What is the best Thermal Paste or grease?

[jaiello]

So I need some thermal grease for my CPU Cooler. I have changed it and removed it a few times and need some new grease because now I am out. I used the stuff that came with my Thermalright Venomous X and liked it but what does everyone else like/use? What is the best stuff out there?

 

[Zap]

The best stuff is... the thermal paste that is applied properly.

Okay, the "best" stuff is probably those expensive liquid metal or diamond ones. However, besides the cost, some of those are difficult to apply and have other caveats.

Seriously though, except for a couple of exotic ones out there, most thermal compounds are within a couple degrees of each other. For mere mortals, just buy one that is in your price range and is in stock. Then, make sure to apply just enough for a really thin layer. You want proper contact, but don't want excess. It isn't rocket science.

If you are in the habit of going through a lot of the stuff, then I would suggest something cheaper and in a large syringe. I personally use Alumina (by Arctic Silver) in a honking big syringe for under $10 shipped. It will last... dunno, many, many, many dozens of heatsink installs. Besides being cheap and plentiful, I also like how easy it is to spread and how easy it is to clean up. Is it the "best" on the market? No. However, it is "good enough" for me due to those properties beyond pure performance.

 

[jaiello]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

[CitanUzuki]

Absolute best would be indigo xtreme. It does have an unorthodox method of application however. Zap definitely has a point in that the method of application and proper mount make all the difference in the world. If you do end up with a high viscosity/high performance TIM, you can put the syringe in warm water so that it spreads a little easier.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I bought a syringe of ROSEWILL.....ROSEWILL fucking thermal compound to replace AS5...works just as well (lol?). Which goes to the point...it's not always about how good the product it...it's about how well it is used/applied. A thin sheet> a big ol' slob(which is what a lot of people that know NOTHING about computer[or are making their first build] end up with) The more is NOT the better.

 

[zagood]

Good testing article, 80 different ones put to the test.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62

 

[balane]

Many people confuse the word, "Best" with the words, "What I have in my computer." so take answers here with a grain of salt. Do your research and find independent tests/comparisons. You will find that there is a decent sized group of high quality compounds which all work great. Methods of application and other variables will sway their performance wildly.

Do an hour's worth of reading on line and you'll have a difficult time making a bad choice.

I typically use AS5 or Shin Etsu for the important jobs but that's mostly because I can buy it around the corner.

 

[Zap]

it's not always about how good the product it...it's about how well it is used/applied. A thin sheet> a big ol' slob(which is what a lot of people that know NOTHING about computer[or are making their first build] end up with) The more is NOT the better.

OMFG that reminds me of a system a local gamer brought to me for repair. He tried to upgrade his rig himself (originally built by a friend of mine) and it would not POST.

I found two problems.

First, his Phenom was rotated 90° in the socket, causing a few bent pins in one corner. I fixed it up for him and luckily the CPU still worked.

Second, he use a "single use Arctic Silver 5" syringe. Uh oh, they don't make a "single use" package AFAIK. Yup, a FULL syringe of AS5 was applied to the CPU before the heatsink was mashed down on the whole thing. AS5 all over the CPU, the socket (mostly edges) and the motherboard area around the socket. More luck, as nothing was damaged/shorted out after I cleaned it up ($&%^#$).

Methods of application and other variables will sway their performance wildly.

Ah yes, "other variables." For instance AS5 seems to like nicely mated surfaces. Shin Etsu tends to be forgiving if surfaces aren't exactly mated. Ceramique works better than most in sub-freezing temperatures (using phase change or TECs).

The answer is never easy.

 

[wpcoe]

I tried some generic (at least I never heard of the makers before) cheap thermal compounds, and found them very hard to apply/spread. Then I bought Artic Silver 5, and it was like spreading butter.

Even the thermal compound that came with my CoolerMaster HSF had a peanut-butter consistency.

 

[jaiello]

Good testing article, 80 different ones put to the test.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62

This was the best advice I received. Thanks.

 

[CurseTheSky]

AS5 is still one of my favorites in terms of spreading. I was actually getting better temperatures by "tinning" both surfaces (IHS and heatsink) with AS5 by forcefully applying it by rubbing it on the surfaces with my finger in a plastic bag, then applying a pea-sized amount of compound in the middle of the IHS as usual.

Anything modern works well, though. Just try not to overpay for something because it *might* get you a 1-2C difference.

