Question For i9-9900K, does it matter whether I use Noctua NT-H1 or NT-H2?

H T C

Senior member
Nov 7, 2018
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Hello, I think there is a NT-H1 thermal paste that came with the Noctua NH-D15S. For i9-9900K, is it better to use the new NT-H2? It looks like the improvement is not that much for this CPU platform. Is it risky to use a completely new product that has not been tested by real customers and reviewers?

https://noctua.at/en/performance-comparison-nt-h1-vs-nt-h2?___from_store=de

This paste is supposedly better for big CPUs VS small CPUs: the difference VS Noctua's older paste increases in such cases, or so was said in this Noctua video:


EDIT

That's what i get for not using the link provided ...

The video above is from that link in the OP ... facepalm ...
 
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anandtechreader

Senior member
Apr 12, 2018
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Yes, looks like for the LGA1151, the improvement is only 0.x degrees.

Somewhere I read that with the new thermal paste, users only need to renew the application between the CPU and the heatsink every 5 years. What about the older NT-H1?
 

Campy

Senior member
Jun 25, 2010
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NT-H1 is a very good paste. I wouldn't worry about this at all, just use whichever one you already have. If you want absolute best performance buy some Kryonaut instead.
 
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anandtechreader

Senior member
Apr 12, 2018
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Thanks. I bought the 11.1g version of Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease. From the product photos, it seems to contain just a syringe in a black packagin bag. For the 1g version, from the photos it seems to come with an addition plastic spreader to spread the thermal paste across the CPU. From other posts in the forum, application of a small dot or a X-shape pattern are recommended. Why they included a spreader in the 1g version not the 11.1g version? In one post, somebody mentioned that it is harder to work with compared with the NTH1 as it is gum like. For this thermal paste, do we have to use the spreader to manually spread the paste across the CPU or just use it like the Noctua NTH1 (i.e. applying only a small dot)?
 

anandtechreader

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LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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Thanks. For this product, why we need to spread the paste by ourselves rather than just add a small drop in the middle and let the pressure between the CPU and heatsink to do the spreading?
I think it probably does not expand well or evenly under pressure, so it needs to be spread out manually in a thin layer.

That is just a guess, though.
 

Jan Olšan

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Jan 12, 2017
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A colleague from Slovakia that specialises in cooling and similar areas published a review/test of the NT-H2 compound (comparing against NT-H1) and praises it.
The text is obviously not in english but graphs are (page 3 of the review), so in conjunction with google translate it should give you an idea.

It's here: https://www.hwcooling.net/bohyna-teplovodivych-past-ma-svoje-meno-noctua-nt-h2/

He measured a temperature improvement of 1.2 degree C with a CPU consuming 225 W and 1.8C when the CPU consumed 275 W. The test was with Threadripper which likely has easier transfer between die and IHS than 9900K and a large IHS but it's a relative improvement so it should help a 9900K too.
 

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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As stated, you only see 1-2C difference between pastes of similar properties (i.e. different non-conductive pastes, different liquid metal pastes, etc). If you already have a non-conductive paste and want to use a non-conductive paste, use what you have.

Typically I use MX-2 (as I still have a bunch of it) and it doesn't dry out after application (i.e. it lasts 8-10 years before needing to take a look at it, at which point most people have replaced the component (or if it is a game console, don't mind doing that little bit of care maintenance to keep it working)).

If you are out of the type of paste you want to use, then there is a good reason to take a look at the reviews out there and try and get some of the best performing, but also remember that you may be paying a large price premium (Grizzly Kryonaut costs about $18 for 4 grams, while MX4 can be had for $9).
 
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anandtechreader

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Apr 12, 2018
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To Grizzly Kryonaut users.... The company told me that for the 9900K, I can use a dot, a X or spread across the metal method, donesn't matter. However, "While spreading the paste you have to use a bit of pressure and spread it slowly from one side to the other side, with one run lasting about 5 seconds."

How thin should I apply the paste if I do the spread all over method? Thin enough to see the words on the top of the CPU?

Why I have to use a bit of pressure?

By "5 seconds", does that mean within 5 seconds, I have to apply the paste on the CPU surface and screw the heatsink on top of it all in 5 seconds?

Why I need to have it done in about 5 second?

I asked them but no comment.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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To Grizzly Kryonaut users.... The company told me that for the 9900K, I can use a dot, a X or spread across the metal method, donesn't matter. However, "While spreading the paste you have to use a bit of pressure and spread it slowly from one side to the other side, with one run lasting about 5 seconds."

How thin should I apply the paste if I do the spread all over method? Thin enough to see the words on the top of the CPU?

Why I have to use a bit of pressure?

By "5 seconds", does that mean within 5 seconds, I have to apply the paste on the CPU surface and screw the heatsink on top of it all in 5 seconds?

Why I need to have it done in about 5 second?

