Thermal paste applied on your GPU / CPU, survey!

[peche]

I know that are several posts about thermal pastes, brands and recommendations, but I like to make a survey about TIM's used, and time used, so I highly appreciate the following info:

· Thermal paste used on your current video card,
· how long have you been using it,
· application method!
· Why that Compound?

For example:

Peche:
TIM: Arctic Silver 5 @GigaByte GTX 760 OC 2GB Windorforce 3X Rev 2.0, application method: rice grain on center, I used this paste because this was the unique paste I had that moment, no option at all,


All help will be truly appreciated, I'm making a survey for an investigation purpose about TIM preferences and brands! also application methods too…!


Regards,

 

[MrGenius]

You already know what I'm going to say.

• Cool Silver G4
• ~9 months
• As directed first step,

  Using the syringe, dispense Cool Silver G4 on the processor making an "X" pattern.

  Second step I always install, then immediately uninstall, the HSF to remove the excess TIM. Which generally includes thoroughly cleaning either the processor die and/or the HS mating surface. Only both if I really screwed up and put way too much on, but always at least one or the other. Because it's almost impossible, IMO, to not apply too much TIM on your first try. And you can typically get by easily with half the amount(or ~ whatever is still stuck to the processor die or HSF after removing it). Next step I usually apply a few tiny pin point size dabs in any spots that look like they need more. Then final step, I reinstall the HSF, and call it good.
• Because it's some seriously good TIM! Best I've ever used. No joke!

 

[erocker]

I'll use whatever as long as it isn't garbage.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Use MX-4 on GPU's. I prefer the spread method in a very thin layer. I love my temps so I will keep applying it that way.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

I have never needed to or even felt like changing the TIM on any of my gpus.
CPU as infrequently as possible, certainly not during housekeeping or to a routine, but always when replacing HSF.

Temps are fine on everything.
Hope this isnt against the spirit of the thread @peche

 

[sneekypeet]

I'll use whatever as long as it isn't garbage.

Please elaborate.... What constitutes garbage, just so I can compare lists

 

[GreiverBlade]

well for my Kryografics Hawaii on my 290 i used Gelid GC-Extreme on both GPU and vRAM, and that showed me that TIM has to be changed sometime on GPU ... specially if the cooler is a stock (ref or non ref) the past was hard dry under the original heatsink xD

otherwise if i run out of Gelid (which is kinda unlikely)or if my etailer is out of stock, i would order or use Arctic MX-4
on my 8800Ultra i used Phobya HE-grease extreme and Phobya thermal glue (only for the vRAM)

all those 3 give good result and are quite easy to find, method well rice grain as always been enough, just on vRAM i tend to spread it a bit.

technically whatever float your boat .... they all do +/-1° (when applied "correctly" for some ...)sooo whatever ...

 

[erocker]

Please elaborate.... What constitutes garbage, just so I can compare lists

I guess I stick to "name brand" stuff and stay away from the white mystery goo in the unmarked tubes lol. I guess I prefer the MX-2/3/4 stuff. Easy to apply and clean up. It works.

 

[micropage7]

· Thermal paste used on your current video card -----> generic $2
· how long have you been using it --------------------> about a year
· application method! ---------------------------------> rice grain
· Why that Compound? --------------------------------> easy to find in here and cheap,

 

[peche]

Use MX-4 on GPU's. I prefer the spread method in a very thin layer. I love my temps so I will keep applying it that way.

hi dude! @rtwjunkie Can you bring more info on that?
i truly appreciate a little bit more details on it!

I have never needed to or even felt like changing the TIM on any of my gpus.
CPU as infrequently as possible, certainly not during housekeeping or to a routine, but always when replacing HSF.
Temps are fine on everything.
Hope this isnt against the spirit of the thread @peche

Pretty much, i will tell yalater about my evil plans

Please elaborate.... What constitutes garbage, just so I can compare lists

@sneekypeet Thanks for you help always!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@Bill_Bright can you provide some info on this tread, i would like to see your opinions...!

 

[yotano211]

I use Cool laboratory Liquid Ultra for the processor and Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme for both GPUs on my laptop.
I have used liquid ultra for about 10 months about repasting. The temps keep to the same like when I started repasted the processor.

· Thermal paste used on your current video card,--Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme
· how long have you been using it,--about 10 months
· application method!--i use a credit card to apply over the graphics card
· Why that Compound?--its rated among the best

 

[xvi]

Whatever's available and reviews well. I usually start with a recent thermal paste roundup, start at the best performing paste that I like and work my way down the list until I find something reasonably priced. Most recent paste for me was the Prolimatech PK-3. I'd probably go with that again (although I remember it being cheaper).

 

[natr0n]

I have a few tubes of different brands.

I use mx4 (kinda runny) and ceramique2(thick) sometimes i mix them and apply.

I use a qtip with tip removed(paper stick) and apply with a circular motion from center on gpu/cpu till covered.

 

[vega22]

i said no in poll, as i do not always use same tim, but i do have my preferred brands. but the which depends on the what.


· Thermal paste used on your current video card, - liquid ultra
· how long have you been using it, -14/18 months or so
· application method! -as directed via instructions, thin layer spread with brush.
· Why that Compound? no better tim for direct core.

 

[Jetster]

Any major brand. I don't think it makes much differnce. Now preparation and application makes all the difference. Clean then tint then grain of rice on CPUs with heat spreaders and spread with bare chips. Or according to the instructions.

