Thermal Compound - Is One Better Than The Other?

[kbronski]

I'm curious about this, since I have to get some to put the new heatsink module on my motherboard when it arrives. I've found compounds ranging from a dollar a tube to $8.99/tube.

Is it going to kill my CPU to get cheap-priced compound? What compounds transfer heat better? I have an Intel i7-2720QM in my laptop, so heat's always been a bit of an issue. This is why I'm curious.

 

[Solarstarshines]

I'm curious about this, since I have to get some to put the new heatsink module on my motherboard when it arrives. I've found compounds ranging from a dollar a tube to $8.99/tube.

Is it going to kill my CPU to get cheap-priced compound? What compounds transfer heat better? I have an Intel i7-2720QM in my laptop, so heat's always been a bit of an issue. This is why I'm curious.

Usually you want to go with a Nano Diamond compound I find Arctic Silver the best even though i used higher grades before

Honestly i would just go with Arctic Silver as it isn't to watery nor too thick which is why it's rated the best because you don't need much and it gets good results that usually runs around 7-8.99 i wouldn't go any cheaper

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...ity_Polysynthetic_Silver_Thermal_Compound_35g

 

[whs]

I would vote for Arctic Silver too. Worked well for me. Lasted several uears now.

 

[kbrady1979]

I'd say unless you got a really crappy kind for the most part they all perform very similar. I think what's most important is getting both surfaces very clean, and using the RIGHT amount of thermal paste. I personally like Arctic MX-4 because it's non-conductive, is known to be some of the best commercial paste in terms of heat transfer, and it spreads very well. After you have both surfaces clean, I use an amount the size of a grain of rice right in the middle and you'll be good to go.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I'd say unless you got a really crappy kind for the most part they all perform very similar. I think what's most important is getting both surfaces very clean, and using the RIGHT amount of thermal paste. I personally like Arctic MX-4 because it's non-conductive, is known to be some of the best commercial paste in terms of heat transfer, and it spreads very well. After you have both surfaces clean, I use an amount the size of a grain of rice right in the middle and you'll be good to go.

It also doesn't need to be burned in.

 

[kbronski]

Burned in? What does that mean?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Burned in? What does that mean?

Deliberately running the CPU at a high load to force high temperatures at first to get the compound to spread better and give a better heat transfer. Some TIM (the fancydancy name for thermal paste) has metal in it and burning it in gives the metal better contact between the CPU and the cooler. Most TIM will eventually settle in just from normally running the computer but burning in gives faster results and, sometimes, better results.

 

[N00berG00ber]

just get some MX-2. best stuff i used.

 

[kbronski]

Burned in? What does that mean?

Deliberately running the CPU at a high load to force high temperatures at first to get the compound to spread better and give a better heat transfer. Some TIM (the fancydancy name for thermal paste) has metal in it and burning it in gives the metal better contact between the CPU and the cooler. Most TIM will eventually settle in just from normally running the computer but burning in gives faster results and, sometimes, better results.

Interesting, that makes pretty good sense then. So, would it be better, practically speaking, to go with the Arctic Silver 5, or the Arctic MX-4? Since the Silver 5 is, well, silver-based and the MX-4 is carbon-based...

 

[Solarstarshines]

I use Arctic Silver5
I have used both but find Arctic Silver5 beats it by a few C's

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Arctic Silver 5 is clearly superior temperaturewise but Arctic MX-4 is easier to use and is more forgiving of errors.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Next time I apply I'm going to give the lap method a try rather than the pea or those variations.

 

[GeneO]

Most perform the same. I prefer MX-4 because it is easy to apply. I get slightly better temps than arctic silver 5 with it.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have only tried a few different thermal compounds but alway ended back using Arctic Silver 5.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

It's just a little like AV programs, it's a matter of what works for you. proper application of almost any premium thermal compound will net temps within a couple of degrees of the other to where better case cooling would make a bigger difference.

 

[kbronski]

Haha, alright, well, for sake of saving a couple bucks, I'll give Arctic Silver 5 a try and see how it works!

 

[Mellon Head]

Haha, alright, well, for sake of saving a couple bucks, I'll give Arctic Silver 5 a try and see how it works!

Good choice. I've used it for years and it works well.

 

[AddRAM]

Arctic Silver 5, Arctic Alumina, and Cooler Master Ice Fusion have all worked well for me.

 

[IanDrexP]

 

[madcratebuilder]

Arctic Silver 5, Arctic Alumina, and Cooler Master Ice Fusion have all worked well for me.

Those are all good products, I've used all of them at one time or another. I'm using GELID now as it's a non conductive compound, also non curing and non corrosive. In the TIM shootouts GELID gc-extreme is always the winner by a degree or two.

Careful application of any of the major brands gets the job done.