Is 'Premium Thermal Compound' better than the stuff you can get at Radioshack??

[CourtDOG]

I plan to use my Abit KT7-Raid MB and a T'Bird processor (have yet to decide on which speed; either a 750, 800, or 850Mhz), plus a Alpha 6065 Heatsink/Fan combo in an attempt to O'clock the T'Bird to around 1000Mhz.

On a few sites I have seen this 'Arctic Silver Premium Thermal compound' that costs $14 and says that:
Superior thermal conductivity.
4.65 to 5.15 W/m*K depending on the version and particular batch.
&
2 to 3 degrees centigrade lower CPU temperatures than any other thermal compound.

I've already spent $40 for the Alpha 6065 and accesories, but would you buy this 'better' thermal compund, do you think it will really make a diffrence when I O'clock my new setup?? I'm a bit skeptical.

 

[EvilDonnyboy]

yes, it makes a couple degress diference. it also won't harden up in a few years, like the RS stuff might.

 

[ctowle]

Evil is right about about the quality, but when was the last time anyone had the same computer for a 'few years'?

 

[Wolfman35]

And the answer is: A Little ...BUT

Arctic Silver has tiny bits of Silver embedded in the silica paste. The Radio Shack stuff has Ceramic modules embedded. Silver has a bit better conductivity but the REAL trick is applying it properly. If you put either type on too thick .... it creates a blanket effect when the excess compound squeezes out around the edges of the chip and actually pulls the heat OUT of the sink and back into the CPU. The Silver is worse about this than the Ceramic so .....

Years ago we used to use Copper gasket sealer to attach Heatsinks to CPU's (chips ect.) and it worked GREAT but you had to develop the perfect technique or the thing would short out. It was good practice.

 

[The Wildcard]

Hmm i have heard from friends that the radio shack compound actually dries up quickly.

 

[DaddyG]

Courtdog,

El cheapo thermal compound, aka RadioShack, can not handle the high heat and high contact pressure of a TBIRD. AMD recommends PCTC but Alpha does not supply it with this HSF. Spend the bucks on Arctic Silver and apply it correctly, when your Bird is overclocked it will be putting out over 50watts of heat!!.

 

[CourtDOG]

For Daddy G;

When I mount my new ALPHA 6065 on my T'Bird to I have to use a special copper plate ada[ter that has holes cut into it so that the transistors and CPU core have room on top. I have seen this 'adapter' on sites selling anywhere from 10-$20. I mean come on, I can't just bleed cash just to O'clock this thing. I've already spent ~$35 for the Alpha and now another 413 for the silver goop. Have you heard of anyone needing or even using this copper shimmy/adapter, would I even need this thing. God, w/ the amount I'm spending, I feel like I am working on a Cray Supercomputer for the DOD.

Thanks

 

[Passions]

i have a tube unopened of that premium stuff, u want it?

 

[Zenophobe]

yes i have the artic silver and it makes all the difference .. it is better running at 83 degress instead of 93 degrees with your standard pregooped heatsink.

 

[DaddyG]

Dog, I posted in your other thread, no adapter required. Just be carefull, AFAIK the Alphas are designed for FC-PGA Peee3's. The clip tension may need some tweaking for TBIRDS. Just make sure that you don't 'rock' the heatsink on the edge of the core when installing. keep hand pressure on the hsf so that its flat against the core as you fasten the clip. Ckeck out Jonnys_hsf, he has some good info. Doesn't show Alpha but you'll get the idea.

 

[CourtDOG]

For BOBBY RIBS:

Sure if you don't wantthe stuff let me know, I'll take it. But do you want to sell it or would you mind just giving it to me? If you want to do the latter, I can mail you a SASE, so you can mail the stuff back to me. THANKS A LOT.

P.S. Is the stuff your talking about Arctic Silver Premium Thermal compound, or some other brand??