what should I expect from Arctic Silver

[stockriderman]

My x2 4200 is running at 43c idle now. I was adviced that maybe I should put some arctic silver solution. Will this really help and to what degree?

thanks

 

[stevty2889]

it varies some, maybe 3c-5c in the right conditions.

 

[l Xes l]

mine came from 38c to 30c w/ AS5..

 

[imported_Kensai]

It depends on what TIM you're using right now.

 

[Jeff7181]

I'm pretty sure the grey compound on retail AMD heatsinks is made by Shin Etsu. There's no reason to remove that to use Arctic Silver 5. The only reason to use AS5 instead is if you've already installed the heatsink with the stock stuff and need to take it off for whatever reason and then put it back on. You shouldn't ever reuse old TIM... always clean it and put fresh on. Use it sparingly. That's all you need, no more. And you DON'T need to spread it out. I don't care what anyone thinks, Arctic Silver knows their own product, and my 2.6 GHz Athlon 64 running on 1.5 volts at 30 degrees C idle and 55 degrees C max with the retail AMD heatsink/fan agree's with them.

 

[redhatlinux]

I always get back to the same question. 'Why, with all the $$$'s AMD spends on research have the never recommended AS, in any of its flavors. (gotta say I havn't checked lately, I assume that this is still true).

 

[Ronin]

Nothing, for about 6-7 days. Has to cure first.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: redhatlinux
I always get back to the same question. 'Why, with all the $$$'s AMD spends on research have the never recommended AS, in any of its flavors. (gotta say I havn't checked lately, I assume that this is still true).

Because those type of thermal compounds have a tendency to "pump out" after many many hot-cold cycles. That's a problem for a person who keeps a computer for 5 years. For most people here it's not a problem because we're always messing with it, changing heatsinks, changing processors... all which require you to reapply it.