Best nonconductive grease?

[Sojuuk]

as the title says. what is the best non-conductive thermal grease?

haven't really bothered with expensive kinds since P4 days but I am building a SFF system and I need to do it absolutely right. PLEASE help.

also I did search the forums and turned up little info. coulda sworn [H] did a review of the available compounds but now I can't find it

 

[silent-circuit]

Arctic Silver MX2, Shin Etsu X23.

It's normally just called "thermal paste" -- your throwing "non conductive grease" in there made me think you were setting up a phase system, and I was about to come in here and recommend Dow Corning 12, which is a thermal insulator! Wouldn't have done you a bit of good.

 

[Brahmzy]

MX-2

 

[Deleted member 184142]

It's normally just called "thermal paste"

You can also try searching for TIM (thermal interface material). And with either you will find more than enough reading, however most good quality TIM's will state in the specs whether or not they are conductive, and so is straight forward to find out. However you will find people all across the board on what the "best" is.

I myself use Coollaboratory Liquid PRO and found it to have a 3C drop on a already lapped HSF and IHS. But being that it is a "liquid metal" it is without a doubt conductive.

 

[Asian PingPong]

OCZ Freeze will give you the best performance. Although I haven't used MX-2, from what I've read, OCZ freeze is a bit harder to apply, but the performance gain is worth it. Both are non conductive.

 

[Outamyhead]

Arctic Ceramique is also non conductive, and doesn't need to go off to take effect on the temps.

I believe that the MX-2 and Arctic Ceramique were in the top 3 or 4 thermal compounds to use.

 

[echn111]

There is a reasonable test on 16 different TIMs here: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup_10.html

 

[Technophobe]

Another TIM comparison review:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=62

The majority of TIMs would be electrically non-conductive. Even the well known Arctic Silver 5 (where you would assume it is electrically conductive) states that is isn't (only slightly capacitive). Just don't spread anything on so thick that it oozes out and onto pins, tracks or sockets and you should be fine.

 

[Suprfire]

OCZ Freeezzzeeeee

 

[THRESHIN]

TOOTHPASTE!

http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm

 

[echn111]

TOOTHPASTE!

http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm

I think this chap's (dan) emphasis is on trying (but not really succeeding) to be clever and witty, rather than systematic and thorough. Australian humour was always a bit strange - nothing wrong with it though, just takes a while to get used to it.

 

[THRESHIN]

thanks for the update captain obvious

 

[xxEIEIOxx]

OCZ Freeze will give you the best performance. Although I haven't used MX-2, from what I've read, OCZ freeze is a bit harder to apply, but the performance gain is worth it. Both are non conductive.

Yep, the freeze is good stuff. It is a little hard to work with, but it's worth the effort.

 

[echn111]

thanks for the update captain obvious

Really? You think it's obvious that Australian humor is a bit weird? Well ok, not disagreeing with you.

 

[Markistehnamezor]

IC Diamond paste, 3 degree celcius drop from AS5.

 

[Triage]

I've used Shin Etsu Microsi, IC-7, MX-2 AS5 and the tuniq paste (not sure of the model) so far I've had the best results with IC7 and the MX2. If your dealing with lapped surfaces or mirror surfaces the IC-7 may scratch it up a little. MX2 is a bit easier to apply and offers +-1C temps. Both are non conductive.