What are the worst TIMs?

[Veseleil]

@TPCEA we appreciate your enthusiasm, even if you can't see us contribute directly, and I'm sure @cvaldes didn't meant to do any harm, nor discourage you. He just shared his opinion, and the fact he did that is a sign he gives a damn. In the contrast to the majority that doesn't. So please don't let that kind of stuff discourage you, because believe me, this thread didn't saw an assault of the ignorant ones yet. looking forward to the results.

I wonder how good no TIM is if one has lapped the surfaces to match.

The problem rises with the fact that LGA type sockets bend the IHS so much, that only lapping it while already in socket might come close to that desired flatness.

 

[natr0n]

The worst ones are the ones were it goes under your cpu because you have no coordination and shouldn't use a pc.

 

[TPCEA]

Will you include hard setting TIM? (to resist pump-out)

For example? I certainly think that would be helpful for people, and make my videos with the intent of helping the public.

I have no intention of ignoring specific types of pastes. I don't currently, however, plan to test liquid metals, both because my funds are currently stretched out and because I want to focus on what most people will use, first.

@TPCEA we appreciate your enthusiasm, even if you can't see us contribute directly, and I'm sure @cvaldes didn't meant to do any harm, nor discourage you. He just shared his opinion, and the fact he did that is a sign he gives a damn. In the contrast to the majority that doesn't. So please don't let that kind of stuff discourage you, because believe me, this thread didn't saw an assault of the ignorant ones yet. looking forward to the results.

Thank you. I appreciate you saying that. And that he apparently gives a damn.

 

[Shrek]

For example?

Good question, I know a lot of computers have hard set paste from the factory, but I don't know any examples.

 

[LabRat 891]

lapping it while already in socket

Makes sense, though.
I guess safest would be an inverted motherboard over a purpose-built machine sander.


As far as Thread Topic goes:

You should be able to hop onto Digi-key and/or Mouser and drill down some of the worst TIMs.
Whether you buy from them or not, their search filters can help you find Product Names and Part Numbers to search elsewhere.

 

[Toothless]

Clearly it's peanut butter.

 

[Keullo-e]

Now when I think, it was probably this crap which was even worse than the stock TIM under 7700K's IHS.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Konig-Silver-Heat-Sink-Compound/dp/B001E39X78

 

[cvaldes]

For example? I certainly think that would be helpful for people, and make my videos with the intent of helping the public.

I have no intention of ignoring specific types of pastes. I don't currently, however, plan to test liquid metals, both because my funds are currently stretched out and because I want to focus on what most people will use, first.

Focus on the ones used the most by your viewership, presumably consumers.

Since you're an Amazon employee perhaps you have access to their order database and can see which SKUs have been purchased the most and stick with the top 20-30. Look at the TIMs you have on hand and toss out the ones that are no longer marketed. And throw out any that wouldn't be interest to consumers like an industrial grade TIM that only comes in 5 gallon buckets.

That would narrow down the selection to stuff Mr./Ms. PC Enthusiast would actually shell out money on and apply to their PC hardware. Most consumers would simply use what was pre-applied or the little tube/packet that comes with the cooler. And those are the rare individuals who purchase PC components. The average computer user has never seen the inside of their device.

You're already focusing on a product category (TIMs) that even the enthusiast DIY PC builder uses infrequently and sparingly. It's not like some guy is going to throw away his $5 4g tube of Arctic MX-4 because a $7 tube of Brand X gets 0.7 degrees Celsius better performance.

Anyhow best of luck.

 

[A Computer Guy]

Clearly it's peanut butter.

I thought it was mayo?

 

[Toothless]

I thought it was mayo?

Cream cheese might be similar.

 

[A Computer Guy]

I always wondered how well that would work if someone soldiered their CPU to the heatsink .

 

[noatmo]

I always wondered how well that would work if someone soldiered their CPU to the heatsink .

Only one way to find out.

 

[freeagent]

NT-H1 reminded me of powdered mashed potaters.. all creamy and ready to pump out at a moments notice.

 

[cvaldes]

NT-H1 reminded me of powdered mashed potaters.. all creamy and ready to pump out at a moments notice.

I love mashed potatoes but I don't ever think I've had the powdered stuff. And NT-H1 has worked well enough for me in the past that I'd buy another tube again.

You Canadians are peculiar though. Grey potatoes?



Come to think of it I had purple (flesh) potatoes a couple of months ago and they were delicious. So maybe grey potatoes aren't so weird after all. Maybe OP can include mashed potatoes and butter in his TIM trials...

 

[A Computer Guy]

NT-H1 reminded me of powdered mashed potaters.. all creamy and ready to pump out at a moments notice.

I was also thinking about powered mashed potatoes with mineral oil (to prevent drying)

 

[thebluebumblebee]

The piece of plastic that says, "remove before installation".

