Help me choose Thermal Paste

[Cratzky]

So i have been researching what thermal paste im gonna use in my new build (i5 2500k), i got these to choose from:

Noctua NT-H1
EVGA Frostbite
Arctic Cooling MX-4
Arctic Cooling Arctic MX-2
Arctic Cooling AS5
Arctic Céramique 2
Cooler Master Thermal Grease
Nexus TMP-1000

Note: The cooler i will be using is the Xigmatek Achilles S1284 HDT.

*IMPORTANT* Base looks like this: http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/coolers/achilless1284-zenfz120/18_xt_lga.jpg


Personally, i think the MX-4 is the best choice here due to its low price/performance, but im curious what you other guys have to say

I tried the NT-H1 from Noctua before and it was Ok, but not as good as Thermalright Chillfactor3.

Im gonna try something new this time, and recommendations from the list i provided?

Regards
Cratzky

 

[TC-man]

Well, from the list, the Arctic Silver 5 is the best, but has a long cure time.

According to Hardwaresecrets' thermal compound tests in February this year, the best thermal compound would be Prolimatech's Thermal Compound (but not the PK-1 it seems) or Tuniq TX-3.

 

[PaulieG]

Honestly, don't hurt yourself overthinking this. Literally, most good pastes are all within 1-2c of each other. Hardly worth thinking about really, especially on this platform. I say this after trying about everything available. I simply choose to use NT-H1 and MX-3 because I like the way they spread better than some others.

 

[brandonwh64]

I have always loved MX-2 but I now have no issues with Arctic silver ceramique! I bought two large tubes on Mwave for 4$ shipped

 

[Kreij]

I use Ceramique and have for some time. It's non-conductive and easier to use and since it's more like a paste it doesn't run all over the place if your not so careful.

 

[Law-II]

Hi

Shin etsu x23-7783D as used by LordJummy

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145714

nb: I still use MX4 but would use Shin if I could get hold of it

atb (all the best)

Law-II

 

[Athlon2K15]

Mx-2 ftw

 

[erocker]

Unless you are pushing the CPU to its absolute limits a couple of degrees in temperature isn't going to matter thus, get the best value for your money.

 

[Fatal]

Honestly, don't hurt yourself overthinking this. Literally, most good pastes are all within 1-2c of each other. Hardly worth thinking about really, especially on this platform. I say this after trying about everything available. I simply choose to use NT-H1 and MX-3 because I like the way they spread better than some others.

I totally agree its not that big of a deal if you don't like your temps Cratzky I would upgrade to a better CPU cooler.

 

[eidairaman1]

Akasa Shinetsu Definitely worked on my Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 1 Chipset and video card since those components were running thick thermal pads Thick Gap, Shinetsu lowered temperatures further, I used Antec Silver Thermal Compound on the CPU since the gap wasnt thick )

Hi

Shin etsu x23-7783D as used by LordJummy

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145714

nb: I still use MX4 but would use Shin if I could get hold of it

atb (all the best)

Law-II

 

[suraswami]

Arctic Cooling AS5 - Best performance I have seen
Easy to apply and clean. One drop in the middle of the CPU IHS and put on the HS, 2 small twists, clip and you are done.

Best of all if you want to remove the HS to say replace the CPU or whatever the HS comes out easily, not like few other where it might even pull out the CPU from the socket (especially the pre-applied ones).

 

[Cratzky]

Oh dear lord, so many answers i cant quote u all, that would make the reply post too large so im just gonna say this:

I went with 2x different pastes actually, i went with the Noctua NT-H1 and the Thermalright Chillfactor3 (i really like'd the chillfactor3 the last time i used it, it did actually decrease my temps with a few celcius)

Yes i know it might be a bit overkill , etc, but im a very picky person, i want everything to be close to as perfect as possible with the new build, and yes, the CPU will be overclocked to its maximum (on air first, and later on water)

I will take it as high as it can go first on air, if i feel its not enough, then i will buy some decent pre-sealed water cooling solution like the antec 920.

Again, thanks guys! and feel free to borrow my thread any time if anyone has any similar questions

 

[Rehernmas]

mx-4 would be the one. but arctic silver is also very good!

 

[micropage7]

Honestly, don't hurt yourself overthinking this. Literally, most good pastes are all within 1-2c of each other. Hardly worth thinking about really, especially on this platform. I say this after trying about everything available. I simply choose to use NT-H1 and MX-3 because I like the way they spread better than some others.

mx-4 is nice too
to get better cooling you cant rely on better thermal paste, the cooler, airflow, room temp, load and many more could affect you temp

 

[LagunaX]

I use MX-4 and the Shin-Etsu.

However, this and the Noctua and the Phobya HeGrease are among the highest rated:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9119/thr-59/Prolimatech_PK-1_Nano_Aluminum_Thermal_Compound_-_5_Gram.html

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?268741-Skinnee-Labs-The-TIM-Thread...

 

[Jetster]

Well, from the list, the Arctic Silver 5 is the best, but has a long cure time.

According to Hardwaresecrets' thermal compound tests in February this year, the best thermal compound would be Prolimatech's Thermal Compound (but not the PK-1 it seems) or Tuniq TX-3.

You can shorten curing time by Tinting the Heatsink and Metal cap:

Read about tinting
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appmeth/int/vl/intel_app_method_vertical_line_v1.1.pdf


But the reality is they all preform about the same, application is the important part