Thermal Grease - Best One? IC Diamond?

I am looking to update my CPU in my Sager. But was wondering what the best thermal grease is to use. I have used Arctic Silver 5 for years happily with all my desktop updates. But I know this IC Diamond seems to have trumped it by quite a bit. Is there something else to consider? I will also be using it on my desktop update from dual to quad.

 

I have used OCZ freeze on my last 4 cpu changes on my laptops and temps have dropped at least 3-5 degrees . Of course the factory glops the stuff on so maybe any of the pastes will do that if applied well .
All I know is that it has been close to 2 years since the first application and that laptop still runs cool .
It was easy to apply as well .

 

Arctic Cooling MX-3 , it's non electrically conductive , non bleeding .. so much easier and safer than AS5.

 

I hate AS5. There's one that theres a paint on applicator, that looks incredibly easy to use.

 

Aside from not being electrically conductive, AS5 shares the same properties as MX-3. As long as you're careful when applying TIM, as you should always be anyway, AS5 is no more difficult and no less safer to use than anything else on the market.

To the original poster, I have been a fan of AS5 for years, but I have quickly come around and realized the benefits of using IC Diamond 7. That stuff is the best TIM I have ever had the pleasure of using. My only quibble is that it is so thick that it can be hard to apply.

 

When purchasing Thermal Paste IMO it is important to weigh the cost vs benefit.
Something that reduces just 1degrees that cost 2 times a competitor's product is definitely not worth it.

 

I heard that. I did read that some people run it under hot water before applying which makes it a lot easier to apply.

Yeah, good point. But the ICD7 seems to offer a significant advantage, like 5C on avg, under load. Especially for a laptop since it shares the same heatsink with the GPU, which I plan on eventually overclocking. This puppy's gotta get me through at least another year.

 

You answered your question before you posted it

ICD7 FTW

 

The best paste out there is Shin-Etsu X23-7783D Silicone Thermal Compound just a little expensive, and only marginally better. One of the best pasted for cost is Artic Cooling MX2 cheap and delivers, with MX3 being slightly better but harder to apply, same case with ICD7. Artic has some new paste though, not sure if its better or competitive with this new compunds, Arctic Silver Matrix Thixotropic Thermal Grease CPU Heat Sink Compound

 

I think I may just stick with AS5 or try ICD7. I can buy both locally. I don't want to get my chip before my grease. LOL. But that new AS Matrix looks interesting.

 

ICD7 is currently the best one in the market AFAIK.

I just stick with the arctic products though, good price and proven performers for me. (AS5 or MX-3 with Articlean & polish)

 

The advantage of IC Diamond is that its reaaaalllllyyy thick, so its useful for northbridges where a pad would usually be used because of the gap. I would suggest it.

 

I would say one of the top ones but Shin Etsu been proven better, although this is with desktop chips that dont have open die, so it might not be the same scenario.

[Review] Indigo Xtreme vs. AS5, MX-2, IC Diamond, Shin-Etsu X23-7783D

 

One last question though, how to apply it? I know on desktops with the heat spreader Arctic Silver has a good guide on what to do, but without that large single heat spreader, I'm assuming just a small bead along the length of each "cpu"?

Like this (grease in red)?:

 

It's not like the normal solutions where a certain amount is good, obviously you would be able to judge a good amount, but it must be decently thick because thats how it works. I applied it very generously, more is better than less in this case.

 

ZINC and Aluminum vs Diamonds?

Unless your going to galvanize your nice shiny copper heat sink id go for the Diamond base thermal comp myself.I could be wrong though.


What ever happened the Graphite based compound or graphite based heat sinks?

 

Why is more better than less? Usually you just want enough to fill the microscopic crevices and the "gap" between the heat spreader and the heatsink. Typically too much would cause a thermal increase, wouldn't it?

 

Obviously you dont want it oozing over the edges and such, but like I said it functions differently than Arctic Silver, it could be applied as a gap filler and work great, or used on a heatsink and still work great. Using too much wont kill its performance is all I am saying.

 

Application + Viscosity + Heat + Pressure + Time + Material + Individual etc etc....

AS5 is conductive dont use to much.ICD7 isnt so if it does spill over the CPU core onto the other cpu connections..less of a issue

 

I've been using the Arctic Silver Matrix paste, and it works just fine for me. I used MX-3 before that and it was awesome. Because of the wonky heat controls on my laptops' fan, I couldn't tell too much off a difference, but I would think MX-3 would give marginally better performance. However, ASM is a breeze to work with while MX-3 can be a bit... thick. It's better than ICD7 or X23, though.

As for application, I always go for a nice, thin, even spread on the CPU/GPU die. The times I've done the dab and smoosh method I didn't get as good temperatures.

And speaking of thermal pastes, you've got a PM, Wingnut.

 

question. ihaent applies paste yet so please bear with me
when i separate the gpu/cpu from the heatsink will there be substrate left on the chip and hs? if so, what is the best way to remove/prepare both for application?

cheers

 

There will be crust, yes. Just get some ArtiClean or any high-alcohol-percentage cleaner, and wipe it off. Might take a few passes, but trust me, you want it mirror shiny.

