Fascinating.
wizardmaxx said:
Yeah being water based it would dry out like pretty quick.
This is a big issue with both toothpaste and cheap thermal paste, it will dry out and will get worse over time, eventually it will dry solid and act as an insulator, partiularly the toothpaste.
I'm supprised the no paste temps weren't a bit lower.
Perhaps with as5 you could try applying a blob in the middle as arctic silver suggest with spreading evenly, see if there is any difference. You could also expreiment with cleaning methods, does it make a difference if you clean it with really well with alcohol or just rub the thick off with a tissue...