Burning in AS5

tofumonster

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May 25, 2007
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How should I go about having my paste set? Should I be running stress tests to heat it up good and then shutting it off? or do i just go about normal use?
 

graysky

Senior member
Mar 8, 2007
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high load for a few hours, then idle for 10-15 min. Key is temp changes as I understand it.
 

MarcVenice

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Apr 2, 2007
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Yeah, you game for a little while, then stop gaming. That's all there is to it, hence normal use.

'burning in' thermal grease is a myth. It 'can' improve over time, but often won't, and it surely will not improve because you burned it in running orthos or tat, then leaving it idle.
 

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
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Originally posted by: MarcVenice
'burning in' thermal grease is a myth. It 'can' improve over time, but often won't, and it surely will not improve because you burned it in running orthos or tat, then leaving it idle.

Yeah, I guess... more of a misnomer, actually...

What you're doing is 'burning off' the solvents in the grease/paste - the stuff that makes it spreadable, if you will.

Some thermal compounds have more of this stuff than others. MX-1, for instance, will improve 1-3C after burn-in, and that's no joke. However, if you don't burn it in correctly, it will take forever to see improvements.

That said, the 'trick' to 'burning in' grease/paste is simply turning off your computer when you're not using it. It's the thermal CYCLING back n' forth to room temp that does the trick!

Soooo, turn your computer off when you're not using it, for about a week, then you're good to leave it on 24/7/365 if you want.

During this burn-in/burn-off process, you should see temps drop somewhat... ;)
 

graysky

Senior member
Mar 8, 2007
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I don't think it's a myth at all... at least with AS5. Have a look at my temp graph after lapping then after lapping and about 300 h of use (here is a link to my IHS lapping thread). There is a statistically significant decrease (around 2 °C) after the break in period. It may be unique to AS5 though since it is really a suspension of finely ground silver. The break in occurs as therm cycles and the pressure of your HS help to squeeze out microscopic air bubbles in the suspension thus giving a more uniform distribution.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
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Originally posted by: graysky
I don't think it's a myth at all... at least with AS5. Have a look at my temp graph after lapping then after lapping and about 300 h of use (here is a link to my IHS lapping thread). There is a statistically significant decrease (around 2 °C) after the break in period. It may be unique to AS5 though since it is really a suspension of finely ground silver. The break in occurs as therm cycles and the pressure of your HS help to squeeze out microscopic air bubbles in the suspension thus giving a more uniform distribution.

TYou are mstaken in several areas....
when talking about AS5 you need to say in my case this is what happenned....
There is NOT statistically a significant decrase in temps for all computers.

YES-- burning in is a myth as was pointed out correctly I might add--
'burning in' thermal grease is a myth. It 'can' improve over time, but often won't, and it surely will not improve because you burned it in running orthos or tat, then leaving it idle.

Peace!!
 

Quiksilver

Diamond Member
Jul 3, 2005
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Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: graysky
I don't think it's a myth at all... at least with AS5. Have a look at my temp graph after lapping then after lapping and about 300 h of use (here is a link to my IHS lapping thread). There is a statistically significant decrease (around 2 °C) after the break in period. It may be unique to AS5 though since it is really a suspension of finely ground silver. The break in occurs as therm cycles and the pressure of your HS help to squeeze out microscopic air bubbles in the suspension thus giving a more uniform distribution.

TYou are mstaken in several areas....
when talking about AS5 you need to say in my case this is what happenned....
There is NOT statistically a significant decrase in temps for all computers.

YES-- burning in is a myth as was pointed out correctly I might add--
'burning in' thermal grease is a myth. It 'can' improve over time, but often won't, and it surely will not improve because you burned it in running orthos or tat, then leaving it idle.

Peace!!

You are aware that this thread is about Arctic Silver 5 which does need a burn in and believe it or not does offer a tangible difference in temperatures before and after burn in. Even Arctic Silver themselves claim that it would be best if you let it burn in to see better temperatures over other pastes.

