OCUK Official IC Diamond/ Perihelion Test Results

The Asgard · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:30

Hardware: I7 920 DO [email protected], XSPC RS360 Rad+Vipers, EK Supreme HF CU, EK 5870 FC Block, D4 Vario on Min, 1/22 pipe, 800D.

All tests with full fans also made sure temps started around 30-33'c

LinX Load Testing 15K Problem size, 20 runs ( 18 Mins )

Tested 4 TIMS Noctua NT H1, MX4, Perihelion, IC24

Noctua NT H1 - FAIL
LinX produced GFLOP ranges from 35 - 48. This I believe was caused by Thermal Throttling. Everything appeared to be OK after removing the block and I had been using the system for about 4 months.

Perihelion
Peak Load - After 24 Hours
67,66,64,63
Peak Load - After 48 Hours
70,69,67,67
Strange, temps seem to get worse. After removing the block the top of the chip wasn't covered but still more than 80% covered. This was the first time I used the Pea method so I suspect insufficient compound.

MX4
Peak Load - After 24 Hours
63,59,61,54
Peak Load - After 48 Hours
62,58,59,53
Really like MX4, very easy to spread. Good even spread after removing the block.

IC24
Peak Load - After 24 Hours
62,58,60,54
Peak Load - After 48 Hours
61,57,59,53

In my system IC24 performs very similar to MX4 with IC24 having a slight edge.

IC Diamond · 7 Mar 2011 at 18:49

Perihelion should test near ICD

Perihelion is slightly less forgiving than ICD on the pressure side

LiamJ · 8 Mar 2011 at 11:22

Okay, finally got mine done this morning.

CPU: AMD Phenom II x2 550 @ 3.6GHz, 1.4V in BIOS.
HSF: Using stock AMD cooler.

Used 10 passes of Linx to get load temperatures, and left the CPU to idle for at least half an hour to get idle temps.

Pre-applied thermal paste:
Idle: 43c
Load: 66c

I then cleaned the HSF with toilet paper to remove most of the loose paste, then some cotton pads and nail varnish remover to clean both surfaces properly. A 5mm blob was applied to the middle of the CPU, the cooler was pushed down for 15 seconds or so to make sure it has spread, then it was latched into place.

IC Diamond:
Idle: 37c
Load: 60c

Overall, a very good improvement, and a very large thank you to IC for the free samples!

IC Diamond · 10 Mar 2011 at 05:04

Results Posted on the Giveaway thread Page 8

NylonThighs
Thug

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 39

Love my IC Diamond, bought this for my i5 2500k and using it with my Xigmatech Dark Knight which doesn't get that good of a review. I went from idle temps of 35c (mx3) to 31c and max temps of 74c to 66c on an hour run on intelburntest. Impressive stuff, I used a pea sized blob and tested the day after fitting cooler. My mx3 was the same, tested day after fitting.

Edit: Should maybe mention that is with the i5 @ 4.6ghz not stock speed.
Last edited by NylonThighs; 9th Mar 2011 at 13:30.

ViRuS2k
Wise Guy

ViRuS2k's Avatar

Joined: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,954

4.2Ghz @1.36v
Noctua D14

-----------------------------

Very nice stuff,

41c idle / 75c load

MX4

42c idle / 78c load

slight differences but good diffrences none the less.

bash25
Thug

Joined: Jun 2009
Location: London
Posts: 59

My Results
Hi All,

Here are my results, using the following components;

Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ)
Gigabyte EX58-UD5 Intel X58 Motherboard (Bios F12)
Patriot Viper 6GB DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz DDR3 Bundle
Coolmaster Cosmos RC1000 case - all fans replaced with Scythe Kaze-Jyun (2000 rpm)
Corsair H50
Asus 6870
OCZ Vertex 2E 60GB
500GB Western Digital Hard Drive
1TB Samsung F1 Hard Drive

First Test using AS5 on default settings;

Average Room Temp of 23.6C
CPU Temps (After 5 minutes idle) -> 31C - 34C
Prime 95 (After 1 hour of blend test) -> 66C - 72C

Second Test using AS5 on overclocked settings;

@ 3.8GHz, Vcore @ 1.225v, QPI/VTT @ 1.335v, IOH Core @ 1.240v and DRAM Voltage @ 1.660v

Average Room Temp of 23.2C
CPU Temps (After 5 minutes idle) -> 41C - 44C
Prime 95 (After 1 hour of blend test) -> 77C - 84C

Here are my results, using IC Diamond, after letting it set for about two hours to cure.

