IC Diamond 24 carat

Lynx · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:03

What's this stuff like? It seems to rated well here and in other places but costs a fair bit more than other pastes. I've already got some AS5 kicking about from previous builds so is it actually worth buying that for 1-2 extra degrees of performance it supposedly gives?

breadturbo · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:17

are you happy with your current temps? if so jsut use the AS5
I wouldn't bother with it if your not going all out.
Also dont use for tec or phase, it flakes off.

Lynx · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:33

I'm ordering for a new build soon, so thought might as well throw some in with the order, if it gets me a few extra degrees knocked off then I'd still get it. I'm just doing air cooling so won't have those problems with phase etc.

What is it like to use? As in its consistency and ease to apply? That's probably only the other deciding factor as I hate reseating heatsinks and re-applying paste. If its crap to work with I might not bother otherwise!

SeraphX · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:45

it's ok to use, but consistency is very very thick, and it gets even thicker when set properly, but it is good performance wise, it dropped a few degrees of my cpu and gpu temps at load and idle when i tested it

pgi947 · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:50

Remember the 9 carat stuff is the same as the 24 carat, just a smaller tube

Scougar · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:54

Its a pain in the butt to apply/spread quite frankly. Definately one to blob down and let the heatsink do the work of spreading it.

Lynx · 10 Oct 2011 at 21:08

pgi947 said:
Remember the 9 carat stuff is the same as the 24 carat, just a smaller tube

Ah didn't notice that before! Will probably just get some and see how it goes, even if it is apparently really thick. Suppose if I get a bit unstuck with it I always have the bit of AS5 I have left to fall back on.

bilston · 10 Oct 2011 at 21:26

Yeah I had trouble with applying it. The GPU was the worst as I had to dip the tube in boiling water to soften it up before spreading. CPU was totally different as I just used the block to spread it out itself.

j.col · 10 Oct 2011 at 21:39

bilston said:
Yeah I had trouble with applying it. The GPU was the worst as I had to dip the tube in boiling water to soften it up before spreading. CPU was totally different as I just used the block to spread it out itself.

i had no trouble applying my IC Diamond 24, i have used it about 4 times now and imo its not that thick.
Now, the IC Perhilion was like concrete, it was really thick and i did not get on with it at all.
the IC-D 24 is very good, but as you already said, its only about 2-3.C better.
if you have some AS5, then stick with that until it runs out.
then its upto you what you go for.
I also have some MX-4 which is really good and also really easy to spread.

MooMoo444 · 12 Oct 2011 at 21:39

I found it better to warm the IC diamond up a bit before applying it, so it goes more soft. Trying to do it cold is just ridiculous.

Amidar · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:09

I tried it but wasn't too keen, it makes a mess of your cpu's ihs & the cooler base.So i wouldn't use it again, sure thats the reason why Skinnee Labs wouldn't use it due to damaging the waterblocks base.

"IC Diamond will only be tested after this testbed is ‘retired.’ Due to its severe polishing effect"

Angerer · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:12

It's been said that it's best to apply a pea sized blob instead of spreading it.

MooMoo444 · 12 Oct 2011 at 22:14

Is it true about it damaging/bleaching the IHS?

Bit concerned about mine but probably too late if it does..

Temps arent even really any better than MX4, maybe 1 degree at best.