AS 5 VS AS MX-1

[datwater]

I just ordered an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro and some AS5 for my E8400. I read a review that claimed that the AF7 Pro has MX1 pre applied in a pad on it. Should I clean it up and use the AS5, or use the "MX1 Pad"? Anyone have an AF7Pro that can comment?

Thanks

 

[996GT2]

I've tried both, and MX-1 usually gives 2-3C better temperatures than AS5 when both have had a chance to break in. I liked the MX-1 so much that I actually bought another full tube for use on other systems I've built!

I would clean off MOST of the MX-1, leaving just a small patch so that there is only a very thin layer of paste over the CPU cores after the cooler is applied. The default pad is applied very thick and will interfere with thermal performance.

By the way, MX-1 is the same as Shin-Etsu MicroSi G751, so if you are looking for benchmarks those for the Shin-Etsu also apply.

 

[Cogman]

From my experience, thermal paste has started to hit its limits about 2 years ago. Pretty much any paste will give you results that are close to the best results. The heatsink is much more important (or a good lapped cpu and heatsink)

 

[datwater]

Thank you for your responses. With my stock Intel cooler, at stock speeds, my E8400 is 43c at idle in RealTemp and I really am not happy with that. I hope the Arctic Freezer makes a difference.

 

[sonnygdude]

Is the ACF7 Pro coming with MX-1 or MX-2 these days? I remounted the ACF7 on my E8500 cuz I was playing around with it, and used a new tube of MX-2. RealTemp shows cores idling at about 35-37, loads topping out around 52 stock, so you should see some improvement over the stock cooler.

I chose the MX-2 because I read somewhere its properties don't change over time like AS5, which to me indicates better resin/binder. The resin/binder is much more important to the performance of thermal paste then people seem to give credit to - IMHO it's more important than whether you choose a diamond based or ceramic based paste

edits: sorry, typos

 

[nyker96]

THe default MX-1 somehow runs better, I used both, like previous guys said, the original is 2-3C better than the reapplied AS5. Also I used bolt thru kit, seems to improve temp by 1-2C give or take. No clue how MX-2 will fair though possibly better result for this HSF.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Wow, I knew I should have researched the paste on my ACF before wasting the time to clean it and put some AS5 on it. Life lesson #56: Never assume when you don't need to.