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    Prolimatech PK-1 vs Arctic Cooling MX-4

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Geos1, Nov 23, 2011.

  1. Geos1

    Geos1 Notebook Geek

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    I am going to change the thermal paste on my laptop both CPU and GPU. Which of the two should i buy? Is it true that PK1 evaporates quickly? I can buy 1g of PK1 or 4gs of MX-4 so if it evaporates i should take the latter. Also, what is the difference in temps?
     
    Geos1, Nov 23, 2011
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  2. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    2011 Thermal Compound Roundup – Results Compilation | Skinnee Labs

    look at moderate contact for what you might expect on a laptop

    I used PK-1 on both GPU and CPU and my temps are stellar

    Both pk-1 and mx-4 are great pastes with a +/- 1-2c between them. I'd get whatever was the best price. If you want the absolute best temps, you have to go with PK-1
     
    SlickDude80, Nov 23, 2011
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  3. Geos1

    Geos1 Notebook Geek

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    I went ahead and bought the Prolimatech.

    Before Prolimatech
    CPU max 77C
    GPU max 78

    With Prolimatech
    CPU max 73C (thats when the higher fan speed kicks in)
    GPU max 70C

    The improvement was much better in GPU. I think i overapplied the paste on the CPU. Theres an improvement in idle temps too but less in pure numbers.
     
    Geos1, Nov 24, 2011
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  4. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    What are your specs? 73c can be excellent depending on your laptop and CPU

    For example, my core i7 2820 runs 71-72 on all cores while being pushed to 100% utilization by prime95 8 threads

    My GPU, runs 67c after 4 mins of furmark burnin test

    Look in my sig for my CPU guide for how i applied the paste on the CPU...also be careful not to over tighten the screws on the heatsink that could cause bad contact
     
    SlickDude80, Nov 24, 2011
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  5. Geos1

    Geos1 Notebook Geek

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    I have a dell inspiron 15r n5110. 2410m 525m. I did overtight the screws on the heatsink. I thought that was for better. I also used some regular 70% alcohol for the clean up. Oh! And something else. I was not carefull enough in the beginning and i used my screwdriver to clean the paste off the CPU heatsink. Some minor scratches there. I suppose thats a problem.
     
    Geos1, Nov 24, 2011
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  6. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    problem is when you overtighten the screws, the heatsink can bend which will leave gaps between the CPU and the copper plate of the heatsink

    Scratches on the heatsink can also lead to higher temps, but if they aren't major, don't worry about it
     
    SlickDude80, Nov 24, 2011
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  7. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Any of the "top" few pastes will be sufficient. I'd personally just get the cheapest of the top 5 or 10 since performance difference is within the standard rate of error.
     
    sgogeta4, Nov 25, 2011
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