Thermal paste

[Merlin5]

Hey guys, I'm going to buy some new TIM to replace my MX-2 which is 7 years old now. I presume it should be binned. On my laptop CPU and GPU, I've used the grain of rice method and let the heatsink spread it but temps are not very good, always in the 50s and 60s celcius range at pretty much idle, which makes me think the MX-2 isn't very effective any more. I also tried spreading a rice grain size with my finger but it's hard to spread and clumps a bit, again making me think that the MX-2 has perhaps lost its consistency and well past its best.

So I'll probably buy MX-4 and hoping OCuK get some back in stock. Also considering Chillfactor 3.

But I'm also interested in thoughts on an old product called Zalman super thermal grease (ZM STG1) which is applied from a nail varnish bottle with a brush. Anyone had experience of it and does anyone here still spread their TIM? I like the idea of using a brush to spread and also wondered how temps might be.

 

[Merlin5]

I spread often yeah.

I would use Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut for really top class performance paste or even better Kryonaut. These pastes you can spread and are the best quality ones available which are non- conductive.

Hi 8 Pack, thanks for the reply. Good to hear that an expert spreads. I keep reading that spreading causes air bubbles and isn't as good as letting the heatsink do it, but if you're doing it, I guess it's fine then.

Those Grizzly pastes are only 1g for the same price as a 4g tube of MX-2 and 4. Am I really going to see a significant difference? What I mean is, I want my temps to be in the 40s rather than the 50s and 60s. Are the Grizzly pastes going to make more than 1 or 2C difference from most other brands?

 

[Merlin5]

Also guys, do you think I should replace these manky looking thermal pads that go over the vram chips and would it make much difference to the temps I'm getting? If so, which ones on OCuK shop would you recommend I buy?

 

[Merlin5]

Thanks guys, almost bought some CF3 as I believe it's pretty much the best, short of liquid metal solutions. But ended up buying some MX-4 using the remainder of a rainforest gift voucher, so cost me all of £2.24. Would have bought from here but out of stock.

Replacing the thermal pads wont bring your measurable temp down unless your measuring the vram temps. However those thermal pads look past it so i would change them.

Which ones here do you recommend?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/air-cooling/cooler-accessories/thermal-pads

I guess I don't need a lot and I reckon the pads are 1 or 2mm thick.