Which Thermal Paste is Best?

SparkiUK · 2 Mar 2012 at 20:49

Title pretty much explains it all, I need to buy some Thermal Paste for my i5 2500k. Not sure which one is best for that processor.

Any recommendations?

Thanks - SparkiUK

Blackwhite · 2 Mar 2012 at 22:43

I'm using Ic Diamond - IMO one of the best thermal paste,

PCplod · 2 Mar 2012 at 22:56

Dont think it makes much difference atall, aslong as you get good paste like MX-4, Thermalright Chillfactor, IC Diamond ect its just about how you apply the paste ond not which one you buy, probably a difference of less than 1 degrees between all the good thermal paste's, any other difference is probably just from the apllication.

SeraphX · 2 Mar 2012 at 22:59

PCplod said:
Dont think it makes much difference atall, aslong as you get good paste like MX-4, Thermalright Chillfactor, IC Diamond ect its just about how you apply the paste ond not which one you buy, probably a difference of less than 1 degrees between all the good thermal paste's, any other difference is probably just from the apllication.

nope not the case.

I use IC Diamond 24 carat, dropped 3 degrees off my load temps if memory serves!, very good paste

PCplod · 2 Mar 2012 at 23:08

What were you using before though? And IC 24c I do expect to be a degree or two better for the fact it costs so much

SeraphX · 2 Mar 2012 at 23:21

PCplod said:
What were you using before though? And IC 24c I do expect to be a degree or two better for the fact it costs so much

pretty sure i was using Arctic cooling MX4? may have been MX5 can't really remember tbh

stulid · 2 Mar 2012 at 23:28

Recent thread here - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18368481&highlight=mx-4+username_stulid

panyan · 2 Mar 2012 at 23:46

andybird123 · 3 Mar 2012 at 09:24

according to Hard OCP it's Shin Etsu G751

Wazz-1 · 3 Mar 2012 at 09:24

SeraphX said:
nope not the case.

I use IC Diamond 24 carat, dropped 3 degrees off my load temps if memory serves!, very good paste

+1 dropped about 8 degrees off my load temps, but was using stock paste on the Antek 920 also swapped out the fans, and case fans, so not all down to the paste, but as I've said before only time I've seen a real noticeable difference when using IC Diamond. Good stuff worth a few quid more IMO
Also using on my GPU, HIS 6950 idle's about 3 degrees cooler.

jkkc313 · 3 Mar 2012 at 09:24

panyan said:
mx4

+1

Philtor · 3 Mar 2012 at 09:44

MX-2 or MX-3 is good paste and great value for money. All I use having experimented with them all.

s7cn · 3 Mar 2012 at 10:24

AS 5. There really isn't any massive differences with different brands. Heck, you can even use butter.

See here.

bainbridge · 3 Mar 2012 at 10:49

AS5 is the best all rounder IMO. Its cheap, easy to apply & a good long term performer at high temps.

ICD knocked about 1.5c off but is more difficult to apply & more expensive.

RooBoonix · 3 Mar 2012 at 11:03

I think either IC Diamond or MX-4 is the best, dunno about the 24carat IC Diamond though, same price I think, but don't know if it is better.

Tekgun · 3 Mar 2012 at 11:17

AS5 just follow the instructions from here.
I tried mx4 after seeing a lot of recommendations, but went back to AS5 because it's better.

iTek · 3 Mar 2012 at 11:25

I use MX4, sadly I don't know why but it's good value at £4 for 4grams.

Rusty0611 · 3 Mar 2012 at 11:49

Krony · 3 Mar 2012 at 12:18

Had pretty much the same results with MX-4, PK-1, IC Diamond and Shin Etsu, maybe a degree or two either way at best, application is more important.

Helios1234 · 3 Mar 2012 at 12:45

Chill factor 3