Which arctic silver do I buy?

[dawp]

I wonder how this stuff does?

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/sh35thpadamd.html

it's cheap enough so maybe next time I order something from Sidewinder I'll try it if I remember. it does look interesting.

 

[86waterpumper]

Exactly! My mx2 is a super dry and thick type compound. It is not spreadable at all, it is nearly rubbery, and will break apart into sections. It is every bit as dry as a pre-applied type paste. With a setup like the hyper 212, I find it impossible to just dab on some and let the heatsink do the work. With the exposed heatpipes that it has and a base that is not slick it just does not work and I've tried it both ways. Whatever tube of stock paste came with the hyper 212 worked much better

 

[Rvenger]

I wonder how this stuff does?

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/sh35thpadamd.html

it's cheap enough so maybe next time I order something from Sidewinder I'll try it if I remember. it does look interesting.

I am willing to bet thats the same exact stuff AMD puts on their stock heatsinks.

 

[drizek]

Ya, that metal strip thing isn't very good. I replaced them on my laptop with AS5.

 

[Termie]

I think the OP really asked the wrong question - he shouldn't buy any Arctic Silver products.

We've all used AS5 - that doesn't mean it's particularly effective. Take a look at this article: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/3383/arctic_cooling_mx_4_thermal_compound/index4.html. You'll see that the MX series is much more effective. The review also discusses how easy they are to apply. The MX-2 gets high marks here - I assume people saying it was like caulk had old batches (but that suggests it doesn't have good shelf life).

More proof that AS5 stinks: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup-1_12.html#sect0

 

[Zap]

I have no idea which to pick. Building a rig with an i5 2500k 3.3ghz processor

Using a thermal paste, applying it properly and mounting the heatsink properly is all more important that which thermal paste you use.

Ive always used AS5, no issues. Dont get the adhesive! It will glue your crap together, only use this if you have an application that needs something glued together!

adhesive = glue

Whowouldathunk?!

 

[AkumaX]

Sorry if I'm digressing, but is there anything wrong with just using the default thermal paste that the cooler came with? (Hyper 212+)

I used the CM paste, then switched to AS5. Got a 5-10°C drop in temps! It could most likely be from re-applying t-paste correctly, but why not...

 

[BonzaiDuck]

More proof that AS5 stinks: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup-1_12.html#sect0

Well, that's a long list of compared products. But they missed a couple options that would make it more interesting . . . .

I'm not going to "throw in" on this topic anymore, until I've had a chance to assess the "Gallium" and "metal pad" products. And that's going to be as much as a month or two from now. Maybe . . . longer . . .