Should I change my thermal paste?

Rob Turbo

Rob Turbo

Rob Turbo

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Joined
28 Aug 2012
Posts
354
Location
Durham
I'm using the thermal paste that came with my 612s, it doesn't say what it is, just says coolermaster thermal paste on the tube. I've just been looking at the thermal paste comparison thread and noticed the coolermaster value paste isn't very good under load but is very good at idle.

I have an i5 3570k @ 4.4ghz, it idles around 26c and under load is high 60's, but to get over 4.4ghz I have to bump up the voltage which sends the temperature soaring.

I know I won't see a huge difference overclocking any further, but it would be nice to get a bit more out of it and keep the temps low, possibly even use it on my hd 7850 while I'm at it!
 
Ivybridge runs hot due to intel using some pathetic thermal paste instead of doing a proper job and using solder to connect the IHS to the die.

your ivy i5 at 4.4 is around about a sandy i5 at 4.6-4.7

I wouldnt bother changing the paste on the 7850, they are not hot running cards anyway and unless the temps are out of control then you wont see any difference
 
I have a similar cooler to you (Coolermaster 212 Evo) and originally used the stock paste. A few months later I bought the Arctic Cooling MX-4 paste and found a 2-3C temp reduction under load.

As above, Ivy's do run a bit hotter and thermal paste on the cooler wont make much of a difference (within reason)
 
In the thermal paste comparison thread there's 17c difference between the best and worst pastes, which is using an i5 3570k, and there's a possibility that mine is the worst, with it being coolermaster and no details on the tube.

It's a bit of a PITA to change the paste though, having to balance the case hanging off the desk so I can put take the cooler off and put it back on, and for 2-3c I don't think I'll bother, if it was >10c I'd go for it though!
 
Rob Turbo said:
In the thermal paste comparison thread there's 17c difference between the best and worst pastes, which is using an i5 3570k, and there's a possibility that mine is the worst, with it being coolermaster and no details on the tube.

It's a bit of a PITA to change the paste though, having to balance the case hanging off the desk so I can put take the cooler off and put it back on, and for 2-3c I don't think I'll bother, if it was >10c I'd go for it though!
Click to expand...

On various forums/web pages they suggest that the stock paste is decent. It's not the best, but it's not bad either.
 
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