CPU Thermal Compound, Recommendations

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Message 938166 - Posted: 7 Oct 2009, 19:01:49 UTC

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
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Message 938168 - Posted: 7 Oct 2009, 19:13:41 UTC

Any of them are better than the junk the manufacturer gives you.

Artic Silver is the best of the best. It costs more too.


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Message 938176 - Posted: 7 Oct 2009, 20:07:33 UTC - in response to Message 938168.  

Any of them are better than the junk the manufacturer gives you.

Artic Silver is the best of the best. It costs more too.


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.
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Message 938189 - Posted: 7 Oct 2009, 21:15:21 UTC - in response to Message 938166.  
Last modified: 7 Oct 2009, 21:46:13 UTC

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.
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Message 938274 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 4:43:38 UTC

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.



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Message 938278 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 5:29:58 UTC - in response to Message 938166.  

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

OCZ Freeze Extreme Thermal Conductivity Compound
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Message 938285 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 6:46:33 UTC

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.

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Message 938291 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 7:17:30 UTC
Last modified: 8 Oct 2009, 7:22:54 UTC

+1 Arctic Cooling MX-2 (Also too ham-fisted for Arctic Silver 5)
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Message 938311 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 12:03:59 UTC

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.
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Message 938312 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 12:07:52 UTC

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.


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Message 938315 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 12:45:03 UTC

Thanks for all the recommendations. Will try a couple of them.
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Message 938354 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 15:37:26 UTC - in response to Message 938166.  
Last modified: 8 Oct 2009, 15:37:51 UTC

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


33-Way Thermal Interface Material Comparison
Link
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Message 938386 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 18:13:22 UTC - in response to Message 938166.  

Arctic Silver 5 - tho I've had no problems with it- I've seen a few photos of costly "overapplications".
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Message 938388 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 18:19:20 UTC - in response to Message 938386.  

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.
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Message 938399 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 18:53:52 UTC - in response to Message 938354.  

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


33-Way Thermal Interface Material Comparison
Link


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
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Message 938433 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 20:56:07 UTC

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

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Message 938435 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 21:09:25 UTC - in response to Message 938354.  

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


33-Way Thermal Interface Material Comparison
Link


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.
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Message 938444 - Posted: 8 Oct 2009, 21:47:56 UTC

I've used Arctic Silver and Spire silver both for years and both worked well on 24/7 boxes.

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Message 938911 - Posted: 10 Oct 2009, 4:16:46 UTC - in response to Message 938444.  

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
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Message 939099 - Posted: 11 Oct 2009, 0:15:59 UTC

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Message boards : Number crunching : CPU Thermal Compound, Recommendations


 
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