 

[TPCEA]

Makes sense, though.
I guess safest would be an inverted motherboard over a purpose-built machine sander.


As far as Thread Topic goes:

You should be able to hop onto Digi-key and/or Mouser and drill down some of the worst TIMs.
Whether you buy from them or not, their search filters can help you find Product Names and Part Numbers to search elsewhere.

Great! I knew they had tons of fans (and poorly working filters), but I didn't know they have TIMs! Thanks!

I always wondered how well that would work if someone soldiered their CPU to the heatsink .

Depends on the heatsink, the case, the fans, etc. If the CPU is soldered to the mobo, that would help, of course.

NT-H1 reminded me of powdered mashed potaters.. all creamy and ready to pump out at a moments notice.

I haven't had that happen to me. Then again, I'm not an OCer.

I love mashed potatoes but I don't ever think I've had the powdered stuff. And NT-H1 has worked well enough for me in the past that I'd buy another tube again.

You Canadians are peculiar though. Grey potatoes?



Come to think of it I had purple (flesh) potatoes a couple of months ago and they were delicious. So maybe grey potatoes aren't so weird after all. Maybe OP can include mashed potatoes and butter in his TIM trials...

Purple potatoes are great, and a bit sweet, so that's probably what made them delicious. Grey just sounds gross. So does green, which is dangerous to eat.

I don't eat butter, so I'm afraid I'm unwilling to lick the butter off my IHS and cold plate.

 

[Chomiq]

Clearly it's peanut butter.

In my experience the worst stuff I saw was the thing used on 9800 SE that hardened so much you could barely scrape it off the heatsink.

 

[masterdeejay]

When i bought a tesla m40 it was hot but not that bad, so i decided to repaste it because the stock paste was rock hard. I had an almost 10y old hy510 (it was 1 usd for 30g!) but i give it a try.
The temps where much worse .... So i repaste it with MX5... -10C
So i think the expired chinese ultra cheap paste is useless


A friend of mine tested some things in 2008.
Blackberry jam
Peach jam
Apricot
Blackberry jam
Ketchup
Honey
Amodent toothpaste
Aloe vera hand cream
(translated from hungarian)
https://logout-hu.translate.goog/ci..._sl=hu&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=hu&_x_tr_pto=wapp

https://logout-hu.translate.goog/ci..._sl=hu&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=hu&_x_tr_pto=wapp

The winner was Blackberry jam, better than silver paste.

 

[TPCEA]

When i bought a tesla m40 it was hot but not that bad, so i decided to repaste it because the stock paste was rock hard. I had an almost 10y old hy510 (it was 1 usd for 30g!) but i give it a try.
The temps where much worse .... So i repaste it with MX5... -10C
So i think the expired chinese ultra cheap paste is useless


A friend of mine tested some things in 2008.
Blackberry jam
Peach jam
Apricot
Blackberry jam
Ketchup
Honey
Amodent toothpaste
Aloe vera hand cream
(translated from hungarian)
https://logout-hu.translate.goog/ci..._sl=hu&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=hu&_x_tr_pto=wapp

https://logout-hu.translate.goog/ci..._sl=hu&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=hu&_x_tr_pto=wapp

The winner was Blackberry jam, better than silver paste.

Would that be Arctic or Alphacool Silver? Or, perhaps, another?

 

[freeagent]

AS5 is actually pretty good. But the problem with it is that you have to be skillful with you're application. Too much and it is an insulator, and not enough.. well you know. AS5 loses its grip at around 200w imo, so if you have a small CPU.. being a 6 or 8 core, then it should be pretty good if you nail you're application.

 

[Toothless]

AS5 is actually pretty good. But the problem with it is that you have to be skillful with you're application. Too much and it is an insulator, and not enough.. well you know. AS5 loses its grip at around 200w imo, so if you have a small CPU.. being a 6 or 8 core, then it should be pretty good if you nail you're application.

What would you say is good for 200w+?

 

[P4-630]

A sheet of cheddar will do just fine..

 

[Shrek]

CPU Thermal Paste Alternatives and Substitutes - EEWeb

I actually think diaper cream (the 40% zinc oxide version) would work in a bind; the above confirms this, but I don't know if they used the strong stuff. That it dries out may actually be a benefit.

 

[freeagent]

What would you say is good for 200w+?

I like SYY-157. It is cheap and it is good. Old reviews say it is thick, now it is perfect. Thermalright TFX is pretty good too. But its pretty thick. I have some TF8 on my GTX 580 Matrix Platinum.. seems ok but hasn't been running for a bit so.. doesn't count I reckon. I have SYY-157 on my GTX 980 Classified. Ran great for a year and a bit before I swapped it out for my old 3070Ti. Both of my Ti cards still have stock paste and pads.