The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Best thermal compound for the M860TU CPU and GPU

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by kevindd992002, Mar 7, 2009.

  1. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    2,299
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    What is the best thermal compound/grease you guys can recommend using for the CPU and GPU of the M860TU?

    Is Artic Cooling MX-2 better than Artic Silver 5?
     
  2. GanGstaOne

    GanGstaOne Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    182
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yes i have used both and MX-2 keep temps with 2-5 deg. lower MX-2 is much newer than AS5
     
  3. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    2,299
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    thanks for that gansta!
     
  4. GanGstaOne

    GanGstaOne Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    182
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    no problem its very good for the GPU much better than original
     
  5. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    2,299
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Did you apply the thermal paste by spreading it? Or just leaving a blob and the putting back the heatsink?

    I'm not sure which is a better method.
     
  6. GanGstaOne

    GanGstaOne Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    182
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    you have to spreading its much better on both sides on the chip and heatsink
     
  7. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    2,299
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    both with thin layers only? based on the documentation I've read, it is only needed in the chip itself? is that reliable info?
     
  8. GanGstaOne

    GanGstaOne Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    182
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yes but i set it on both sides and i never have bad result very thin layer on chip and heatsink it has better connection this way
     
  9. 5482741

    5482741 5482741

    Reputations:
    712
    Messages:
    1,530
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I applied Arctic Cooling MX-2 to my M860TU as well.
     
  10. zfactor

    zfactor Mastershake

    Reputations:
    2,894
    Messages:
    11,134
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    455
    mx-2 is the way to go. and imo you dont need it on the heatsink. just apply a somewhat thin layer to the cpu die. mx-2 will almost spread itself its not nearly as thick as as5 is. and with mx-2 its okay if it oozes over the edge because it can do not harm do any contacts or anything. its not likely but as5 *could* cause a short due to its slight conductiveness
     
  11. Crave8891

    Crave8891 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    So Mx-2 is the best TC you'd recommend.
    I'll have to order some from newegg (Or else where if I can find it cheaper)
    Cause Best Buy only carries some cheap crud >.>
    You guys say it offers a 2-5 reduction in temps?

    Finally broke 10k in 3dmark06 and my temp is a tad higher than I want it to be :3.
    It's been years since I've bought thermal and AS5 was the best back then.
     
  12. GanGstaOne

    GanGstaOne Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    182
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yes crave the MX-2 is much better then AS5
    AS5 have metal in it MX-2 dosnt
    AS5 is drying in time MX-2 dosnt
     
  13. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    2,299
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Are the OCZ and Zalman thermal compounds in par with the AC MX2?
     
  14. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

    Reputations:
    2,420
    Messages:
    2,676
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Another great alternative is Noctua NT-H1. Works very well on my QX9300.
     
  15. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    2,299
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    How much for the price difference of these thermal compounds?
     
  16. emike09

    emike09 Overclocking Champion

    Reputations:
    652
    Messages:
    1,840
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I've tried many a paste, and OCZ Freeze tops them all in my testing. Easiest to apply / remove, best thermal conductivity, non-metallic, overall far better than AS5. MX2 is also great, but I will have to lean toward OCZ Freeze as my top choice.
     
  17. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    233
    Messages:
    2,299
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    ahh. how better in terms of temps is the OCZ over the MX2?
     
  18. emike09

    emike09 Overclocking Champion

    Reputations:
    652
    Messages:
    1,840
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    it was like 1C on the max better. I just like working with the stuff better too. Good spread.
     
  19. link1313

    link1313 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    596
    Messages:
    3,470
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I wish I could apply a good thermal compound onto my CPU/GPU. Except one of my screw heads is destroyed so I can't get to the CPU or GPU.
     
  20. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    2,389
    Messages:
    10,552
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    All those mentioned above are good... OCZ, Noctua, MX2. Really the max difference btw those and AS5 will be like 1-3 degrees (which is well within the margin of error - and really, the accuracy of those thermistors are questionable), just get the cheapest and easiest to obtain...
     
  21. emike09

    emike09 Overclocking Champion

    Reputations:
    652
    Messages:
    1,840
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Disagree. Cheap paste is messy, does not cool well, can leak or seize, can be conductive, and will be more of a headache than its worth. Spend the extra $2-3 to get a good paste. Newegg always has everything in stock.
     
  22. nIMrOD888

    nIMrOD888 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    This is were you use a drill >_>

    I second the OCZ Freeze, using it both my laptops now.