Thermal Compound

T

TekRok

2[H]4U
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
2,279
hey guys which would you pick. i have been reading that MX-2 has been beating AC5 in almost every test. I just built an i7 rig and want to get the best for the money. In my last AMD rig i used the zalman compound that comes in a little bottle with a brush, that worked well. Past experience with AC5 is the curing time is not fun and the fact it takes a while to get the cooler to sit right and have the paste distribute correctly.

MX2 seems like the top dog. no curing time, non metallic doesnt conduct electricity and last 8 years so they say. Ac5 i believe has to be re-applied every year or twice a year
 
A Google search would give you several pages where several TIMs (thermal interface material, another name for thermal compound) have been compared. The long story short is that you should get some thermal compound that requires no cooling time. No electrical conductivity is a bonus, though I haven't heard of anyone having any problems with the TIMs that are currently in the market.

AC5? Do you mean AS5, or Arctic Silver 5? I've never heard of a requirement of replacing your thermal compound after a certain time period, and I don't believe that it's necessary. But in addition to the Arctic Cooling MX-2, some of the more available no-curing-time-need TIMs are Tuniq TX-2 and OCZ Freeze.
 
Mx-2 would be one of those no curing time compounds

Yes i meant AS5 not AC.
 
I think it's been proven over an over that unless you're going for world record overclocks, there are, at best, a degree or maybe two difference between all the compounds out there. As long as you use quality stuff, it almost doesn't matter. I used AS Ceramique for my new quad core (and previous) builds and have been very happy with it.

One of the main things is to start with clean, oil free surfaces. I scored some alcohol wipes from the local pharmacy that are perfect for cleaning the CPU and HSF before assembly. Dry them off good with canned air and you're ready for a good working interface....:cool:
 
BlindedByScience said:
I think it's been proven over an over that unless you're going for world record overclocks, there are, at best, a degree or maybe two difference between all the compounds out there. As long as you use quality stuff, it almost doesn't matter. I used AS Ceramique for my new quad core (and previous) builds and have been very happy with it.

One of the main things is to start with clean, oil free surfaces. I scored some alcohol wipes from the local pharmacy that are perfect for cleaning the CPU and HSF before assembly. Dry them off good with canned air and you're ready for a good working interface....:cool:
Click to expand...

QFT. I use whatever is handy. I have several tubes of AS5 and MX-2. If its for a client, I'll use the supplied TIM of the HSF (many of which, on the good/high end coolers, are just as good as aftermarket stuff).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top