Hey guys. I'm looking into cleaning two of my systems and re-mounting my coolers. I'm wondering which thermal compound is best to use on my video cards and CPUs? I use to use Artic Silver but haven't used anything other than that. I'm wondering if Artic Silver is still good or if something better exists, every degree counts right.
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Which Thermal Compound?
- Thread starter N1GHTRA1N
- Start date
boushidosan
Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2010
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- 551
You should definitely try using the Indigo Xtreme for your i7-920!
Its a metal alloy interface material that goes on your cpu instead of a paste with fancy crystals.
Click the instructions for the product link
Its a metal alloy interface material that goes on your cpu instead of a paste with fancy crystals.
Click the instructions for the product link
ProlimaTech PK-1 Thermal Compound for TIM if you don't want to hassle with Arctic Silver 5's 200 hour burn in period. You can get thermal pads for the RAM and Vregs here, http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=580.
I've had no personal experience with Indigo Xtreme but I've read some really good things about its performance, note that it's made solely for CPUs and cannot be used for your GPU chip
I've had no personal experience with Indigo Xtreme but I've read some really good things about its performance, note that it's made solely for CPUs and cannot be used for your GPU chip
that simply isn't necessary. the top standard pastes work just as well as anything. the margin of error in thermal interface reviews is higher than the measured differences between the top products. xbit just reviewed a zillion products, and there are many good ones. http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup-1_13.html
You should be able to find either Thermaltake TG-1 or Thermalright Chill Factor III in any good store. There are other good ones that cost less (icetherm), but may be difficult to find.
I'm in favor of avoiding any of the metal type compounds like indigo extreme. They do work well, but not that much better than the top of the line paste products, and have a much higher risk factor when working on video cards. The margin of difference between the top pastes is around 1% or so, and this is usually within the margin of error when testing. As others have said it's proper application that makes the most difference.
Spare-Flair
Supreme [H]ardness
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- Apr 4, 2003
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- 7,471
IC Diamond compound is supposed to be one of the best but it also can scratch up your cores/heatspreaders IIRC.