Arctic MX-2 v MX-3?

fluffmyster · 12 Oct 2009 at 19:45

Getting a new CPU and wanting to do the cooling right this time so I'm getting a backplate, new fans and thermal paste. I always planned to get mx-2 but I was wondering - is mx-3 really that much better? Is it worth paying about 50% extra?

JonJ678 · 12 Oct 2009 at 19:52

Couple of degrees in it I believe, though the mx-3 is harder to apply as it is more viscous. What's the new cpu, and do you expect to be temperature limited?

setter · 12 Oct 2009 at 19:55

Either would be grand, the price for mx3 is very good when compared to say as5, you get far more in a tube, should last a good while.

Xelene · 12 Oct 2009 at 19:57

50% extra is only a couple of quid and most people seem to rave about it. I thought it was easy as pie to apply, it's pretty hard to be scientific about this but it's been good for me so far, lower temps currently than the last few blobs of AS5 (only a couple of degrees mind).

setter · 12 Oct 2009 at 20:02

I used mx3 for the first time on my i7 cpu, previously i used as ceramique and as5, as5 did seem to spread a bit easier but the conduction issue and curing time put me off it, decided to give mx3 a try out, system currently idles at 31-27-31-27, cant compare it to as5 or any other as ive never used them on this current cpu.

psychas · 12 Oct 2009 at 20:03

i did not even knew there's mx-3 out , but i preferred mx-2 then artic silver 5

Xelene · 12 Oct 2009 at 20:10

setter said:
I used mx3 for the first time on my i7 cpu, previously i used as ceramique and as5, as5 did seem to spread a bit easier but the conduction issue and curing time put me off it, decided to give mx3 a try out, system currently idles at 31-27-31-27, cant compare it to as5 or any other as ive never used them on this current cpu.

Damn, how the hell do you get it to idle that low? Mines 44/40/44/40. Although ambient here is 27-28.

setter · 12 Oct 2009 at 20:13

Currently at stock mate, cooling is a TRUE black and a pair of 400-1200 rpm fans, id say once i start to clock it the temps will go up a bit.

Xelene · 12 Oct 2009 at 20:21

setter said:
Currently at stock mate, cooling is a TRUE black and a pair of 400-1200 rpm fans, id say once i start to clock it the temps will go up a bit.

Ahh

phew. Don't think mines ever been that low, but the private block I live in is centrally heated and the grannies whinge if it gets cold so radiators are always on full blast

(and windows usually open full in January)

Aegis · 12 Oct 2009 at 20:54

I switched to MX-3 from AS5 and it knocked a coupla degrees off my temps - got an i7 965 at stock (3.2 GHz) and idle temps of 34/27/33/26.

Getting my temps down has been a real mission as I'm using an old (classic

) case but the combination of MX-3, a Corsair H50 and a 5870 (instead of my old 4870x2) seems to have done the job...

kitfit1 · 12 Oct 2009 at 22:38

Niether would be my answer. Arctic Ceramique is still just about as good as it gets, with the added bonus that it dosn't break down over long periods of time.

Nick1881 · 12 Oct 2009 at 22:42

kitfit1 said:
Niether would be my answer. Arctic Ceramique is still just about as good as it gets, with the added bonus that it dosn't break down over long periods of time.

Neither did MX-2 as far as I'm aware.

I bought some liquid metal ages ago, still not even tried it.

JonJ678 · 12 Oct 2009 at 23:47

I've just placed an order for liquid metal and ceramique

I think it'll be with me tomorrow.

Helios1234 · 13 Oct 2009 at 01:54

http://www.vortez.co.uk/contenttell...quid_metal_pro_thermal_compound_review,6.html

JonJ678 · 13 Oct 2009 at 02:19

"The Coollaboratory Liquid Metal Pro really flexes its muscles at 4ghz, gaining a 4 degrees afvantage over the Arctic MX-3, which we already described as being in a league of its own!"

Doesn't make it recommended though, mx-3 is a much saner idea.