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Number crunching :
CPU Thermal Compound, Recommendations
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yank Send message Joined: 15 Aug 99 Posts: 522 Credit: 22,545,639 RAC: 0 |
Sometime ago there was a discussion about what CPU Thermal Compound was the best to use. Can someone recommend a type or brand to use? Thanks, Yank http://boinc.mundayweb.com/teamStats.php?userID=14824 |
Sterling_Aug Send message Joined: 27 Sep 02 Posts: 54 Credit: 14,105,725 RAC: 0 |
Any of them are better than the junk the manufacturer gives you. Artic Silver is the best of the best. It costs more too. |
Pilot Send message Joined: 18 May 99 Posts: 534 Credit: 5,475,482 RAC: 0 |
Any of them are better than the junk the manufacturer gives you. Agreed, but it would be nice if someone packaged it in waffers between two nonstick papers so that you could be sure of even no gap application. When we finally figure it all out, all the rules will change and we can start all over again. |
Name Send message Joined: 26 Sep 09 Posts: 12 Credit: 59,462 RAC: 0 |
I've used Noctua NT-H1 and Thermaltake CL-O0027 TG1 Extreme High Grade on Intel CPUs with excellent results. But, how you apply the paste and using an aftermarket copper heat sink like a ZEROtherm CF900 will give you better results than using the best paste with an aluminium heat sink and sloppy application. Thermal conductivity of copper is about 60% better than aluminium at room temperature. If you have an AMD processor beware if you want to preserve your warranty. Go here: http://www.xtremetek.com/info/index.php?id=14 for that saga. |
gizbar Send message Joined: 7 Jan 01 Posts: 586 Credit: 21,087,774 RAC: 0 |
Just remember that these are peoples' opinions of what is best, and your mileage may vary. The main purpose of these compounds is to ensure a good contact between the cpu and the heatsink, and remove any air gap between the two. Also, using too much is just as bad as using too little, and the way you apply it can have an effect, too. If you have an aftermarket cooler that has direct heat-pipe technology, it seems to be best to run thin lines along the heat-pipes, and allow it to spread to fill the gaps, whereas on a smooth bottomed heatsink, a small bead that spreads out under the pressure of the heatsink seems to be best. As for what to use, I've used two different types. I've used an Akasa silver based compound AK450, but the best one I've used is undoubtedly OCZ freeze. regards, Gizbar. A proud GPU User Server Donor! |
Misfit Send message Joined: 21 Jun 01 Posts: 21804 Credit: 2,815,091 RAC: 0 |
Sometime ago there was a discussion about what CPU Thermal Compound was the best to use. Can someone recommend a type or brand to use? OCZ Freeze Extreme Thermal Conductivity Compound me@rescam.org |
kittyman Send message Joined: 9 Jul 00 Posts: 51468 Credit: 1,018,363,574 RAC: 1,004 |
I have had very good results with MX-2 from Newegg.... Has a little thinner consistency than the AS-5 or Ceramique that I have used in the past, so it seems to be a little more forgiving and self-spreading if not applied in a perfectly thin layer. I have used it on most of my air cooled rigs when rebuilding them or reseating the cooler, and it also has given me the best thermal transfer so far on the Frozen Nehi. 5 paws up from the kitties! "Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster |
jason_gee Send message Joined: 24 Nov 06 Posts: 7489 Credit: 91,093,184 RAC: 0 |
+1 Arctic Cooling MX-2 (Also too ham-fisted for Arctic Silver 5) "Living by the wisdom of computer science doesn't sound so bad after all. And unlike most advice, it's backed up by proofs." -- Algorithms to live by: The computer science of human decisions. |
Cruncher-American Send message Joined: 25 Mar 02 Posts: 1513 Credit: 370,893,186 RAC: 340 |
For my AMD CPUs I use Vaseline (petroleum jelly). It fills the air gaps between CPU and HSF perfectly, doesn't dry out, is easy to clean up and is cheap. Reference: www.dansdata.com/goop.htm It works really well - I use it on my 24/7 SETI machines and they run just fine. |
HAL9000 Send message Joined: 11 Sep 99 Posts: 6534 Credit: 196,805,888 RAC: 57 |
There have been countless tests showing different results for the same thermal compounds over the years. Someone will test compounds A B C D and their data will show B is the best. Then someone else will test the same ones and their data will show D is the best. SETI@home classic workunits: 93,865 CPU time: 863,447 hours Join the [url=http://tinyurl.com/8y46zvu]BP6/VP6 User Group[ |