The only pastes that won't offer a difference are the ones that claim their is no cure time, like MX-1 and MX-2 and even still I would still let it go through a burn in process just to be sure.

It's not a myth, it is a fact.
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
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From my experiences, MX-1 and MX-2 definately benefit more from "burn in" than AS5. MX-1 can have some pretty crazy increases; I've has as good as 3-5C. After about three days of on / off use, I noticed a 2-3C difference with MX-2. The ambient temperature was almost exactly the same as the day I applied it.

AS5 does seem to improve, but it also seems to take forever. I've noticed maybe a 2C difference in a month, at best, with similar ambient temperatures.

I usually try to stress it off and on (Prime95, TAT load, etc.), and turn it off for a few hours once in a while. Usually if I stress it, then let it sit for an hour or two to cool down, I'll notice the most significant change. The 2-3C difference I got with my current MX-2 came after an hour of full load, then 8 hours of being off (overnight).
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
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OMG when I first saw this thread, I thought the number "5" was the letter "S." :shocked:
 

VinDSL

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Originally posted by: Zap
OMG when I first saw this thread, I thought the number "5" was the letter "S." :shocked:

LoL!

When I first read your nick, I thought the letter "Z" was an "S"... Guess this proves it! :laugh:

EDIT

Er...

j/k ;)
 

DerwenArtos12

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2003
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Originally posted by: VinDSL
Originally posted by: Zap
OMG when I first saw this thread, I thought the number "5" was the letter "S." :shocked:

LoL!

When I first read your nick, I thought the letter "Z" was an "S"... Guess this proves it! :laugh:

EDIT

Er...

j/k ;)

You'd probably be better off not insulting the mods, just a little tip.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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81
Originally posted by: VinDSL
Zap is a good guy... I trust him! ;)

Just keep me away from the buffet table - I'm a devil in loose jeans!
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
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Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: graysky
I don't think it's a myth at all... at least with AS5. Have a look at my temp graph after lapping then after lapping and about 300 h of use (here is a link to my IHS lapping thread). There is a statistically significant decrease (around 2 °C) after the break in period. It may be unique to AS5 though since it is really a suspension of finely ground silver. The break in occurs as therm cycles and the pressure of your HS help to squeeze out microscopic air bubbles in the suspension thus giving a more uniform distribution.

TYou are mstaken in several areas....
when talking about AS5 you need to say in my case this is what happenned....
There is NOT statistically a significant decrase in temps for all computers.

YES-- burning in is a myth as was pointed out correctly I might add--
'burning in' thermal grease is a myth. It 'can' improve over time, but often won't, and it surely will not improve because you burned it in running orthos or tat, then leaving it idle.

Peace!!

You are aware that this thread is about Arctic Silver 5 which does need a burn in and believe it or not does offer a tangible difference in temperatures before and after burn in. Even Arctic Silver themselves claim that it would be best if you let it burn in to see better temperatures over other pastes.

The only pastes that won't offer a difference are the ones that claim their is no cure time, like MX-1 and MX-2 and even still I would still let it go through a burn in process just to be sure.

It's not a myth, it is a fact.


I have seen it go both ways....
I all the times I have installed and uninwstalled different heats sinks I will tell you cannot make any definitive statement concerning the burn in period!
Are the people who make AS5 wrong in what they say?---
Due to the unique shape and sizes of the particles in Arctic Silver 5's conductive matrix, it will take a up to 200 hours and several thermal cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity.

No they are not...but the fact remains it is not true all the time!!
For some yes...for others no.....

If you think about it... all thermal pastes regardless on brand eventually go through the same burn in process!!




 

WoodButcher

Platinum Member
Mar 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I usually try to stress it off and on (Prime95, TAT load, etc.), and turn it off for a few hours once in a while. Usually if I stress it, then let it sit for an hour or two to cool down, I'll notice the most significant change. The 2-3C difference I got with my current MX-2 came after an hour of full load, then 8 hours of being off (overnight).

Off?


