Best thermal paste for an AMD processor

[Flat Mop]

As the title might suggest, what is your favourite thermal paste (especially on an AMD CPU)?

 

[sangyup81]

Favorite is Arctic Silver 5. I've heard arguments that other pastes are better but the improvements seem marginal compared to the difference between AS5 and the stock paste

 

[Flat Mop]

Favorite is Arctic Silver 5. I've heard arguments that other pastes are better but the improvements seem marginal compared to the difference between AS5 and the stock paste

I have heard good things about Arctic Silver's thermal pastes before, but I also heard that AMD specifically warn against its use with their processors and it will void the warranty. Sounds a bit uncompetitive of them, so I think it could be untrue though.

 

[lehtv]

Have heard that Noctua NT-H1 and Thermalright CF3 are better than AS5. Plus they don't need a 200 hour curing time x_x

 

[veri745]

I have heard good things about Arctic Silver's thermal pastes before, but I also heard that AMD specifically warn against its use with their processors and it will void the warranty. Sounds a bit uncompetitive of them, so I think it could be untrue though.

Where have you heard this? I've never heard of a thermal paste voiding any warranties.

 

[trollolo]

toothpaste

 

[Elixer]

AS5 does NOT void your warranty per se, however, if you are dumb enough to use a ton of it, and it leaks out the CPU's heatspreader / core, and onto the motherboard or resistors then well, you need a new hobby.

However, it has a very long cure time, and that is why people are not using this much, anymore.

Noctua NT-H1 is pretty good for any CPU / GPU.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermal-Compound-Roundup-March-2011/1207/5

 

[Despoiler]

IC Diamond themal compound. Once you get off silver based compounds and into diamond you will never go back.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

toothpaste

Not sure if serious.

Use anything else than AS5. It has very long curing time, and it is very thick. IC Diamond or Noctua thermal paste is good stuff.

 

[grimpr]

As the title might suggest, what is your favourite thermal paste (especially on an AMD CPU)?

Prolimatech PK-1.

 

[996GT2]

Arctic Cooling MX-2. Outperforms AS5, no burn-in time, cheaper, and much easier to apply. Noctua NT-H1, AC MX-3, and AC MX-4 are good as well, but more expensive than MX-2 for only a very tiny gain.

 

[MadScientist]

I'm going to throw one in from left field. TIM Consultants Quantum Thermal Grease. It's cheap, has a low-medium viscosity, and I've found it performs as well or better than some of the other TIMs.

I found out about their products from benchmarkreviews 80-way TIM review.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62


You can purchase it directly from the manufacturer. Shipping to my state was $1.65.
http://www.thermal-grease.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=18

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Arctic Cooling MX-2. Outperforms AS5, no burn-in time, cheaper, and much easier to apply. Noctua NT-H1, AC MX-3, and AC MX-4 are good as well, but more expensive than MX-2 for only a very tiny gain.

Seconded. I have Prime so its value is basically unbeatable. Anything better and you'll start paying a lot more money for very little real improvement.

 

[Rudy Toody]

IC Diamond thermal compound. Once you get off silver based compounds and into diamond you will never go back.

I second this!

Some have complained that it is difficult to apply, so here is the trick:

1) place pea-sized drop on center of chip
2) install heat-sink (don't spread the IC Diamond)
3) using a small vibrating device such as an electric razor or hair trimmer, hold the device on the heat-sink and give it a 5-second buzz. This spreads the IC Diamond evenly into a thin circle. (Note: the vibrations should be perpendicular to the chip.)

 

[Piano Man]

Indigo Xtreme, although it's not a paste per se.

http://www.indigo-xtreme.com/

 

[sandorski]

Just throwing this in here: Thermal Paste is Processor agnostic. What works "best" on Intel will work "best" on AMD. It transfers Heat and Heat is Heat regardless what is producing it.

 

[Matt1970]

Just throwing this in here: Thermal Paste is Processor agnostic. What works "best" on Intel will work "best" on AMD. It transfers Heat and Heat is Heat regardless what is producing it.

This.

 

[trollolo]

Not sure if serious.

Use anything else than AS5. It has very long curing time, and it is very thick. IC Diamond or Noctua thermal paste is good stuff.

it actually works son

 

[Maximilian]

Peanut butter :thumbsup:

 

[deimos3428]

I like AC MX-4. If I changed HSFs frequently I'd go with MX-2 instead because it's half the price.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I just use AS5. Good, cheap, it works. Why bother with anything else?

 

[sangyup81]

I just use AS5. Good, cheap, it works. Why bother with anything else?

The real reason I keep using AS5 is because I bought a whole bunch years ago and I haven't used it all up yet.

 

[bryanW1995]

I've never used it, but I've heard that toothpaste is actually pretty good.

 

[jvroig]

My favorite has always been Tuniq TX-2

Reviews:
Overclock3D
TechPowerUp
OverClockersClub
ExtremeOverclocking

Recommended/awarded by all four above, pitted against the AS5, and also against AC Ceramique and MX-2 in the OCC review.

I've been using it for the past 3 years. I have no complaints.

But then again, the reality is that thermal paste performance probably has more to do with the skill it is applied with than the actual brand you use beyond a measly 1 or 2C difference, so to each his own.

 

[996GT2]

I just use AS5. Good, cheap, it works. Why bother with anything else?

Because while AS5 may have been the best TIM 5 years ago, there are many better options on the market today, both in terms of performance and ease of application. Many of them are cheaper than AS5, and they also have the added benefit of not being electrically conductive like AS5 is.