First Test using IC Diamondon default settings;

Average Room Temp of 22.6C
CPU Temps (After 5 minutes idle) -> 30C - 33C
Prime 95 (After 1 hour of blend test) -> 59C - 64C

Second Test using IC Diamond on overclocked settings;

@ 3.8GHz, Vcore @ 1.225v, QPI/VTT @ 1.335v, IOH Core @ 1.240v and DRAM Voltage @ 1.660v

Average Room Temp of 21.8C
CPU Temps (After 5 minutes idle) -> 36C - 39C
Prime 95 (After 1 hour of blend test) -> 68C - 76C

Bashy.

IC Diamond · 10 Mar 2011 at 19:34

Application Notes -Amount of Applied Compound

There is always some debate on amount of applied compound to use, our approach is based on a best to worst case scenario with a one size fits all so the user can experience best odds of a successful mount out of the gate without having to redo his mount.

Say that Intel has a spec of Flat and parallel // to .002. - At the extreme end you get something like the 2 images of the candidate below, to fill that gap/volume you need .05 ml volume of compound for a 30mmk X30mm area about the size of a grain of rice.

Our difference with the rice method comes from the other side of the equation The heat sink base, while many are good some can be off as much as the IHS and to cover the contingency of irregular contour on both sink & IHS and as few people lap to correct the problem (5%?)and fewer lap to perfection we add another .05 ml for a total of 0.1ml.

Another factor associated with irregular contours is another mil or two layer of compound is added on the high spots depending on the pressure applied. To fill that gap we add another .05 ml for a total recommended amount of 1.5 ml which approx. equals our 5-5.5mm size bead on center. or 3-4 applications with a 7 carat/0.5ml tube

Thermal compound is a volume application to fill gaps, not one of weight, liquid spread-ability etc. and our view that whatever the compound you still need the equivalent volume to close that gap.

j.col · 11 Mar 2011 at 16:13

i just retested mine again. the IC-Diamond has been cured for about 7 days now.

before with MX-4
my first run on original MX-4
idle- 28, 28, 26, 29
load- 74-74-73-73 (max temps)
ibt test. free ram was 2450 so used 2400mb custom ram in test (36 gflops)

newest test with IC-Diamond 24
idle 23-24-20-25
load 72-72-72-72
ibt test. with 38 gflops.

so a -2 degrees drop on average.
good job IC Diamond. thanks again for the TIM

PhillyDee · 11 Mar 2011 at 17:41

Going to do this weekend. Under my H50.

C64 · 11 Mar 2011 at 18:56

Free ram isn't always correct in my experience sometimes I run it with free ram amount and get under 40gflops when it should be 45.

bainbridge · 13 Mar 2011 at 08:31

Here's the results for Diamond 2 weeks into testing, as per previous tests everything has been kept the same:

* Pea-sized blob

* 70lbs pressure

* Ambient temerature 21c

* Idling temps taking 1hr after bootup

* Loads temps taken after 1hr on full load

* 1 weeks use = approx 14hrs use & 7 on/off cycles

I have 2 weeks worth of data left for MX-2 & AS5 under these conditions.

WingZero30 · 13 Mar 2011 at 08:49

Bainbridge when did you take the results for AS5 and MX-2?

If I am correct, you are testing IC Diamond at weekly interval and then comparing the results with AS5 and MX-2 which also underwent same testing procedure but which were done long ago.

bainbridge · 13 Mar 2011 at 12:24

WingZero30 said:
Bainbridge when did you take the results for AS5 and MX-2?