 

[Leyawiin]

http://www.amazon.com/Ocztfrztc-Extr.../dp/B00128TA78

I like this stuff, but as others have said just buy a good brand and apply it right. The difference from one to the other will be minimal.

 

[rrplay]

I prefer the method [AS5 single-dot ] and for me the 'tinning' is key

CurseTheSky

AS5 is still one of my favorites in terms of spreading. I was actually getting better temperatures by "tinning" both surfaces (IHS and heatsink) with AS5 by forcefully applying it by rubbing it on the surfaces with my finger in a plastic bag, then applying a pea-sized amount of compound in the middle of the IHS as usual.

and definitely use OCZ Freeze so basically ditto the last 2 posts
couldn't agree more on this.

 

[jaiello]

I ended up buying the Artic Silver 5. I also like the Chill Factor III from Thermalright.

 

[hellotyler]

ICDiamond is rumored to be quite good.

 

[JM Popaleetus]

ICDiamond, hands down.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

AS5 is still one of my favorites in terms of spreading. I was actually getting better temperatures by "tinning" both surfaces (IHS and heatsink) with AS5 by forcefully applying it by rubbing it on the surfaces with my finger in a plastic bag, then applying a pea-sized amount of compound in the middle of the IHS as usual.

Don't you mean "tinting"? And the instructions for it differ slightly from your method. And according to this it only decreases the break-in period.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appmeth/int/vl/intel_app_method_vertical_line_v1.1.pdf

 

[Patrick Wolf]

ICDiamond, hands down.

With 24 carats of micronized diamond it had better be the best. Course that comparison posted above says otherwise. While those results aren't without a margin of error, my guess would be it's mostly a marketing ploy. Though it's still great stuff and for the price you pay at least you get a lot of it, as well as being non capacitive or electrically conductive.

However, there are complaints about it taking off CPU markings. And that above chart doesn't include MX-3 which you'd be better off with as it's probably easier to apply and just as good, or better.

http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling/772468-ic-diamond-24-carat-vs-ac.html

Additional independent review (indigo xtreme won, though he didn't properly break-in AS5 as recommended so I'd take those results with a grain of salt [even though he's right, the 200 hr. break-in period is insane]): http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=232141

With graphs:
http://skinneelabs.com/tim-v2.html

 

[Modelworks]

The white grease that has been around for 50 years. Almost impossible to apply wrong.

 

[Campy]

I use AS5. Good stuff, pretty simple to apply.

 

[RussianSensation]

I would strongly consider MX-4 or Tuniq TX-4. No matter how many systems I have built, my trusty old Tuniq TX-2 outperforms my AS5 every time. Even back then, generally MX-2 and TX-2 were considered superior to the AS5 (commonly used by many). I tried every application method (spreading, dot, lines, etc.) and AS5 can't beat it.

Fast forward and the latest MX-4 / TX-4 are going to be even better than the AS5.

You can check out Overclockers.net who all pretty much say ICD7, OCZ Freeze Extreme, ShinEtsu, MX-3/4, TX-4, any of these are fine and about within 1C-2*C of each other with proper application and use.

 

[Skott]

I've used shin-itsu and AS5. I hear ICDiamond is quite good as well. I use AS5 as my main choice simply because I have never had an issue with it and I trust its reliability over the years. However I think if you were to use any of these three and apply it properly you will not have any problems.

 

[MadScientist]

I replaced a MB in a Dell computer about 4 years ago and had to take the heat sink off. It had an Intel dual core CPU. I applied AS5 to it in a vertical line, as per AS5's instructions. The owner keeps the computer on the floor and does not clean it.

I had to replace the MB again. The inside of the computer and CPU heat sink were very dirty. I noticed that the AS5 had a dried out flaky texture around the outer surface of the CPU, but was almost liquid in the middle. High CPU temps or after 4 years is this normal for AS5? The CPU was still working.

I read benchmarksreviews TIM testing article and gave TIM Consultants T-C Grease 0098 a try on my i5-750. It scored pretty high in their tests and is fairly cheap, $3.00/2.5 oz syringe + cheap shipping from the manufacturer. http://www.tim-consultants.com/matrix1.html So far, I have had good results from it and it's easy to spread. Getting the same idle and load temps that I did when I first applied it, ~1 year ago.

It's a silicon based, Aluminum/Zinc oxide TIM, similar to Artic 2,3,4 and Tuniq 2,3,4.