Best and Worst TIM you've worked with?

[MrGRiMv25]

I went from MX-4 to a tube of MX-2 that was supplied when I bought the Xeon, it keeps the Xeon at the exact same temps as the MX4 did so I'll probably just keep using that for now.

For general usage most pastes (apart from the liquid metals obviously) seem to be within a degree or two of each other these days anyway, unless it's the proper bottom of the barrel stuff haha.

 

[silkstone]

I went from MX-4 to a tube of MX-2 that was supplied when I bought the Xeon, it keeps the Xeon at the exact same temps as the MX4 did so I'll probably just keep using that for now.

For general usage most pastes (apart from the liquid metals obviously) seem to be within a degree or two of each other these days anyway, unless it's the proper bottom of the barrel stuff haha.

I agree. I was asking just as much from an application standpoint as thermals. I was so disappointed with the Kryonaut I got, but glad I only splurged for a 1g tube. Prior to that I've mainly been using MX-4, and some Korean brand stuff for PCs that aren't mine.

I did get the Kryonaut applied properly (I think) but it took 3 applications. First time, felt like too much after I'd managed to spread it, but temps were okay, second time I went back and thinned it out, but temps went up drastically so it was obviouslly too little, the 3rd time I think I got it just right, but damn ... that ate up a good couple of hours of my time! Compared to MX-4 where it's just a matter of placing it on (and spreading if you like) that takes less than a minute, I was wondering why all the reviews say it's so good.

I doubt I'll bother using it again, but I may try it again against the MX-4 when I change case.

 

[jsfitz54]

Worst is Cooler Master THERMAL FUSION. I tried some years ago and that stuff dried out like toothpaste within two weeks.

Best is MX-2, 3, 4 and NT-H1/H2. Just so easy to apply.

PK-3 gets some good temps but it comes out more like icing rather than a wet turd like those mentioned above.

Do you mean this? (I've had good luck with it) : https://www.newegg.com/cooler-maste...aster_thermal_compound-_-35-103-080-_-Product

I apply it thinly with a cut up plastic credit card used as a spreader.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Do you mean this? (I've had good luck with it) : https://www.newegg.com/cooler-master-rg-icfn-200g-b1/p/N82E16835103080?Description=cooler master thermal compound&cm_re=cooler_master_thermal_compound-_-35-103-080-_-Product

I apply it thinly with a cut up plastic credit card used as a spreader.

I made a mistake - it was called NANO FUSION - I think its been relabeled as 'Thermal Fusion 400' now.

 

[delshay]

Phobya Liquid Metal works best for me. Not going back to normal paste.

 

[The Egg]

The worst would be the multitudes of stock-applied TIM which harden into a clay/wax-like brick over time, and then require extreme care to not rip the processor out of socket during removal. I've gotten tons of packets of cheap white stuff over the years (included with whatever random products), but always immediately tossed them in the trash. Second mention (for stuff I've actually used) would be whatever was applied to the bottom of my current Arctic Freezer 13. I originally had an 8700k, and got lazy during the build when I saw (what looked to be half-way decent) pre-applied TIM on the bottom of the heatsink. I had an opportunity to sell the 8700k a year later and get a 9700k for roughly a wash, and took it. When I removed the HSF, it was a horrible runny/gooey mess, and excessively difficult to remove. Proper remounting of the same Freezer 13 with AS5 on the 9700k runs 5-7C cooler, so it was also a lousy performer.

For the best.....I dunno. I started with Arctic Silver II, and still currently have enough Arctic Silver 5 to last me another 20-25 applications. I've always been happy with the performance, and never roasted anything. I know how to apply it well, and also what to expect out of it. Whatever is the latest and greatest --- the difference isn't by enough to make me toss what I have. If PC building is still a thing by the time I run out, I'll reassess the TIM landscape.

 

[Deleted member 185158]

IC Diamond is a bit of a pain, But does a nice job if you can get it applied thin enough.
AS5 is ok, does the trick.
MX-4 is great stuff. not much to say.
XSPC 2 is pretty decent.
Antec Formula 6/7 diamond pastes, much better than IC diamond for spreading, cools similar.
ThermalTake TG4 is kinda like AS5, does the trick, nothing spectacular about it really.
Insignia Paste is not quite as good as AS5, do not recommend.
Corsair TM30 is like getting TG4 or AS5. About the same consistency and does a job ok.
Cooler Master IceFusion is not good. wouldn't use this on my gaming rigs or OC ever. Mom's rig maybe....
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut works particularly well, also with de-lidded chips.

IC diamond, TGK and F6/7 are the only ones I've used on naked cores. The others are too poor in heat transfer.

 

[Solaris17]

AS5 is probably the worst I have used.

I really liked how MX4 spread.

 

[Deleted member 185158]

AS5 is probably the worst I have used.

I really liked how MX4 spread.

Ruh Roh, better duck, keyboards just went flying!!

As5 is not the worst paste out there, trust me on this! lol

 

[Solaris17]

Ruh Roh, better duck, keyboards just went flying!!

As5 is not the worst paste out there, trust me on this! lol

Sure it is. This thread wasn't about performance from what I can tell. Random members just posted such. I hate how oily it is and I don't like the way it spreads.

 

[Tomgang]

I have not worked with much paste. Only artic silver 5 and thermal grizzly kryonaut.

I greed that thermal grizzly kryonaut, is not the easiest paste to work with. But I prefer performance over easy any time and kryonaut dit wunders with temp on my old i7 980x and I am planning to use it again on my upcoming ryzen build as well.

 

[Jetster]

Sure it is. This thread wasn't about performance from what I can tell. Random members just posted such. I hate how oily it is and I don't like the way it spreads.

