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    Is it necessary to apply IC Diamond thermal compound?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by simbeane, Jul 15, 2011.

  1. simbeane

    simbeane Notebook Geek

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    Im gonna purchase an M17x from hidevolution, they offer an option of IC diamond thermal compound. Do you guys think it is necessary to apply IC diamond or should I keep using the stock thermal compound?
    Is the stock thermal compound good enough for a m17x system?
     
    simbeane, Jul 15, 2011
    #1
  2. inap

    inap .........................

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    Stock paste is ok. Aftermarket paste is always better, its pretty easy to repaste yourself too.
     
    inap, Jul 15, 2011
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  3. eldub0844

    eldub0844 Notebook Consultant

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    I went the shin-etsu paste route, how is the IC diamond thermal when compared? :eek:
     
    eldub0844, Jul 15, 2011
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  4. ValkerieFire

    ValkerieFire God Follower

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    On the M17s the stock paste is pretty dang good. Also the 6970m is a surprisingly cool running card (compared to the 5870). Is repasting necessary?absolutely not, would I pay someone else to do? No way. Is it worth doing yourself? If you have good paste (a tube of ICD will cost you $10), then use it will lower your temps a bit and is pretty easy. It isn't something you "need" to do though, my M17 ran great bone stock and most others do also.
     
    ValkerieFire, Jul 15, 2011
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  5. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    I would agree the stock paste on the m17 is pretty dang good. I attempted to run the computer on max stress and it still wouldn't go past 92C. No cooling pad or anything fancy either.
     
    zoolian982, Jul 15, 2011
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  6. Simplified

    Simplified The Most Awesome

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    The stock paste is good even on the R2. I have not repasted my R2, because my temps are very good already (88c max on the gpus).

    I have repasted my desktop many times though. I have been switching from Arctic Silver 5 to OCZ Freeze, IC diamond etc because the cpu in my desktop always run hot...
     
    Simplified, Jul 15, 2011
    #6
  7. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    Quick question: How does one check "ambient" temperature? Do I need to go buy a thermometer from the store to hang in my room?
     
    ECKS, Jul 17, 2011
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  8. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes, you need a thermometer or thermostat (or anything with a thermistor) in the room. Most pastes are around the same performance, there is more variance in the application of the paste than the pastes themselves. You don't need to replace the stock until a few months when it dries out or spreads too thin.
     
    sgogeta4, Jul 17, 2011
    #8