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Arctic MX-6 shelf life is just a couple months?

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Any emulsion can and will separate over time or if not mixed well.

Like mayonnaise.

You can always shoot some out and mix it with a stick/spatula and apply.
 
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The user replaced pads may be of the same dimension but the stiffness of the pads create a gap to the Heatsink area and the GPU die
The extremely thick layer of paste is really suspitious, the paste is meant to work as a thinnest layer between two bodies that touch each other. It is not meant as a gap filler, for that there are thermal PADS or even the graphene sheet.

If used as a gap filler, the paste is misused and you really cannot draw any conclusions about a product used in an unintended way.
 
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The extremely thick layer of paste is really suspitious, the paste is meant to work as a thinnest layer between two bodies that touch each other. It is not meant as a gap filler, for that there are thermal PADS or even the graphene sheet.

If used as a gap filler, the paste is misused and you really cannot draw any conclusions about a product used in an unintended way.


Regarding the TF7 photo: why are you applying so extremely thick layer? You applied 20-50X more paste than needed.

What was the reason you are repasting a card under warranty? Are you using an original cooler? Are you sure you are mounting it correctly?
"extremely thick layer"
first of all you can dunk a whole tube of paste on a GPU and nothing happens. and this was a hairthin layer of TF7 that is like clay and had to be spreaded for a minute before it was even all over the die.

and if you want to know how the MX6 looked like:
pretty much like on one of my 6800XTs.

IMG20221202023216.jpg
IMG20221202023230.jpg
 
Last edited:
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"extremely thick layer"
first of all you dunk a whole tube of paste on a anything and nothing happens. and this was a hairthin layer of TF7 that is like clay and had to be spreaded for a minute before it was even all over the die.

and if you want to know how the MX6 looked like:
pretty much like this one of my 6800XTs.

View attachment 346663View attachment 346664
That does not look good...

I do not want to promote one product, but have you tried the graphene sheet by DerBauer?
 
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i plan to buy a sheet of PTM7950 if the TF7 does not work.
 
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The extremely thick layer of paste is really suspitious, the paste is meant to work as a thinnest layer between two bodies that touch each other. It is not meant as a gap filler, for that there are thermal PADS or even the graphene sheet.

If used as a gap filler, the paste is misused and you really cannot draw any conclusions about a product used in an unintended way.
I think you got my statement wrong.
The scenario in which I explained pump-out acceleration DOES NOT imply if paste is used as gap filler.
The scenario I described refers to the unexpected creation of micro-gaps due to the difference in pliability of thermal pad material differences between user applied pads and factory applied pads, therefore accelerating the pump-out effect due to having too much of a gap between the die and heat sink contact.

And if we are being needlessly pendatic, thermal paste IS used as gap filler as there are microscopic imperfections between the die and the heat sink contact area that will prevent effective heat transfer due to not being able to contact the surface area of each other.

GPU dies are not as susceptible to paste overfill issues leading to gaps compared to other direct die TIM applications (such as laptop heat sink mounts) as GPU heat sink assemblies have significantly stronger mounting pressure that can and will push out excess paste (Unless there is a significant curving on the GPU heat sink contact, but that is another issue).

I overfilled Thermalright TFX application my Colorful RTX 3070, and it had no adverse effects on the specified heat sink gap tolerances other than consuming too much thermal paste from the syringe. I can provide temperatures as proof, and this is at an area where 35 degrees Celsius is the standard average daytime ambient temperature.


I see no issue with the amount of paste that the original user posted, not unless the mounting pressure applied by the heat sink mounting screws is highly unequal in nature (which is very, very unlikely).

And to the original poster, Honeywell PTM 7950 (and similar products under other brands) will work well on that application. I used it on my Sapphire Nitro RX 5700 XT last year and it still does not show any signs of significant temperature deviations between core to junction temperatures. I can run a stress test later to show proof, if needed.
 
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Well... 4th tube of MX6, massive pump out within a couple days.
View attachment 346644

Paste turned into soup again.
Repasted with TF7 which i found in the box of an old thermalright cooler from ~2 years ago.
First test with TF7: Temps are 3-4°C Lower than MX6 and the Hotspot delta is so far just ~8°C.
View attachment 346648
I call moose muffins. Show us evidence.

Where are the photos of this happening? If you post this sort of information, you should provide some evidence.
Right?
Regarding the TF7 photo: why are you applying so extremely thick layer? You applied 20-50X more paste than needed.
That photo speaks volumes. I see an application of TIM with no regard for care & attention.

first of all you can dunk a whole tube of paste on a GPU and nothing happens.
Nonsense. Many TIMs are harmless, but not all.
 
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after more than a week of testing, even the old tube of TF7 that was free in the box of a 20 dollar cooler is still perfect after ~ 100 hours of full load. (had to repaste twice with MX6 in the same timeframe)
no more 25°C Hotspot deltas and hitting 90s at stock clocks after a couple days.
IMG20240517192444.jpg


overclocked, 300 RPM lower fan speed than usual.
Cyberpunk with Pathtracing.

Screenshot 2024-05-17 192251.png
 
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