 

thanks for the speedy reply man

 

^ Articlean has like a citrus based solvent, goes right through old thermal paste. Smells nice too.

Yes Shin Etsu is also up there. Intel actually uses them when doing their testing.

 

People think IC Diamond 7 is the best because back in the day when it came out it was a bit better than AS5. That was 4 years ago or more and there have been further developments in TIM technology.

Please take a look at these three reviews for more on IC Diamond 7, Shin-Etsu X23, and Indigo Xtreme:
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/TIM/IndigoX/IndigoX.html
http://www.overclockerstech.com/ic-diamond-thermal-compound-review/
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article/2009/04/07/thermal_paste_shootout_q209

Shin-Etsu X23-7783D thermal paste is better than IC Diamond 7.

But the best of all is Indigo Xtreme, which technically is not even a thermal paste! It is pretty expensive though, so don't get it unless you are going all out with water cooling or buying the best air cooler.

The Shin-Etsu is reasonably priced and a great paste. I have a tube but I haven't used it yet because I want my tube of AS5 to run out first.

Also, AS5 isn't conductive, it is barely capacitive. On the flipside, application is hardly difficult and zillions of people have used it for the six or so years it has been out. Though definitely not the best thermal compound out there anymore.

 

Here is one more review of 80 TIMs...

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62

 

The only problem with it is the pain of application. Takes some time and skill to get it done properly

 

Thanks Forge is sending some Shin-Etsu my way. It'll be interesting to see results.

 

Shin-Etsu isnt widely available thats why ive never tried it.

I just ordered in ICD7 and im gonna benchmark it compared to AS5 on my desktop.

 

To those that use Shin-Etsu and/or Indigo Extreme, where did you purchase it?

 

FrozenCPU or Petra's Tech Shop both sell either. Indigo is precut to cpu size and comes with kit to set it up, while it might be better, i doubt they do cuts for open die mobile cpus.

 

Hmm so right now I have Shin-Etsu and ICD7. Which one should I use??

And do you guys have any links for good tutorials on how to do this properly? It's my first time.

 

Received the ICD7 today, gonna test it on my desktop tomorrow.

Go with the Shin Etsu

Here is a test of different methods

http://www.innovationcooling.com/applicationinstructions.htm

Notebook CPU's dont have an IHS, so apply a 3.5mm bead

 

It looks like they apply the bead to the heatsink and not to the CPU? That seems odd. And they say to use a 5.5mm bead, not 3.5mm. Mainly because of lack of heat spreader?

 

+1 for ICD7, does a fantastic job on a qx9300.

 

The copper piece is just for simulated tests using glass slides so you can see it.

Notebook CPU's dont have an IHS (integrated heat spreader) so it will require less paste since theres a much smaller surface to cover.

 

+ rep flipfire...when I'm able to give it out again lol

I hope I don't screw this up...gonna open it up next week. I've heard of the line method also...the 5.0 mm bead is better? And then

Also, I wanna apply this to both the CPU and GPU...any differences between the 2 I should know about?

 

No difference in application. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

However, I do recommended spreading it yourself.

 

I used to spread it myself until I started reading all the stuff that said you shouldn't. But I did fine for years with spreading myself.

 

I think I'm just gonna put the heatsink over it and push down firmly.

By the way, after you apply the paste and assemble the laptop back together...is there a waiting period before you power it on? Or anything else you should do afterwards?

 

No waiting period, just fire it up! Most take a hundred hours or more of use, and generally hot/cold cycling (i.e. power up and use the computer, then shut it down), to make it most effective. Usually temps will drop a few deg C after a couple hundred hours depending on the thermal paste used.

 

Ohhh so maybe my new laptop's thermal paste isn't even broken in yet and I should wait a bit?

The only reason I'm thinking about adding new paste is cause my temperatures are a bit higher than I'd like, but nothing too horrible.

 

New laptop would be fine, althought factory's paste is not good as the brands mentioned.
But if it's not voiding the waranty, I'd change the paste

 

Here's a good article about applying the grease. It's not about notebooks but can be used as well.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=38

 

Okay i tried out the ICD7 and not all that good as ive been hearing. Its only running 1-2c cooler than before and that might just be because i air blasted the HSF clean.

Im gonna let it burn in for another few hours, maybe it has a curing time.

 

All pastes have a curing time, despite the advertising.

And Wingnut, tell us how that Shin-Etsu goes.

 

Will do. As soon as my CPU arrives. Should be any day, it cleared customs just this last Thursday (from Canada to US).

 

Maybe a crazy idea but has anyone ever tried or heard of putting the paste on the heatpipe that connects GPU, CPU and fan? Would that make any difference?

Please have in mind that I have never worked with any paste and don't know how this goes... So be gentle if it's too stupid Q...

 

Would be useless at best.

 

So just a 3.5mm bead here?



Why are the CPU's rectangular, shouldn't I run a short line along the length instead like this: