How crappy is stock thermal paste?

[Xpred]

I was wondering if you never planned on doing any oc'ing or anything like that, is it necessary to use some of the better thermal paste (ie... any of the ArcticCooling thermal compounds)? How bad is the stock thermal paste that comes with most of the HSF nowadays? Is it a godlike temperature difference? :?

 

[Tu13erhead]

I've seen larger than 5C drops using AS5 over normal stuff.

EDIT: That's a helluva difference if you ask me.

 

[CraKaJaX]

AS5 > all

mines getting delivered today

 

[mooglekit]

AS5 > all, agreed.

Don't mess with generic, it's not worth the gamble...

 

[forumposter32]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
I've seen larger than 5C drops using AS5 over normal stuff.

EDIT: That's a helluva difference if you ask me.

Gee, thanks for that comment. I was thinking of getting a Zalman 7700 alcu next year to replace the cheap Gigabyte Neon Cooler 8. It's still acceptable, but a tad noisy (unless that's the noise from the stupid Northbridge chipset fan). So, I guess I might order AS5 if I do order a 7700 alcu.

\EDIT: That comment about the Gigabyte heatsink being noisy is retarded. After replacing the Northbridge chipset with a Zalman NB47J, my computer is no longer noisy.

 

[CraKaJaX]

You won't regret it. Mines coming with a XP-120... pics will be up this after I hope :X btw, if your chipset fan is dying I recommend the Zalman NB47, great passive cooling and very cheap.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I`m sorry to burst everybodys bubble...but the stock theremal isn`t necessarily crappy!!
Most of these companys don`t send crappy thermal paste with ther products!!

And the results of using AS5 are not the same for everybody accross the board!!
Even reviewers came up with different rersults!!

It will not hurt to use whatecever comes with your order!!

AS5 is all its cracked up to be....

Have a nice day!!

 

[govtcheez75]

The stuff that comes on stock AMD heatsink is solid. Shin Etsu I believe. The white goop that comes in a tube with aftermarket heatsink is junk.

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
I`m sorry to burst everybodys bubble...but the stock theremal isn`t necessarily crappy!!
Most of these companys don`t send crappy thermal paste with ther products!!

And the results of using AS5 are not the same for everybody accross the board!!
Even reviewers came up with different rersults!!

It will not hurt to use whatecever comes with your order!!

AS5 is all its cracked up to be....

Have a nice day!!

Links? Proof?

I've removed ALOT of heatsinks and replaced the stock grease with AS5. I've seen BIG drops in temps, 3-5 degress in many cases.

I'm not saying all companies send bad thermal grease with their products, but AS5 can make a big difference.

Also, you use much less AS5 on a heatsink than you do other stuff (the size of a single rice grain). With other stuff you are suppose to cover the whole chip. This fact alone shows that it performs better than your average off-brand thermal grease.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Ditto, Grimly-K --

$5.99 with free shipping

 

[deeven]

akasa thermal pads are really good, really easy to apply & no mess like you get with paste £4.99 for 5 in maplin

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: grimlykindo

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
I`m sorry to burst everybodys bubble...but the stock theremal isn`t necessarily crappy!!
Most of these companys don`t send crappy thermal paste with ther products!!

And the results of using AS5 are not the same for everybody accross the board!!
Even reviewers came up with different rersults!!

It will not hurt to use whatecever comes with your order!!

AS5 is all its cracked up to be....

Have a nice day!!

Ya know I understand the AS5 craze...
But 3 to 5 degrees......common......is that rewally woirth the price of AS5??

FYI-- There is nothing wrong with the thermal paste that Zalman or Thermalright or other companies ship with there products...

You ask for links and proof?
I`m asking you for links and proof that Thermalright...Zalman...Arctic cooling and other good companies sell a top product and ship crappy thermal paste.....hhmmm

Have a nice day!


Links? Proof?

I've removed ALOT of heatsinks and replaced the stock grease with AS5. I've seen BIG drops in temps, 3-5 degress in many cases.

I'm not saying all companies send bad thermal grease with their products, but AS5 can make a big difference.

Also, you use much less AS5 on a heatsink than you do other stuff (the size of a single rice grain). With other stuff you are suppose to cover the whole chip. This fact alone shows that it performs better than your average off-brand thermal grease.

 

[akugami]

Arctic Ceramique, nearly as good as Arctic Silver 5 and much easier to apply and remove. And absolutely no fear of it shorting something out.

 

[forumposter32]

Originally posted by: CraKaJaX
You won't regret it. Mines coming with a XP-120... pics will be up this after I hope :X btw, if your chipset fan is dying I recommend the Zalman NB47, great passive cooling and very cheap.

I got my Zalman NB47J yesterday. I'm probably going to place it today.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Also, you use much less AS5 on a heatsink than you do other stuff (the size of a single rice grain). With other stuff you are suppose to cover the whole chip. This fact alone shows that it performs better than your average off-brand thermal grease.

Not necessarily....you can`t base your conclusion on that..

 

[Fallengod]

To just sort of reinforce what has been said here already. I have a free $10 off $10 or more coupon at mwave. So the best compound out of THESE Would be the AS5?

 

[0roo0roo]

stock is good enough for stock speed. a few degrees cooler isn't going to do anything for you in real world usage for most.

 

[forumposter32]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
stock is good enough for stock speed. a few degrees cooler isn't going to do anything for you in real world usage for most.

One guy who answered the question.

 

[JE78]

I just used Zalman thermal grease on my XP-90 A64 3200+ and my CPU temps droped almost 10c from the stock.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: akugami
Arctic Ceramique, nearly as good as Arctic Silver 5 and much easier to apply and remove. And absolutely no fear of it shorting something out.

I agree 200%. I use AS Ceramique and it's much easier to apply, and it's 100% non-conducive, so no worries about short circuits.

 

[Xpred]

So the moral of the story... stock paste = good for stock speeds, eh?