 

[yotano211]

Any major brand. I don't think it makes much differnce. Now preparation and application makes all the difference. Clean then tint then grain of rice on CPUs with heat spreaders and spread with bare chips. Or according to the instructions.

Hope you know that it does make a major difference a good and bad paste.

 

[Jetster]

Hope you know that it does make a major difference a good and bad paste.

There is very little difference between the top 5 brands

 

[remixedcat]

Been using AS5 for a while and it's been good

 

[AlienIsGOD]

I used MX 4 on my 680 , that along with the kraken x41 keeps my GPU at a nice c30 C idle. Put the paste on in January and will change it when I see higher idle temps.

 

[GreiverBlade]

· application method!--i use a credit card to apply over the graphics card

luckily that TIM is sold with a spreader tool ... to avoid using a credit card

There is very little difference between the top 5 brands

Indeed +/-1°, in the end its just a price/quantity ratio

mx4 (kinda runny)

Strange... my MX-4 is never runny, it's even a bit thicker than the Ceramique (tested it too just like the Silver 5 before ditching both ) ask for changing your tube if your is. unless it's on all tube, then it's climate and altitude related... maybe


also on application i shall precise a bit.

on my 290 with is a direct exposed die, no need for spread the rice grain is enough, the surface that you need to cover is so small (which contradict the fact that i tend to spread my TIM on vRAM chip ... and since all cooler use more than 4 screw only around GPU, so the pressure is kinda even, if you do it right ofc)

on my 8800Ultra, which has a huge IHS surface, i do spread the TIM.


i found a interesting(funny?) statement...

22.06.2011
"For the longest time, Arctic Silver 5 was known as the pinnacle of thermal paste and its sibling, Ceramique, was also highly regarded for being the best performing paste without any conductivity/capacitance qualities. Things changed a few years back, however; Arctic Cooling MX-2 came on the scene and exceeded Arctic Silver 5’s performance while also not being capacitive. "

oh the MX-2? well then .... the king has been lay down since long, why the price is kept up and the quantity under other's average? it amaze me ...
the MX-2 is a good TIM (a bit more viscous than the MX-4) and both MX-4 and GC-Extreme outperform it (not in price tho )

 

[FreedomEclipse]

• TIM: Prolimatech PK-3 Nano Aluminum
• Time Used: Since day one of receiving my 970s when they were first released
• Application Method: Spread like butter evenly across the die with old college and work ID cards
• Why That Compound: I have a tube lying around and because "Like two hot lovers, a heatsink and the processor want to make full contact. But microscopic imperfections in their craftsmanship create small gap for air. These gaps act as thermal insulators, inhibiting the transfer of thermal energy from your components. PK-3 thermal compound is made up of specially designed nano particles, engineered to correct these imperfections. The nano particles work by filling in the small air gaps and allowing for peak transfer of heat away from your components." but mainly because its non-conductive.

I purchased PK-3 as test to see if it was better than the MX-4 that i used for everything. I think it is slightly better but probably not worth paying the extra premium on top for. After my PK-3 is finished i might try some Noctua TIMs as people always rave about them otherwise its back to MX-4 for me, cheap and easy to get in big tubes that last forever.

 

[DinaAngel]

My 780s that's not in use atm got the metal thermal paste and water blocks. best Temps but permanent. Never use tht stuff on cpu. It removes the text and numbers on the lid. It's the ultra paste.

http://www.coollaboratory.com/en/products/liquid-ultra/

 

[fullinfusion]

· Gelid GC extreme
· using it for a year or better on a pair of R9 290's
· Spread with the included spatchula/ tried many ways, but the best result with this paste gave the best results when spread.
· I use this paste because I've used almost all the others and I get the best results using this stuff.

Was a fan of MX brand, but hands down, the GC kicks the crap outa it.

I mean MAX temperatures were close with both pastes, but still a few lower degrees lower in temps is great!
But what I found really interesting was how fast it cooled down the cards over the other brands I've used over the years.

 

[peche]

I use Cool laboratory Liquid Ultra for the processor

@yotano211 coollab direct on CPU IHS?

I have used liquid ultra for about 10 months about repasting. The temps keep to the same like when I started repasted the processor.

its well know that Coollab lastas forever!

"For the longest time, Arctic Silver 5 was known as the pinnacle of thermal paste and its sibling, Ceramique, was also highly regarded for being the best performing paste without any conductivity/capacitance qualities. Things changed a few years back, however; Arctic Cooling MX-2 came on the scene and exceeded Arctic Silver 5’s performance while also not being capacitive. "

Come on! 3.5g tube… come on you are not that good…

I purchased PK-3 as test to see if it was better than the MX-4 that i used for everything. I think it is slightly better but probably not worth paying the extra premium on top for. After my PK-3 is finished i might try some Noctua TIMs as people always rave about them otherwise its back to MX-4 for me, cheap and easy to get in big tubes that last forever.

Here in my country Arctic Silver 5 its pretty famous, since there is not so much sources many people love it, most people here is also stuck on it, they don’t even try or look other brands even when is a known issue that several brands have outperformed it, and also more affordable tubes, combos and also easy to use, arctic tends to separate when tube is stored for more than 5 months,

Regards,

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I honestly cant remember the last time i used AS5. It might of been around or pre socket 939 days. Im not sure if i was a user of ceramique I seem to faintly recall that i did use that for a short period of time before switching over to MX-1 and slowly working my way through AC's MX range to where i am today.

The MX range has always been such great value