Question about thermal paste

[PCJake]

I'm getting the Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler (to be used with a Core i7 930) and I had two questions about thermal paste:

1. Is Arctic Silver 5 still the best stuff to use?

2. How much should I use and how should I apply it?

According to the instructions for installing the cooler on Noctua's website, I should only apply a small (4-5mm) dot at the center of the CPU's heat spreader. That's quite a bit less than I used on my Q6600 with an AC Freezer 7 Pro, so I just wanted to check with you guys to make sure that's right. Thanks!

 

[Schmide]

I beleive Shin-Etsu has taken over the top performer edging out the cheese.

Application method previous page.

 

[Zap]

"The best" can vary depending on your needs, budget, etc.

For instance if you were doing sub-0°C cooling, you would want to consider Ceramique over Arctic Silver.

If you want best temperature performance regardless of consequences, consider Liquid Metal or IC7.

If you need something that works well even in thicker applications (such as if parts don't make great contact) then the Shin Etsu stuff is top notch.

 

[Nurn]

Arctic Silver 5 is very good, you don't need anything else.

I prefer the "line" method over the "dot" method, it ensure you get better coverage over the four cores. Just make sure your line is in the correct axis. I think there are instructions at the Arctic Silver site.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_application_method.html

 

[Russwinters]

I have tried the line and dot method, and neither compare to the method I have used for years and years. No matter what kind of paste.


I always use a zip lock bag and massage the heatsink base with some compound, not very much just a little drop, enough to spread across the area that will make contact with the CPU's heat spreader.


then, i use the "card" method to spread out a thin layer across the whole heat spreader.

it should be very thin, but should make it so you cannot see the heatspeader metal anymore.

I use MX-2 right now and it works better then AS5 did for me, but I have recently heard that Shin-Etsu is the best.

 

[Schmide]

Arctic Silver 5 is very good, you don't need anything else.

I actually disagree to an extent. Arctic Sliver 5 has a negligible electrical conductivity and should be kept away from electrical components. Other products have equaled or exceeded its performance without this dangerous trait.

 

[MagickMan]

I use SE, it's been the best from the ones I've tried. Make friends with your local Apple service guy and you can get it for almost nothing. The drawer in my shop has about 40 syringes of the stuff.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Just make sure that, if you use Shin-Etsu paste, that you use x23-7783D. That's their best paste. G751 isn't bad, but it isn't quite as good, and x23-7762 falls behind 7783D a bit (though it isn't awful).

 

[Dark Shroud]

Noctua CPU coolers usually come with their brand of Thermal compound and it works very well. In fact it's better than AS5 since it doesn't require curing time.