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    Differences between thermal compounds..can someone clear this up?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by kisetsu17, Jul 20, 2009.

  1. kisetsu17

    kisetsu17 Took me long enough

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    So in my local computer stuff shop, they have stocks for three different variants of thermal compounds--these are:

    • Nano-Silver Thermal Compound
    • Nano-Silver Thermal Compound (CK4000)
    • Nano-Diamond Thermal Compound (CK4800)

    Well, they're generic names, knowing that products from this shop are unbranded for lower prices (these compounds cost roughly $2, $2.50 and $3, respectively, ofc in our currency) but I want to know what makes each of them different. Also, AS5 is technically just Nano-silver thermal compound, right? :D
     
    kisetsu17, Jul 20, 2009
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  2. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    Fragilexx, Jul 20, 2009
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  3. kisetsu17

    kisetsu17 Took me long enough

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    So which one would you recommend for, say, an Acer laptop with a regular heatsink? I mean, I'm about to install a T9800 on it, and I have a 9300M GS I might also cover up with thermal compound again when I do the upgrade..
     
    kisetsu17, Jul 20, 2009
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  4. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Quite frankly, it's not so much important in picking a particular brand of thermal compound, rather it is much more important that something, anything, be used. Journeying to boutique vendors like XoticPC or CyberPower, you can get AS5 applied to your CPU/GPU for an extra charge, something like $20.

    Nevertheless, it doesn't really matter what you pick, just as long you pick something. Differences between quality thermal compounds these days, for the most part, are slight. In my opinion, unless you are intending to overclock your CPU and/or GPU, I would stick with whatever thermal grease comes with your system.

    The advantages of supposed "higher grade" thermal compounds diminish if you aren't going to take advantage of their ability to deal with higher heat signatures (ie overclocking).
     
    garetjax, Jul 20, 2009
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  5. bossier330

    bossier330 Notebook Consultant

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    I upgraded my Inspiron 1520 from stock to Arctic Silver 5. My rig's only been running for a few days with AS5, but I've already seen about a 2 degree (C) drop as far as normal operating temps. I haven't stress tested yet.
     
    bossier330, Jul 20, 2009
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  6. kisetsu17

    kisetsu17 Took me long enough

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    I'm thinking between buying that cheap nano-silver or at least the nano-diamond compound or buy a tube of AS5 online, since I'm about to upgrade processors..just not sure though if the cheap one's gonna hold up..heard that some cheap thermal compounds tend to dry out after how many hours.

    Anyway, I'm straying to just buying the nano-diamond one. :D
     
    kisetsu17, Jul 22, 2009
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  7. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Search for the Diamond IC7 thread in NBR, you might get to try a sample.
     
    sgogeta4, Jul 22, 2009
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