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Long-lasting thermal paste?

W

wendellp

n00b
Joined
Dec 14, 2010
Messages
28
For machines that may not be upgraded for 5+ years, need a thermal paste that won't degrade in thermal conductivity. Would prefer non-conductive and no curing needed.

I'm considering these two, but haven't tried them yet:

Arctic Cooling MX-2
Innovative Cooling Seven Carat Diamond

Any better options among the many reviewed here?
 
I don't know. Gelid GC-1 Extreme is an option few bother to mention. I tried it out and it is indeed easy to apply and an amazing thermal paste (high thermal transfer, got lows of 20 degrees without having to wait for it to burn in.)

I'm rocking the IC Diamond 7 but the Gelid GC-1 Extreme should work for your needs.
 
MX-2 will stay goopy/kind of wet, if thats what you mean. It won't get crusty and dry out.
 
IC 7 is nice. I have been rocking my current seal for about 8 months and haven't seen any change in temps.
 
HelioX said:
MX-2...won't get crusty and dry out.
Click to expand...

The issue with drying out is counterintuitive to me. I would expect that the part that evaporates doesn't play much role in heat conduction. So a dried out seal should work just as well. Yet, some people report a temp increase with a dried seal. Wish someone could explain that.
 
Price wise, I think tuniq tx-2 is pretty good, 6.99 with free ship from the egg for 3.5g
 
ive never had a problem with this while using AS5, ceramique, Shin Etsu being used for years at a time. its a one shot deal anyway. you only have to reapply it when you remove the heatsink. if my CPU is running 2 degrees hotter over 3 years due to paste, no one would never notice.

and "by far the best" you mean there is a negligable 1 degree difference (which is probably well within the margin of error of the temp probe they use {they dont say what temp probe was used to measure; onboard / on-die temp probes are usually +/- 2*C } ) which could be explained by any number of other factors.
 
ghost6303 said:
ive never had a problem with this while using AS5, ceramique, Shin Etsu being used for years at a time. its a one shot deal anyway. you only have to reapply it when you remove the heatsink. if my CPU is running 2 degrees hotter over 3 years due to paste, no one would never notice.

and "by far the best" you mean there is a negligable 1 degree difference (which is probably well within the margin of error of the temp probe they use {they dont say what temp probe was used to measure; onboard / on-die temp probes are usually +/- 2*C } ) which could be explained by any number of other factors.
Click to expand...

I reseated my CPU with Indigo and my temps dropped almost 4 degrees. I wouldnt call that negligable. Just my 2 cents.
 
theseeker said:
I reseated my CPU with Indigo and my temps dropped almost 4 degrees. I wouldnt call that negligable. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

While I'm not doubting indigo is a great paste (if not the best), comparing a single mount to a single mount isn't all that accurate. With all the variables associated with a good/bad mount, temps can easily swing wildly between mountings. One of the reasons Skinnee does several mounts for each paste, averaging the temperatures among each.

Its also why I prefer to use MX-2 after all this time....its very very reliable between mountings.
 
wendellp said:
For machines that may not be upgraded for 5+ years, need a thermal paste that won't degrade in thermal conductivity. Would prefer non-conductive and no curing needed.

I'm considering these two, but haven't tried them yet:

Arctic Cooling MX-2
Innovative Cooling Seven Carat Diamond

Any better options among the many reviewed here?
Click to expand...
I put Arctic Silver on my C2D over 4 years ago, set it and forget it kind of thing.

There's probably more advanced stuff out there now, but this stuff was as et it and forget it kind of thing, and hasn't let my CPU down yet.
 
When taking things apart, I have noticed MX-2 looks the same after 8 months or 8 days. I took the heatsink off a system I had built 2 years ago with Artic silver 5 and it was much drier than it was originally. The temps were about 2 degrees higher also even with the heatsink fins cleaned. From my experience MX-2 is a tiny bit better than AS5 and lasts longer.
 
Been using MX-2 for years. Recently pulled the heatsink on my wifes Q6600 which had been on there for almost 2 years. The MX-2 was the same as it was the day I applied it. Wet. It does what I need it to do and does it well for a good price.
 
My comments were geared more toward performance than long lasting. I will say that AS5 appears to degrade more quickly in my experience.
 
theseeker said:
My comments were geared more toward performance than long lasting. I will say that AS5 appears to degrade more quickly in my experience.
Click to expand...

