• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Shin-Etsu vs. ASIII Thermal Compound and ThermalRight SLK-900U vs. Alpha 8942 How did they compare?

J

jhites

Golden Member
I have been reading quite a few articles about the Shin-Etsu thermal compound and the ThermalRight SLK-900U. Thought I would see for myself if these could do better than my Alpha 8942 with ASIII. I had my doubts but not now.

Is it worth changing thermal compounds and/or heatsinks???
Opinions vary ? Up to you.

First: A couple of points about this Shin-Etsu thermal compound. It is extremely thick and can be difficult to spread. It has a tendency to glob or roll up. I used a plastic baggy to apply it and finally just applied quite a bit more than I have ever used with AS. I massaged it over the die until it was finally completely covered and then used my credit card laying very flat to progressively smooth and remove the excess thermal compound that was on the die. Actually wiped off the credit card several times to remove the excess.

Second: the SLK-900U has a base that does not cover the entire die of the P4, which concerned me at first. Using a 92mm fan also hangs over the side of the heatsink. I used the screw mount that comes with the sink similar to the 8942, which uses the spring screws for pressure.

This is the improvement I experienced
I was using a 80mm 50cfm Sunon on the Alpha and a 92mm 57cfm Panaflo on the 900U. So these were pretty close but not exactly the same.
Shin-Etsu thermal compound vs. AS3 reduced temps on the Alpha 8942 by
3C idle and 5C load.
SLK-900U vs. Alpha 8942 reduced temps by another
2C idle and 3C load.
Totally my temps have now dropped 5C idle and 8C load.
It did take 4 days to see the best performance improvement with the Shin-Etsu, as the first day or two it was almost the same as the AS3.

I used MBM and Asus Probe to check these temps so the comparison would be relative with the monitors used.
I was getting 47C idle and 61c load (3 hours Prime95)
Now I have been consistently running at 42C idle and 53C load.
 
Thank you very much jhites.

I just applied Shin-Etsu as well along with my SLK-900. It's been two days, and temperatures are basically the same. Hopefully another couple of days will result in better performance.

And I know EXACTLY what you mean about applying the Shin-Etsu. It is much more difficult than applying ASIII.
 
Jhites good job buddy! I'm sold on the SLK900U and they Shimba Doodo (or whatever it's called🙂).

No seriously, I think the SLK-900U and the Shin-Etsu will be my next project. It helps me feel like I am making a more informed decision when real users share their opinions and results.
 
(New)SLK-900 and Shin Etsu vs. (Previous)SLK-900 and Type 44 Thermal Compound*

Abit BH7
P4 2.4B C1 - 3105MHz@1.525v
ThermalRight SLK-900 w/Delta 80mmx38mm 68.5cfm fan

Day one: 35C Idle (reduced by 4C), 50C Load (reduced by 7C)

I used a template from a Cooler Master Thermal Compound Kit to apply the Shin Etsu. (I received it free with my BH7 from excaliberpc.com). It is a little tricky applying, but using the template and plastic card from the kit, I was able to apply a uniform layer on the SLK-900.

So far I'm impressed. From your observations and those of tech reviews, it appears it takes 3+ days to settle in. I'll report back in a couple days. 🙂


*LardOCP tested Type 44 to be equal in performance to Arctic Silver
 
What is the difference in noise levels? The one thing I like about 92mm fans is that you can push more air at lower volumes. So, you could possibly get a better O/C at quieter levels. Right now, I have a 92mm Panaflo H1A on top of my Swiftech 462+. It's very nice, and I wouldn't go back.
 
http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm
forget shin-etsu, marmite is where its at for teh l33t pr0 cooling goop m8s.

no goop is going to drop 7c from ASiii, unless you botch the ASiii job - and im using Shin Estsu G571 right now, theres an old thread somewhere in here i made about the stuff. Ive read more dodgy reviews of Shin Etsu than any other product, laughable bs such as one guy trying to state his cpu was lower than ambient room temp with a bog standard hsf. It's perfectly good goop, but an awful lot of bs about it.

I dont see the point comparing two thermal compounds and two different coolers at the same time. one cooler & two goop maybe; two cooler and one goop maybe; its not like you cant use either goop with either hsf.
 
Originally posted by:

I dont see the point comparing two thermal compounds and two different coolers at the same time. one cooler & two goop maybe; two cooler and one goop maybe; its not like you cant use either goop with either hsf.
Click to expand...


if you had read the first post, you would see that he did compare shin-etsu to as3 with the alpha.
 
