Thermal Compound

[Wing-Man]

What's the best stuff to put under a water block and just forget about for a long time
i have some Arctic MX-4, but for the cost of thermal paste is there is somthing more trust worth?

CPU is only a i5 13500 so not massive heat output but i don't plan on stripping the system for a long time.
unless i can find a cheap 13600/13700 before i make the change to water haha

 

[D-Ranged]

Last time I built a watercooled machine, I used kryonaught extreme

 

[Armageus]

MX-4 is absolutely fine - it doesn't degrade quickly, so won't need replacing for a long time (we use it in servers at work with no issues for this reason)

 

[Gray2233]

What's the best stuff to put under a water block and just forget about for a long time
i have some Arctic MX-4, but for the cost of thermal paste is there is somthing more trust worth?

CPU is only a i5 13500 so not massive heat output but i don't plan on stripping the system for a long time.
unless i can find a cheap 13600/13700 before i make the change to water haha

MX-4 is fine, you'll see no real appreciable gains with more expensive paste, especially not on that CPU.

 

[Wing-Man]

we use it in servers at work with no issues for this reason

thats the sort of info i needed, thank you

 

[Awahwah]

Used MX-4 and kryonaught in the past, been fine.

 

[Glanza]

MX6 is my go to these days

 

[qbazdz]

I also use MX-4 as a go to default, for sure avoid Arctic Silver 5 as it dries out over longer time, although I had slightly better performance from it (2-3C).

 

[Wing-Man]

I will just stick with the MX 4 I have just wanted to check

 

[dani555]

can i get away with not adding paste to my cpu and cooler

 

[Wing-Man]

can i get away with not adding paste to my cpu and cooler

Nope, unless there is already pre approved paste on the cooler

 

[dani555]

ok thank you i will make sure my new pc comes with paste

 

[freddie64]

can i get away with not adding paste to my cpu and cooler

Nope, unless there is already pre applied paste on the cooler

ok thank you i will make sure my new pc comes with paste

If the cooler has the paste pre-applied it is best to have a tube incase you need to reseat the cooler at any point

 

[random_matt]

You only really have to worry about thermal paste with direct die. Pump out is a very real thing.

 

[embalse]

I usually use MX-4, but honestly, any brand will do the job.
If I've got another brand to hand I'll use it and it works just the same.

.

 

[AgedIdiot]

Another MX6 user here - moved from MX4 to it a few months ago. (Went from Watercooling loop to Noctua NH-D15 chromax cooler and changed paste at same time) No complaints as yet .

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[mattyfez]

The correct answer is to use whatever paste you already have laying around.

No need to buy more until you run out.

 

[Jon20]

The correct answer is to use whatever paste you already have laying around.

No need to buy more until you run out.

This to be honest. I’ve always found very little difference between the well known brands. Usually just use MX-4 and now MX-6.

 

[pre]

For an old system what others have suggested MX4. For a new system/daily driver Honeywell ptm 7950 thermal pads.

 

[Mr Oxide]

Using Noctua NT-H2 and so far no issues.