thermal paste or thermal grease, whats the difference?

[keakar]

i know they are actually different but as far as knowing how and when to use one or the other is the question. ive heard never ever use the grease and then i also heard unless your overclocking it doesn't matter which one you use.

 

[pbmaster]

Actually, I think they are the same thing. Just different terms, I guess.

 

[anticlutch]

My rule of thumb: stick with AS5 and it's smooth sailing from there on

 

[ex_reven]

same stuff
the only thing you need to be concerned about is what its based on, whether it be silicone, ceramic or metal based. As thats what influences thermal transfer

 

[pbmaster]

Arctic Silver 5 FTW!!!!

 

[Namslas90]

Actually, I think they are the same thing. Just different terms, I guess.

The paste will become thicker when it sets. The grease is more difficult to use as it spreads more and does not set up like the paste. You gotta use a lot less grease then paste.

 

[psychomage343]

i always played on the idea that as5 silver was good on cpu's with an ihs, and as5 ceramique was good for gpu's i've got the ceramique on my video cards and if there was a difference in the 2 it's minimal but the big difference is no silver to touch the surrounding area's around the gpu, that's good i guess

 

[PyroInc]

Arctic Silver 5 FTW!!!!

bump

 

[tkpenalty]

Btw... just some bad news for you guys, AS5 needs to be replaced every half a year. ASC is better after a year, better than AS5.

 

[anticlutch]

Btw... just some bad news for you guys, AS5 needs to be replaced every half a year. ASC is better after a year, better than AS5.

No problem for me... I have enough left in the tube for at least 6-7 more applications, if not more (provided that the AS5 stays mixed). I never knew that though... I guess I learned something new today

 

[Chewy]

Oo goes and checks how the Thermal paste showdown thread is going . I think every 1/2 year maybe if you run like 24/7 or if you have a real hot cpu, most people don't bother changing it until they see temps change I think.

The link http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=26300&highlight=Thermal+grease

 

[ex_reven]

...speaking of which, i think Pinchy still has my AS5

 

[keakar]

ok i think i found some helpfull info. if i understand it correctly it means paste being thicker than grease will fill in better and therby cool better. also the higher the silver content of the paste the better the cooling. ok so i guess that means grease is ok but paste is better. it also said nothing about ever having to replace it so i believe that is bad info. it did say it needed break in period to cool at room temp to set properly so if you leave computer on all the time you need to turn it off a few times to let the paste set. the cooling helps it set.

this link was were i read about it, it is artic silver review.
http://www.modsynergy.com/review109.htm

here is the link to applying the paste where the break in period is explained.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_amd_dual_wcap.pdf

 

[Zalmann]

AS5 is good shit.