I asked them but no comment.
They mean that you should spread it slowly, taking ~5 seconds per pass across the chip.

That will prevent air getting trapped in the paste.

They do not mean you have 5 seconds total...

You worry about a lot of stuff...
 
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anandtechreader

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Apr 12, 2018
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They mean that you should spread it slowly, taking ~5 seconds per pass across the chip.

That will prevent air getting trapped in the paste.

They do not mean you have 5 seconds total...

You worry about a lot of stuff...


Thanks for the clarification. How many passes should I do? Am I correct that just apply a thin layer across the metal on the CPU. So thin that I can see the words printed on the the CPU?
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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As many passes as it takes to cover the IHS.

"As thin as possible" sounds pretty thin.

Would it do any good to point out that the free NT-H1 that came with the Noctua cooler is much easier to apply?

 

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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As many passes as it takes to cover the IHS.

"As thin as possible" sounds pretty thin.

Would it do any good to point out that the free NT-H1 that came with the Noctua cooler is much easier to apply?

Yes, I agree that "As thin as possible" can indeed be too thin. It all depends on your heatsink and CPU. If they have both been lapped and are known to be dead flat and have been polished to 5-10 microns, then sure, you can aim for that thin as possible style. From looking online, the i9-9900k's lid tends to be high on the edges and concave in the middle, meaning there is a lot of gap. So, you may need as much as .5mm thickness (or more) of thermal paste if your heatsink is flat (which, just like the CPU lid, isn't always the case either). You can lap the CPU lid and heatsink to make things better, but that will void the warranty on the CPU, and possibly on the heatsink as well (usually not as big a deal with the heatsink).
 
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DrMrLordX

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Apr 27, 2000
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Yes, I agree that "As thin as possible" can indeed be too thin. It all depends on your heatsink and CPU. If they have both been lapped and are known to be dead flat and have been polished to 5-10 microns, then sure, you can aim for that thin as possible style. From looking online, the i9-9900k's lid tends to be high on the edges and concave in the middle, meaning there is a lot of gap. So, you may need as much as .5mm thickness (or more) of thermal paste if your heatsink is flat (which, just like the CPU lid, isn't always the case either). You can lap the CPU lid and heatsink to make things better, but that will void the warranty on the CPU, and possibly on the heatsink as well (usually not as big a deal with the heatsink).

Every time I lapped one of my CPUs, it became obvious how uneven the IHS surface was. Its so bad that sometimes the nickel coating on the copper slug is not even. I may lap my 1800x this summer before I get Zen2 to see if I can get better temps on it.

If I had a 9900k, I'd be tempted to lap that, too.
 

anandtechreader

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Apr 12, 2018
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What is mean by "lapping" the CPU?

What do you think of the amount shown in this video?

I asked the manufacturer of Grizzly Kryonaut twice to show me a photo or video on the amount of paste that I should apply. It has been a few days. No comment from them. They charge a high cost for their products. Should have better customer services. Noctua's customer services is excellent.
 

UsandThem

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May 4, 2000
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Lapping is when a person uses something like sandpaper to grind down the heatspreader and/or the heatsink. It's nothing you want to do.

As far as how to apply the thermal paste, don't overthink it. You can watch any of the different methods on YouTube, and you will be fine as long as you don't use too much (which would squirt out of the sides of your heatsink when pressure is applied).

I use the "pea size" method, however, i spread it around the middle of the CPU just a tiny bit (about an inch squared in the middle). When I install my Noctua heatink, it applies enough pressure to spread around the heatspreader.
 
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anandtechreader

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Apr 12, 2018
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Yes, I agree that "As thin as possible" can indeed be too thin. It all depends on your heatsink and CPU. If they have both been lapped and are known to be dead flat and have been polished to 5-10 microns, then sure, you can aim for that thin as possible style. From looking online, the i9-9900k's lid tends to be high on the edges and concave in the middle, meaning there is a lot of gap. So, you may need as much as .5mm thickness (or more) of thermal paste if your heatsink is flat (which, just like the CPU lid, isn't always the case either). You can lap the CPU lid and heatsink to make things better, but that will void the warranty on the CPU, and possibly on the heatsink as well (usually not as big a deal with the heatsink).

Thanks. I use Noctua NH-D15S.
 

ehume

Golden Member
Nov 6, 2009
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I always used a 3-4mm bleb on my heatsinks (if you have ever messed with a pea you would say that a pea is way too large). I found that if I made less than a 3mm bleb, the TIM would not spread to the corners of the IHS. If I went over 4mm, I would get spillover -- not that spillover is a bad thing if you use nonconductive paste. The nice thing about Noctua TIMs is that the spillover seemed to cling to the junction, and not fall to the motherboard.

For Noctua TIMs give it a day to spread and thin before you try serious overclocking. My favorite was GC Extreme, but we all have our preferences. I like the viscosity of the Noctua: "Just Right," IMO. Glad that they have come out with type 2.