove not work anymore?

 

[Idontcare]

I have a tube of AC MX-4 and some Noctua NT-H1 and both work the same. No difference in temps good or bad for my testing.

That's my experience as well.

 

[daveybrat]

I'm not a big fan of AS5 just due to the fact that it's harder to spread because of it's consisteny and it's a PITA to clean off of the heatsink and processor compared to like MX-2 compound.

I just used the paste that came with my 212+ and it works great.

 

[nleksan]

Although I am water-cooling, I went with PK-1 for mounting my Apogee HD White to my 3930K, and I couldn't be more pleased with it. I am also using it between my GTX670FTW GPU and Heatkiller GPU^X3 680 Hole Edition Waterblock with fantastic results.
I have used AS5, IC Diamond, Antec Formula7, AS Ceramique, Swiftech's no-name-mentioned TIM, MX2/3/4, Tuniq TX4, Noctua NH1, Phobya HEGrease, Gelid GC-Extreme, all variants of Shin-Etsu (which range from absolutely awful to very good), and probably at least a dozen others.

Compared to all of the above, the PK1 is my absolute favorite TIM and its performance is extremely consistent. I do my best to use the absolute smallest amount of TIM possible, literally just enough to fill in any gaps (slightly more if there is a convex/concave IHS or HSF/Block surface), and the PK1 was worth 6.2C over Ceramique under P95. It is a moderately-thick paste which is what I personally prefer, but unlike some others with similar viscosity, it is extremely easy to use and to remove. Also, it is the only TIM I have used which seems to not care at all about application pattern; I have done an "X", single dot, four dots, straight lines either vertical or horizontal (single and double lines), and I have applied a small amount to both the IHS and Block Base and then used a business card to scrape off the vast majority on each leaving just the bits that managed to find the crevices on each. Every single method performs within 0.5C of the other, with the last method performing the best (although I lapped my Apogee HD to perfect flatness and up through 6000grit automotive wet-sanding sandpaper; prior to lapping, the cold plate was very poorly finished and the last method of application was worth a good 2.5C over anything else due to the many surface scratches).


CoolLaboratory Liquid Pro/Ult are both amazing liquid metal TIM's, but application is a PITA (Indigo-X is even better but too expensive for how often I remount) and there is a serious concern about its electrical conductivity.

In the end, $8 or so for a 7Gram tube of PK1 is a steal!

 

[heroz0r]

personally i like PK-1

 

[Rvenger]

1. Buy every thermal paste mentioned in this thread

2. Mix them together to create ultimate thermal paste!

3. Profit :thumbsup:

Max, I am surprised I didn't see this quote earlier. I am putting this in my sig.

 

[DrBoss]

Shin-Etsu X23-7783D
http://www.microsi.com/ThermalGrease.aspx

 

[WilliamM2]

I wonder if my tube of AS3 will ever run out. Seems to work fine though, and very easy to use.

 

[alphascout]

Ic Diamond works well in my laptops and they get HOT!

 

[teh_pwnerer]

thermal compound is overhyped. It's all about how you actually apply the paste than what brand you use.

"Arctic Silver 5 reduces temps by 9000 degrees Celsius! 500% more effective than the competitors!"

No just no.

If you apply thermal paste incorrectly which 90% of people do, you will not get good temps.

 

[bononos]

.....
As for other TIM, doesnt AS5 have a slight capacitance to it? Nothing really detrimental, but if you accidentally get some in a DIMM you could cause an electrical short or system instability if you cant clean it all out. Other pastes outperform AS5 and are not capacitive at all, honestly unless you have a surplus of AS5 there's no reason not to spend an extra dollar or two on better paste.

You're right AS5 is capacitative and its the biggest downside considering other better performing and easier to use alternatives for the same price.

 

[Yuriman]

Here is my experience with CL Liquid Metal Pro on a bare-die 3570K:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=34150895&postcount=717

I recommend it if you're confident you wont make a mess with it, and strongly if you want the lowest temps possible.

 

[KingRaptor]

AS5 or Mx2 both give me the same temps. Mx2 doesn't have the break in period and wont short anything so I prefer it over AS5. Always applied it via rice grain size in middle method FWIW.