Been years since I've used Thermal Paste - what's hot or not nowadays?

Spec-Chum

Spec-Chum

Spec-Chum

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My last 3 coolers have had thermal pads pre-applied, so I've just used that - been what must be 6 years since I've used thermal paste.

Is MX-4 still decent? Hearing about that Grizzly stuff but is it kinda hard to apply? Not too fussed about the absolute best, just decent stuff.

Also, is arcticlean still the go to cleaner? Is it really actually needed? I seem to remember I just used kitchen towel and elbow grease before lol
 
If you don't have an aluminium cooler then "liquid metal" aka galinstan is amazing stuff.

It's literally gallium metal mixed with a few other metals and the whole lot is liquid at room temperature. Conducts heat ridiculously better than any paste.

Like I said no aluminium, it destroys it and also it is electrically conductive so don't get too enthusiastic when dispensing it, needs a tiny amount smeared over the heatspreader.

Alcohol wipes are always good to clean off the cpu.
 
Hotwired said:
If you don't have an aluminium cooler then "liquid metal" aka galinstan is amazing stuff.

It's literally gallium metal mixed with a few other metals and the whole lot is liquid at room temperature. Conducts heat ridiculously better than any paste.

Like I said no aluminium, it destroys it and also it is electrically conductive so don't get too enthusiastic when dispensing it, needs a tiny amount smeared over the heatspreader.

Alcohol wipes are always good to clean off the cpu.
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It's a H110i, so copper base.

I don't think I'm too keen "liquid metal" type TIMs to be fair.

Ah, alcohol wipes, good call. I was thinking an Arcticool cleaning set was a bit overkill for what would, hopefully, be 1 usage.
 
Grizzly is meant to be best at the moment. It's not too hard to apply as it comes with a paster/applicator which screws onto the tube itself.
 
Grizzly or Gelid extreme for me. If you find it stiff to apply then just warm the IHS with a hairdryer briefly or place the tube in warm water for a bit before applying.
 
Grizzly and just use the pea method, it's fine you don't have to go down the route of using their spreader etc.
 
Spec-Chum said:
Is MX-4 still decent?
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Yes. I bought a large tube a couple of years ago. I've used it on my own CPU, my old Graphics card and on the PCs that I build. It might be a degree or two behind some pastes (several more behind liquid metal), but it's reasonably priced and seems to get good reviews.
 
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