I don't spread it. but agree if you have too its can get messy. Its a mess to clean up too. But it works

 

[Deleted member 185158]

Sure it is. This thread wasn't about performance from what I can tell. Random members just posted such. I hate how oily it is and I don't like the way it spreads.

Indeed, everyone's entitled to an opinion. however performance lives matter too.

 

[silkstone]

Indeed, everyone's entitled to an opinion. however performance lives matter too.

That's what this thread is about, people opinion from working with all different TIMs. I wasn't asking from a performance standpoint, but asking about the best/worst when you consider all of the factors, such as application, as well. It 'seems' like MX-4 is a clear winner here, but it might be because of it's price, more people are likely to try it compared to other types.

 

[robot zombie]

Surprised at the dislike for kryonaut. I didn't find it bad to work with at all... though I've never spread it due to how it behaves. But I've never seen a need to because a proper bead of it spreads for good coverage and performs just fine. Removal seems a bit easier, too... it doesn't have as much suction as MX-4, which I also like a lot. The only reason I dislike kryonaut is the price... that is borderline snake-oil pricing, man!

 

[silkstone]

Surprised at the dislike for kryonaut. I didn't find it bad to work with at all... though I've never spread it due to how it behaves. But I've never seen a need to because a proper bead of it spreads for good coverage and performs just fine. Removal seems a bit easier, too... it doesn't have as much suction as MX-4, which I also like a lot. The only reason I dislike kryonaut is the price... that is borderline snake-oil pricing, man!

Their own instructions say it should be spread. When I was applying it, I put it on GPU die, so I kinda needed to ensure I got good coverage.
I've used the bead/pea/grain of rice method in the past, it's generally works, but sometimes it misses the corners if you don't have enough. I didn't want this to happen on my GPU and as it's rather thick, It's hard to judge how well it will spread without some testing so I tried the method in their instructions.

I agree on price/performance though. I got a 1g tube for about $5, but a lot of places I found are selling that much for $10!

 

[Apocalypsee]

I've used MX-2, CS5 and currently using Kryonaut. All of them are good, the only reason I use Kryonaut is because I no longer found MX-2 and no MX-4 because locals (from facebook to forums) love this paste. Previously local Radioshack bought in AS5 but the shop already closes so...

The worst paste I use is Cooler Master IC Essential, its not me who using it it was my friend and ask me to apply for him. After few thermal cycle his laptop begins to overheat, I reapply again and same thing happen. Cleaned it and apply Kryonaut, after that no longer overheating issues.

 

[damric]

Tx4 easy, and that ic diamond clay crap I got for free on this forum for that test trial, ugh.

 

[kapone32]

I was using MX4 and then switched to Noctua NTH1. I recently used the new NTH2 and that stuff is about 3 degrees cooler than the NTH1. It is expensive but works. The absolute worst TIM for me was some that came with a GPU cooler I bought.

Amazon.ca

 

[INSTG8R]

I was using MX4 and then switched to Noctua NTH1. I recently used the new NTH2 and that stuff is about 3 degrees cooler than the NTH1. It is expensive but works. The absolute worst TIM for me was some that came with a GPU cooler I bought.

Amazon.ca

I had no issues with NHT1, decent paste. I guess when my huge syringe of MX-4 is gone I’ll give NHT2 a spin

 

[kapone32]

I had no issues with NHT1, decent paste. I guess when my huge syringe of MX-4 is gone I’ll give NHT2 a spin

Trust me you will like it. As reference my 1920X idles in the low 30s with a 4.1 GHZ OC and does not ever go north of 55 (Of course after the Offset).

 

[GlacierNine]

The hardest I've worked with is Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut. That stuff is like modelling clay and just refuses to stick to anything without using copious amounts.

The secret to Kryonaut is to use the included spreader, and to work *slowly*.

If you try and spread it quickly the layer you're creating will tear under the spreader. If you work slowly and let the flex of the silicone applicator apply most of the downward force instead of attempting to thin it out using pressure, you'll get much better results. I've done a bunch of repastes with it and every time, the slower I work, the less times I have to go back over the IHS to get coverage.

 

[lmille16]

I've used Arctic Silver Ceramique on all 3 of my builds and have had good success with it. Not difficult to apply and solid thermal performance. I don't have any point of comparison and I can't remember the last time I saw a thermal paste shootout review...

 

[silkstone]

The secret to Kryonaut is to use the included spreader, and to work *slowly*.

If you try and spread it quickly the layer you're creating will tear under the spreader. If you work slowly and let the flex of the silicone applicator apply most of the downward force instead of attempting to thin it out using pressure, you'll get much better results. I've done a bunch of repastes with it and every time, the slower I work, the less times I have to go back over the IHS to get coverage.

Yeah. There is definitely a technique, but I only got the 1g tube with the separate plastic spreader. The manual says you can get 20 applications from 1.5 g, so I was going by that when trying to judge how much to put on.
From using it, I don't see how that is even in the realm of possibility. I used over 1/2 of my tube just doing 2 GPU applications. The stuff did have a tendency to get away from me and off the edge of the GPU die, but still, I salvaged as much of that as I could. I'll try using the last of the tube next time I reapply the paste to my CPU and see whether it's worthwhile using over MX-4 for temps.

 

[Grog6]

I use AS5 or MX4, whichever is closest where I'm working, lol.

I can't really tell much difference.

The worst I ever used was indium solder.

That was a terrible idea; even tho it melts at 117C, it's almost impossible to remove.

I applied it with a heatgun, and thought I could remove it the same way, but Noooo.

I finally wrapped the heatpipe HS with a washcloth and no fans, and ran a benchmark until it fell off.

Didn't kill the socket775 core2 duo it was on, somehow, lol.

DTTAH, Kids! Rofl.