Thermal Paste

gr1mey · 12 Apr 2006 at 08:43

Hi, been browsing forums for about 2 months now, and was finally able to register, so hello!!

First off I would just like to ask the REAL advantages of thermal paste/compound, whatever. Currently I am using an Arctic Silencer64 on my Venice 3200+ and the thermal grease I am using is the stuff that came with the heatsink. Now, currently (in my nice warm bedroom) the CPU is idling at around 31-33 degrees this is with the silencer set to run on Cool n Quiet.

My question is, would I see any real temp drop if I cleaned off the freebie muck and bought and applied some arctic silver??

thanks.

drunknmunky · 12 Apr 2006 at 08:56

Probably only a small drop. Maybe a few degrees. The stuff which comes with the AC Freezers is pretty good for free thermal paste.

markysparky · 13 Apr 2006 at 15:52

go for the arctic silver. I used the thermal gunk on the heatsink for a while, however after five months my temps (which were previously 32ºC idle) hit 60ºC idle. I took the heatsink off my processor and the thermal gunk had been cooked onto the processor and had hardened like clay. Applied Arctic Silver and put heatsink and fan back on and voila 29ºC idle. After that I have to recommend buying some thermal paste over using the free stuff.

vanandjuanunited · 13 Apr 2006 at 15:53

drunknmunky said:
Probably only a small drop. Maybe a few degrees. The stuff which comes with the AC Freezers is pretty good for free thermal paste.

Agreed.

squiffy · 13 Apr 2006 at 16:04

Anyone got a picture on the correct amount/thickness?

gr1mey · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:46

thanks for replies...in that case I wont go through the hassle of removing the old gunk and replacing with AS5 until I order a new CPU [in the not too distant future].

cavemanoc · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:49

The Arctic Silver site has some good instructions on it - well worth a read - in the old days it was half an uncooked grain of rice on the core, spread thin/evenly - now with the heatspreaders they are recommending a 'blob' in the middle and allow the pressure of the mountings to do the hard work - still - check out the manufacturer's site and find out how it was designed to be applied!

AmaTeX · 13 Apr 2006 at 19:10

Artic Silver 5 destructions are here.

punisher46 · 13 Apr 2006 at 23:02

I have been given some:

akasa ak-450 and cooler master premium, which is best to gon a 2800xp with stock hs and fan?

Also, my mobo temps are 40 and cpu idles around 50-60.....is this ok?

Room is hot tonight though

squiffy · 14 Apr 2006 at 12:04

What's the solution to removing stock HSF and applying paste? (or upgrading stock HSF) Athlon X2 contact area is metal, and I assume the pad will have filled in the indents of the two surfaces, so would using brasso and a cloth on the HSF contract remove any residue? Not sure about CPU as have to more delicate with it.

vincentvega14 · 14 Apr 2006 at 13:07

If your going to use anything chemical use alcohol type solution. The thermal paste that comes with certain hsf's is ok, better than any pads, but its worth those few extra pounds if overclocking to get some as5/ceramique

cavemanoc · 14 Apr 2006 at 13:16

I swear by akasa TIM-clean, it works and is lemony fresh

It does leave a slight residue which you have to wipe off, but it attacks the dried on stuff better than straight spirit does! (It's the only stuff I've used to get heatsinks/ramsinks that are 'glued' on by the adhesive pastes, quick squirt, leave, and remove - works a charm!)

jesta · 14 Apr 2006 at 13:30

so for a x2 4400+ size of one and a half uncooked grains of short-grain white rice of thermal paste is enough?

if i werent going to overclock does it matter if i use some cheap thermal compound?

sorry for the hijack

hp7909 · 15 Apr 2006 at 06:30

jesta said:
if i werent going to overclock does it matter if i use some cheap thermal compound?

Picked up a tube of AS5 4 cheap from a certain auction site

Had it now for almost 2 years and has not run out - reapply every 6-months on 2 PCs.

& that stuff really works compared to other stuff I've used before. Temp difference at first won't impress you, but once its 'settled' in i think its the best.

cavemanoc · 15 Apr 2006 at 11:40

If you're going to put paste on, you might as well use good stuff - the expense is minimal, and as Jesta said, it lasts forever! Well worth the investment.

jesta · 15 Apr 2006 at 11:50

cavemanoc said:
If you're going to put paste on, you might as well use good stuff - the expense is minimal, and as Jesta said, it lasts forever! Well worth the investment.

yeah i would get the artic silver but on ocuk the delivery makes buying it not worth it..lol. i guess i use those cheap ones i bought for a while until i get the artic silver.

would cheap paste do if i dont overclock?