yank Send message Joined: 15 Aug 99 Posts: 522 Credit: 22,545,639 RAC: 0 |
Thanks for all the recommendations. Will try a couple of them. http://boinc.mundayweb.com/teamStats.php?userID=14824 |
tombew Send message Joined: 12 Apr 00 Posts: 111 Credit: 12,182,261 RAC: 0 |
Sometime ago there was a discussion about what CPU Thermal Compound was the best to use. Can someone recommend a type or brand to use? 33-Way Thermal Interface Material Comparison Link |
Steve Send message Joined: 18 May 99 Posts: 94 Credit: 68,888 RAC: 0 |
Arctic Silver 5 - tho I've had no problems with it- I've seen a few photos of costly "overapplications". |
kittyman Send message Joined: 9 Jul 00 Posts: 51468 Credit: 1,018,363,574 RAC: 1,004 |
Arctic Silver 5 - tho I've had no problems with it- I've seen a few photos of costly "overapplications". Well....regardless of the choice of TIM being used.... The main secret is to use just enough to fill the gaps between the CPU and the cooler.....anything more is actually detrimental. Some of the small differences seen between similar compounds can be due simply to a slight difference in the application and the chance of getting the cooler mount 'just right'. That's part of the reason I like the MX-2...it seems to minimize the impact of both. "Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster |
HAL9000 Send message Joined: 11 Sep 99 Posts: 6534 Credit: 196,805,888 RAC: 57 |
Sometime ago there was a discussion about what CPU Thermal Compound was the best to use. Can someone recommend a type or brand to use? That is a nice review. However, I didn't see them state the numbers for the stock configuration ofthe intel thermal pad. That would have been nice. Also if they had used a static thermal load like many of the heatsink testers use, but it's hard to be picky when someone else is willing to do all the effort. heh SETI@home classic workunits: 93,865 CPU time: 863,447 hours Join the [url=http://tinyurl.com/8y46zvu]BP6/VP6 User Group[ |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20265 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
Whatever goop you use, keep it as thin as possible. The best is to use none at all! But then , you have to go to the trouble of lapping the CPU heatsink contact surfaces together. In my view, a minimally thin layer of goop is more than good enough for CPUs. A far greater problem is ensuring effective cooling airflow. Happy crunchin', Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
Steve Send message Joined: 18 May 99 Posts: 94 Credit: 68,888 RAC: 0 |
Sometime ago there was a discussion about what CPU Thermal Compound was the best to use. Can someone recommend a type or brand to use? Good find on the review, tho I can understand A.S. and others requiring some burn-in felt "burned" by the testing methods (given A.S's performance with no burn-in, they should be pleased IMO). It'd be interesting as well to see long-term results on TIM's that operate at high capacity nearly 24x7, metallics would seem to come out ahead there, but I really don't know. |
Jim_S Send message Joined: 23 Feb 00 Posts: 4705 Credit: 64,560,357 RAC: 31 |
I've used Arctic Silver and Spire silver both for years and both worked well on 24/7 boxes. I Desire Peace and Justice, Jim Scott (Mod-Ret.) |
zoom3+1=4 Send message Joined: 30 Nov 03 Posts: 65738 Credit: 55,293,173 RAC: 49 |
I've used Arctic Silver and Spire silver both for years and both worked well on 24/7 boxes. I've used AS5 for Years too and I couldn't agree more, I have a OEM box that I recently acquired, It had possibly overheated and locked up(It was cut off from any air circulation as wood door under the aquarium was closed and the air temp was going up in here as the cooler was off for a bit, The HP wouldn't even respond to the power button being pressed, It was on, Yet no one was home), I found out pretty quickly that It either has no reset button or It's broken, So I had to pull the power cord and then plug the cord back in after a minute as the cooler was on and It had started to cool off some. I plan to water cool the HP and such, Until then I'll just have to leave the wood door open under the aquarium The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's |
Mr. Hankey Send message Joined: 8 Jun 99 Posts: 30 Credit: 34,491,352 RAC: 0 |
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