Thermal grease or thermal pads?

[Valinos]

I've been using thermal grease on all of my computers, but I've been curious as to how well the thermal pads transfer the heat away from the CPU...any better or worse than grease? or does it not really matter?

Thanks

 

[MichaelD]

It does matter a great deal. You absolutely need so kind of TIM (Thermal Interface Material) A thermal pad is better than nothing. Thermal grease is slightly better and Artctic Silver II is about 50% better than the other two. A tube of AS II will run you about $15 shipped. I've used it 5 times already and the plunger has barely moved it. Get a tube; it'll last a good long time and it's the best stuff out there right now.

 

[pillage2001]

A tube of AS2 will only cost 7 bucks shipped. Try looking over at the Hotdeals forum.

 

[MichaelD]

Ah, it was $15 when I purchased mine back in Feb. Better for you! It's 1/2 price now!

 

[corkyg]

Pad is OK. Grease is OK-OK. Paste is OK-OK-OK. AS is OK-OK-OK-OK.

 

[Mo0o]

you should go with paste.

 

[Challenger]

Arctic Silver