:eek:



:confused:



what's that?
 

graysky

Senior member
Mar 8, 2007
796
1
81
Originally posted by: JEDIYodaTYou are mstaken in several areas....
when talking about AS5 you need to say in my case this is what happenned....
There is NOT statistically a significant decrase in temps for all computers.

YES-- burning in is a myth as was pointed out correctly I might add--
'burning in' thermal grease is a myth. It 'can' improve over time, but often won't, and it surely will not improve because you burned it in running orthos or tat, then leaving it idle.

Peace!!

I don't think I'm mistaken about burn in and I don't believe it is a myth. I would point you to AS5's Instructions wherein they say:
"Break-In Period
Due to the unique shape and sizes of the particles in Arctic Silver 5 conductive matrix, it will take a up to 200 hours and several thermal cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity. (This period will be longer in a system without a fan on the heatsink or with a low speed fan on the heatsink.) On systems measuring actual internal core temperatures via the CPU's internal diode, the measured temperature will often drop 2C to 5C over this "break-in" period. This break-in will occur during the normal use of the computer as long as the computer is turned off from time to time and the interface is allowed to cool to room temperature. Once the break-in is complete, the computer can be left on if desired."

You have a point about my dataset size; I am basing my statement on my own experiences over the years with AS5... probably 12-14 machines. That said, I didn't rigorously collect temp data on all of them like I did with this one. I would tend to believe the data the manufacture published on the product though.

Just my 2 cents.
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
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Originally posted by: WoodButcher
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I usually try to stress it off and on (Prime95, TAT load, etc.), and turn it off for a few hours once in a while. Usually if I stress it, then let it sit for an hour or two to cool down, I'll notice the most significant change. The 2-3C difference I got with my current MX-2 came after an hour of full load, then 8 hours of being off (overnight).

Off?


:eek:



:confused:



what's that?

It's this scary coincidence when all the planets are in a line, and at least five volcanos are errupting simultaneously and...

...or when the girlfriend gets tired of the glowy lights. Tired, irritated girlfriend + can't sleep + lights = COMPUTER GOES OFF FAST! :p
 

WoodButcher

Platinum Member
Mar 10, 2001
2,158
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76
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Originally posted by: WoodButcher
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I usually try to stress it off and on (Prime95, TAT load, etc.), and turn it off for a few hours once in a while. Usually if I stress it, then let it sit for an hour or two to cool down, I'll notice the most significant change. The 2-3C difference I got with my current MX-2 came after an hour of full load, then 8 hours of being off (overnight).

Off?


:eek:



:confused:



what's that?

It's this scary coincidence when all the planets are in a line, and at least five volcanos are errupting simultaneously and...

...or when the girlfriend gets tired of the glowy lights. Tired, irritated girlfriend + can't sleep + lights = COMPUTER GOES OFF FAST! :p

Ya mean I didn't need a divorce lawyer? :laugh:
 

PolymerTim

Senior member
Apr 29, 2002
383
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0
Originally posted by: WoodButcher
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I usually try to stress it off and on (Prime95, TAT load, etc.), and turn it off for a few hours once in a while. Usually if I stress it, then let it sit for an hour or two to cool down, I'll notice the most significant change. The 2-3C difference I got with my current MX-2 came after an hour of full load, then 8 hours of being off (overnight).

Off?


:eek:



:confused:



what's that?

:laugh: My thoughts exactly! But I run DC projects so I guess I'm biased.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
21,081
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Originally posted by: PolymerTim
Originally posted by: WoodButcher
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I usually try to stress it off and on (Prime95, TAT load, etc.), and turn it off for a few hours once in a while. Usually if I stress it, then let it sit for an hour or two to cool down, I'll notice the most significant change. The 2-3C difference I got with my current MX-2 came after an hour of full load, then 8 hours of being off (overnight).

Off?


:eek:



:confused:



what's that?

:laugh: My thoughts exactly! But I run DC projects so I guess I'm biased.

blah me too so i cant do the "burn in process" like you guy do. My rigs all been online and live 100% 24/7 from day 1. :\