It does dry out after about a year or two of heavy use.
 
Decibel said:
Necessary alternative TIM linkage => http://forums.overclockersclub.com/index.php?showtopic=164465

It's far more important to have a good application of an ok TIM, than it is to have an ok application of a good TIM.

I find it hard to care, TIMs just aren't that exciting. I tend to use ceramique, cheap and ubiquitous.
Click to expand...

Yes and no, but I get your point. A good application of a good TIM will outperform or exceed a good TIM with an OK application.

To your point, and no offense, I used to think TIM's made no difference, but with Indigo and Shin-Estu, I have changed my opinion. A 3 - 4 degree drop in temps is significant in my book and coupled with the best H20 components, its makes a big difference.

Once again, just my 2 cents.
 
theseeker said:
Yes and no, but I get your point. A good application of a good TIM will outperform or exceed a good TIM with an OK application.

To your point, and no offense, I used to think TIM's made no difference, but with Indigo and Shin-Estu, I have changed my opinion. A 3 - 4 degree drop in temps is significant in my book and coupled with the best H20 components, its makes a big difference.

Once again, just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

What's there to take offense at? No need to be so accommodating... :p

IMO 3-4 degrees is barely statistically relevant. The only real question regarding temps, once again, IMO - Is your system stable? If it is, cool. If not, fix it.
 
Decibel said:
What's there to take offense at? No need to be so accommodating... :p

IMO 3-4 degrees is barely statistically relevant. The only real question regarding temps, once again, IMO - Is your system stable? If it is, cool. If not, fix it.
Click to expand...

I have to dissagree, 3-4 degrees is significant, especially if it is just do to TIM.
 
theseeker said:
I reseated my CPU with Indigo and my temps dropped almost 4 degrees. I wouldnt call that negligable. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

almost 4 degrees means 3 degrees. but either way, such a small difference can be explained by a warm pocket of air in the room, your CPU processing a different workload, a butterfly flapping its wings in california, etc.

3 degrees cooler is better than nothing, but you are contributing 100% of the performance gains directly to the thermal paste itself and disregarding the mounting, application, measuring methods and every other detail that can skew the number. that is not a valid assumption.
 
I'd say a 4C change in temps, given equal ambients, is pretty significant.
 
3C, which you origionally claimed (which was then exagerated), would be significant if all other factors were equal.

all other factors were not equal in your testing, so that number is invalid. i cant explain that any clearer, so if you dont understand it- then yes, your scientific analysis proves without a doubt this diamond paste is bar-none, hands down, over the moon, miles ahead of anyone else, the absoloute best paste you can buy period. everyone should go order 8 tubes right now.

theseeker said:
Guess we will have to agree to dissagree.
Click to expand...

if you think any of what i said was incorrect, i invite you to correct me.
 
wendellp said:
The issue with drying out is counterintuitive to me. I would expect that the part that evaporates doesn't play much role in heat conduction. So a dried out seal should work just as well. Yet, some people report a temp increase with a dried seal. Wish someone could explain that.
Click to expand...
I've only seen it when I reseated my ancient P4 Williamette and found the stock Intel white silicon paste had completely dried and flaked up. It appeared that it dried unevenly and thus contracted in sections leaving air gaps between the islands of dry material. This is in an extreme case though as I'm sure even the worst of the TIMs you mentioned and miles beyond what Intel used back then.
 
I've noticed decreased performance with AS5 after it dried out. YMMV
 
ghost6303 said:
3C, which you origionally claimed (which was then exagerated), would be significant if all other factors were equal.

all other factors were not equal in your testing, so that number is invalid. i cant explain that any clearer, so if you dont understand it- then yes, your scientific analysis proves without a doubt this diamond paste is bar-none, hands down, over the moon, miles ahead of anyone else, the absoloute best paste you can buy period. everyone should go order 8 tubes right now.



if you think any of what i said was incorrect, i invite you to correct me.
Click to expand...

I am not into pissing contests and I never tried to say that I was conducting any scientific experiment, rather just relating my personal results. I can tell you that the system in question was running for 24 months before I tried the Indigo.

The only reason that I tried Indigo in the first place is due to the reviews I have read of "real" testers, myself excluded. I decided to try it and I believe it is outstanding and the best, period. Simply my opinion and my results. Your mileage may vary.
 
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