Originally posted by: Gautama2
Was anyone else shocked of the differences of spreading out AS5 and just letting the heatsink squish it results? ( In the madshrimps bargraphs)
Not really, although from the pics, the layer of TIM, when they spread it out, IMO, is too thick.
I do though agree with the article's author, "If you've spent enough time in overclocking forums your probably familiar with the ongoing debate concerning TIM application. Essentially two schools of thought exist. Spreading - in which an even layer is distributed over the entire IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader) surface using a flat edged card or other object. And Dollop - in which a large drop or dollop of paste is deposited onto the center of the IHS and then the heatsink is mounted. Where-as spreading can incorporate tiny air-bubbles, compressing the paste should force more air out."
AC's and AS's application instructions, depending on the processor, use the dollup or line method of application.
Duck
I agree. They should have used a more robust HS. Anyone serious about oc'ing doesn't use Intel's stock HS.
I also noticed that Tuniq was quick to post Madshrimp's bar graphs on their website.
Link
Footnote: I'm a bit skeptical about all reviews of the difference in performance of different TIMS.
Can you really see a 1 or 2 degree difference in performance between TIMS? The author used Prime95 and Core Temp for the tests. The same programs most of us use. Using Core Temp two of the cores of my Q6600 read the same temp, 1 is 2 degress lower, and 1 is 4 degrees lower. I've tried resetting the HS a number of times but get the same results. I've checked the HS and CPU and they're flat. I think it's just the way the IHS sits on the cores. In the article the author states the temps are averaged, and his one Core Temp pic shows two cores 4 degrees lower than the other two. Core Temp reports whole numbers, i.e., 45 C, but the author averages to 1 decimal point, i.e., 45.2 C. Should he have rounded the averages up or down? If he did then AS5 and AC MX-2 would have the same results.
And are the temps while Prime95 is running completely stable? Mine are not. Even after running it for 6 hours I notice the temps of all 4 cores still jump around 1 or 2 degrees, so what's the average?
I'm currently using AC MX-2 on my Cooler Master Hyper TX2 HS with a Thermalright Bolt-Thru kit. I bought into the marketing hype and purchased a tube of AC MX-2. I was using AS-5. I tested both using the dollup and line method applications. I found no significant differences in temps, idle & load, Q6600 oc'ed to 3.0, 3.3, and 3.6 Ghz, between the 2 TIMS and the application methods. I prefer the dollup application method. It's difficult squeezing out a fine line of TIM across the CPU and if you get it too close to the edge it squeezes out over the CPU's IHS when you put your HS on.