If you want to crap on a thread, you should at least read it first.
Originally posted by: Davegod

no goop is going to drop 7c from ASiii, unless you botch the ASiii job
Click to expand...
Shin-Etsu thermal compound vs. AS3 reduced temps on the Alpha 8942
by 3C idle and 5C load.
I dont see the point comparing two thermal compounds and two different coolers at the same time. one cooler & two goop maybe; two cooler and one goop maybe; its not like you cant use either goop with either hsf.
Click to expand...
SLK-900U vs. Alpha 8942 reduced temps by another
2C idle and 3C load.
Totally my temps have now dropped 5C idle and 8C load.


 
7c is a typo, like G571 instead of G751. I did read the posts, its still the content i have a problem with.
rolleye.gif


Quality goop is better than crappy goop because it lasts longer. Shin Etsu is no better than AS3, nor is it any worse, other than being a right pain to apply and having a horde of people make comedy claims about it.

The "ultimate" thermal grease will reduce CPU core temps by about 1 C. there's maths in it so it must be true.

I crap on the thread because what you claim is at best error and people are considering parting with their cash.
 
I crap on the thread because what you claim is at best error and people are considering parting with their cash.
Click to expand...

That implies John and I are purposely coercing folk to throw away their hard earned money. Not so.

Ours' are honest observations, that's all.

 
Originally posted by: Davegod
I crap on the thread because what you claim is at best error and people are considering parting with their cash.
Click to expand...
These are real world numbers that I did get from the Shin-Etsu and the SLK-900U. You can dispute it until your heart is content but I can see the reality of the difference here.
As I stated in the original post - Opinions vary. You are entitled to yours but it does not change
the results that this combination achieved.
There was also quit a bit of discussion in the threads at overclockers.com about the review that Joe had done on the thermal compounds that you linked. Some agreed and some did not.
Originally posted by: jhites
Is it worth changing thermal compounds and/or heatsinks???
Opinions vary ? Up to you.
Click to expand...
I do as of now prefer the pain in the a** to apply Shin-Etsu and the SLK-900U as my air cooling system of choice.
 
I'd like to offer another first-hand experience to this thread. I applied Shin-Etsu five days ago and have yet to notice a significant difference between it and ASIII. Temperatures have remained basically unchanged.

Don't get me wrong, I really wanted it to work better. But for me, it hasn't. For others, apparently it can go either way.
 
jhites, your results showed you dopped temps with one goop replacement and then again on a hsf replacement. I dont know why you post a ASUS Probe screen of your new temps, especially without the comparison and anyway it STILL says nothing other than you reduced you temps some how or other; you suspecting reason being better goop, me more sceptical and suspecting a better hsf install. try using both goop on the SLK-900U, which acts something of a control group to whats not possible to be much of a scientific experiment anyway (see that dans data article). If you still get lower temps with the G751, great.

Tates, "Your accusations are resented." LOL. How does "at best error" imply "purposely coercing" anyway? error.
rolleye.gif

 
try using both goop on the SLK-900U, which acts something of a control group to whats not possible to be much of a scientific experiment anyway (see that dans data article).
Click to expand...
I wouldn't recommend doing that, as many different brands (including AS) tell you not to use different thermal compounds before or afterwards b/c the old compound will taint the HS by filling the porous microscopic pits. Its not just marketing BS or an effort to monopolize your heat sinks, that stuff just doesn't come out.

Anyways, I've always gone with thermal compounds for performance and ease of application, which is why I've generally stuck with and recommend AS2/3. A few degrees here or there could certainly be a result of human error or changes in the control environment, but that's no reason to question people's motives or results. I get upset sometimes when people make claims that are clearly wrong or biased which might mislead someone in a purchasing decision, but I don't think that's the case in this instance. Its a few bucks, and for some its worth it to squeeze slightly better performance out of their cooling.

Good insight guys, good to know there's an alternative to AS out there.

Chiz
 
he's probably wondering about the "U", apparently theres a newer version of the SLK-900 with 2 extra fins or something.
 
Originally posted by: Davegod
he's probably wondering about the "U", apparently theres a newer version of the SLK-900 with 2 extra fins or something.
Click to expand...

The SLK-900 "U" fixes compatibility issues with P4 mobos. You will probably only be able to find the 900U once original 900 stock is exhausted. The SLK-800 has 3 versions, the original, the 800A (2 extra fins, slightly different cut-outs on the profile of each fin), and the 800U which is identical to the 800A except it has a bolt-on mechanism identical to the SLK-900. You should be able to find both the 800A and 800U in quantity.

Chiz
 
The ThermalRight SLK-900U is available from Heatsink Factory
This was the only place that I found the "U" version available
at the time of my purchase.
It's not cheap @ 49.99 + shipping and as I mentioned I also
purchased a 92mm Panaflo high output 57cfm fan at the same
time as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top