MX-2: 14/11/10 - 12/12/10

AS5: 19/12/10 - 16/01/11

IC Diamond: 27/02/11 - ongoing

WingZero30 said:
If I am correct, you are testing IC Diamond at weekly interval and then comparing the results with AS5 and MX-2 which also underwent same testing procedure but which were done long ago.

Depends what your definition of long ago is Wingzero. I have data for a longer period with AS5 & but for an accurate comparison have included the first 4 weeks at weekly intervals. If I knew I was going to be comparing 3 TIM's back in November testing would have run consecutively but this would still have taken 3 months to complete.

WingZero30 · 13 Mar 2011 at 14:59

WingZero30 said:
Guys if you are going to use IBT/Linx for testing the compounds, make sure your GFlops values are more or less same in all the tests otherwise your results will be invalid.

For example

MX-3 or any other thermal compound: 33-35GFlops in IBT

IC Diamond: 40-45GFlops in IBT

What will happen is that your temps will be higher in the case of IC Diamond as you are getting higher GFlops values even if IC Diamond is better than MX-3.
So you need to get GFlops values in a similar range for both compounds. So it should be e.g:

MX-3 or any other thermal compound: 43-45GFlops in IBT

IC Diamond: 43-45GFlops in IBT

Consistent/same GFlops values across all tests

.

The following aren't the results for this thread but rather to complement what I said earlier about running Intel Burn Test with consistent GFlops values. These tests were done on the same TIM so isn't part of the results which I will be posting.

There is a difference of atleast 8C between the two tests while running the tests.

IC Diamond · 13 Mar 2011 at 16:21

bainbridge said:
Here's the results for Diamond 2 weeks into testing, as per previous tests everything has been kept the same:

* Pea-sized blob

* 70lbs pressure

* Ambient temerature 21c

* Idling temps taking 1hr after bootup

* Loads temps taken after 1hr on full load

* 1 weeks use = approx 14hrs use & 7 on/off cycles

I have 2 weeks worth of data left for MX-2 & AS5 under these conditions.

Curing

I mostly test at pressures from 55lbs to 90 psi as the compounds stabilizes or reaches the near final bond line thickness faster and without exception for any compound after a few hours I am within 95% of what the final thermal performance will be within a degree or so even if I run the test for a month.

That's not to say multi degree improvements do not happen enough people report it so some basis for it probably exists and my speculation on it is that extended cure times could relate to to lighter pressures under 50 PSI. In any event it this has not been my experience.

Link

ZedPowered · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:04

CPU- Intel Core i5 760 @ Stock
Old thermal paste MX 2
EK Supreme HF Nickel/Plexi water cooling

Idle temps with MX 2
34
30
33
27

Load with MX 2
44
39
41
37

Idle with IC Diamond
35
31
34
28

Load with IC Diamond
45
42
44
40

not too sure what to make of the results really, will try and test it at a later date and retension the water block

Stop It Rawr · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:46

Right, after the weirdest journey ever (See the giveaway thread for more), I have some results for this thread.

I'll post the results from my old TIM first, the Tuniq TX-2 first and in my 2nd post will be the results from my ICD 24carat. Of course the results are initial results only. I installed the TIM this morning so next week will see a further set of tests to see what a week of "bedding in" will do.

Anyway, firstly, some details on my system and the methodology used:

CPU: Intel i5 2500K
Motherboard: Asrock P67 Extreme4
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz (4GB of OCZ 4GB of Corsair XMS3)
Case: XClio A380 Plus36
HSF: Zalman CNPS9500A

The testing was conducted with OCCT, using the Speedfan (A beta version from late February) program for data monitoring. Test 1 was at 4.4Ghz, test 2 was 4.6Ghz. Alas my tests at stock had to be disregarded as I accidentally turned off Speedfan half-way through one of the tests, killing the results.

Anyway, here's what you're here for, lovely graphs!

