Is there good alternative to Artic $ilver?

[xraymongral]

I know this stuff is good, but it seems like more than alot for thermal paste. There must be some other alternatives out there, anyone find them? I have looked on a few industrial supply pages, but no luck so far.

Also, has anyone have e lead on some of the older reviews of thermal paste before artic silver came onto the scene?

Thanks

 

[ZeroBurn]

the goop from 3dfxcool.com and the RadioShack stuff works really well if you're on a tight budget and can't splurge for the silver stuff. there isn't much else out there though

 

[vfrjim]

Just bite the bullet and buy it, I was like you till 2 days ago, now I am 4 degrees Celcius cooler then I was before. I've tried about 6 different ones, and all were just the same till Arctic Silver came along.

IMHO

Jim

 

[Mikewarrior2]

2 tubes of AS has lasted me 50+ Cpus and stil going.


Mike

 

[WildDreamer]

There are a few copper thermal paste products floating around on the net that claim to perform similar to Arctic Silver for a lower price. Supposedly this copper stuff is just anti-seize for threaded pipe joints, or something quite similar, and is available at Home Depot for around $12 a quart.

As to how good this stuff is the jury is still out, but here are a couple of reviews:

Vantec Iced Copper Thermal Paste

Thermal Compound Deathmatch...

Anybody want to give this stuff a try? I tried looking for this at Home Depot but couldn't find any.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Iced copper is like 20-25% copper, the rest is the basic anti-sieze ingredients... Not the greatest grease in the world, and I do like how cluboverclocker did hte test on a p3.


Mike

 

[necromancyr]

I must stick in my 2 cents here.

It SERIOUSLY depends on your setup. If you using a high quality HSF the thermal compound is going to play a much bigger part then if your using stock/cheaper (orbs) ones.

Use MikeWarrior's equations and all and figure out your HSF's ceiling of performance. If your over it, then adding better thermal compound can only help.

Personally, I use the radioshack stuff and its fine on my Cel566 and Gorb setup.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

that's true.... Arctic silver is for those who want maximum performance . Good alternatives would be stuff like the Melcor Aluminum stuff, albiet I'm not sure how much cheaper it would be.

However, i haven't heard whether or not the Melcor stuff handles t-bird/duron heat and clip pressure yet. It probably does, but not enough people use it to know.


Mike

 

[xraymongral]

I guess the problem with Artic $ilver lies in the fact that it is in such a big amount. I only need enough for 2 or 3 applications at most. It would be nice if they would sell it in a small size. Then it would not make me shake my head and roll my eyes when I see the price,and then you have to tack on shipping.

 

[Spoooon]

Just order some whenever you need to get some fans or something else. I ordered a tube at the same time I was ordering a blorb, a new heatsink for my brother, and some fans. Then I put arctic silver on everything I own.

 

[chutamango]

Well if you go to directron.com...they actuall sell heatsinks and cooling systems with an option to put artic Silver on there for 2.99...so im assuming that it comes in a small pacakge and its good enoughj foir 2-3 applications...

chuta

 

[Mikewarrior2]

As far as I know, Arctic Silver is only sold in the larger tubes. Directron may or may not selling you genuine AS when they sell you the small tube.

Will Post as soon as I know more about this.


Mike

 

[Anon19]

that one big tube will probably last me a long time.