Test 1: 4.4Ghz, Tuniq TX-2

Test 2: 4.6Ghz, Tuniq TX2

Stop It Rawr · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:54

And here will be the results for the ICD 24Carat TIM.

Test 1: 4.4Ghz Innovation Cooling IC Diamond

Test 2: 4.6Ghz Innovation Cooling IC Diamond

Well, test 1 shown a peak temperature change of only 1 degree, but the temps were much more stable, and the difference overall was possibly closer to 2 degrees on average. Test 2 shown a similar result, while the peaks were similar, the average of the ICD was lower and it took a lot longer to reach a sustained peak.

This of course is a comparison between a well bedded in TIM and one that was only applied this morning, so next week should show even bigger temperature reductions. All in all, this ICD TIM compares well, especially considering that the Tuniq TX-2 is a very good TIM in the first place.

Jokester · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:57

How do you get OCCT to import the temp data from the latest Speedfan beta?

Edit: Ah I think I've found it in the options

Stop It Rawr · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:19

Jokester said:
How do you get OCCT to import the temp data from the latest Speedfan beta?

Edit: Ah I think I've found it in the options

Well, I'm guessing you have found it, but if anyone else wants to use OCCT and Speedfan, do the following:

Launch OCCT then go into options, click the little gears button, then change the Software tab to Speedfan V4.xx then change each value for Cores/voltages etc manually. It takes a little time but then saves a heck of a lot of time after as it produces the graphs for you, so it gives 100% accurate information rather than me just saying "Well, it peaked at temp x after an hour test".

WingZero30 · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:32

@ IC Diamond

I have a question?

Say hypothetically I get the following results:

TIM1
Ambient temp: 21.5C

Load temps:

65C
64C
68C
63C

TIM2
Ambient temp: 18C

Load temps:

61C
63C
64C
64C

If we take the ambient temp of TIM1 as a baseline, would I need to add a correction factor of 21.5-18 = + 3.5C to TIM2 temps assuming if TIM2 was tested during same ambient temp of 21.5C the temps would have been 3.5C higher. So it should be:

TIM2

Load temps
61C + 3.5C = 64.5C
63C + 3.5C = 66.5C
64C + 3.5C = 67.5C
64C + 3.5C = 67.5C

or vice versa where TIM1 temps are reduced by 3.5C if we take ambient temp of TIM2 to be a baseline.

In your opening post you seems to have done similar thing to some of the results where ambient temps were different.

Can you clarify this issue for me please? I understand that ambient temps do affect cpu overall temps

. Would I need to do similar correction with idle temps?

IC Diamond · 13 Mar 2011 at 22:07

I average all cores then subtract ambient from load temp on both tests so you are left with the temperature rise with the ambient factored out. Then subtract the difference in temps.

so

TIM 1 AVG - ambient = 65C - 21.5 = 43.5C

TIM 2 AVG - ambient = 63C-18 = 45C

so between test 1 and 2 you have a difference of 1.5 C

At the ambient micro temp level a lot of macro stuff is happening that is not picked up as temperature is always in a state of flux.

I've watched thermocouples all day long for years, with HVAC you easily see a swing of 5c in hour and in a stable environment with no HVAC 2-3 C is the order of the day in a 10 min period. Just stand next to an open bench test and and body heat and breathing you can raise the ambient a couple of degrees, I take my readings from a distance of four or 5 feet just so I do not affect the ambient reading.

For an accurate reading on a fan heat sink you would take several at the inlet of the fan and average them as localized component heat can vary 5C side to side. floor to ceiling can be 5- 10C different. In the summer morning temps could be 20C and late afternoon 35 C.

When users report same number ambient for multiple tests or any single number I assume that they are probably 2-3 C+/- to the best of their ability, so on any single test the margin of error can exceed the tested result along with contact area %, pressure applied, different thermal/pressure paste curves etc. which are a lot of uncontrolled variables which is one reason not to get excited at any solo result. Give me +30 users and I have a number that's been more or less the same from the beginning to 700 tests within a few 10th's of a degree

Some will be high and some will be low but they average out in the long run.