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Guru3D Thermal Paste Roundup 2019
Posted by: on: 08/23/2019 11:58 AM [
65 comment(s) ]
Thermal paste is an often-overlooked part of most computer setups. You can simply use the pre-applied stuff, or the thermal paste that comes with your motherboard, and still get reasonable processor temps at stock speeds. Thermal paste is a compound that helps to fill the gap between the CPU and a custom cooler.
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SaberJ2X
Senior Member
Posts: 2490
Senior Member
Posts: 2490
Posted on: 08/25/2019 05:12 AM
if the heatsink is aluminum kryonaut, if copper AND YOU ARE REALLY EXPERIENCED conductonaut...
but since you are asking, kryonaut.
not being a snob, but, it's really easy to kill something with it
Is it worth to repaste my RX 5700 reference? If yes, which paste would anyone recommend?
if the heatsink is aluminum kryonaut, if copper AND YOU ARE REALLY EXPERIENCED conductonaut...
but since you are asking, kryonaut.
not being a snob, but, it's really easy to kill something with it
Astyanax
Senior Member
Posts: 3037
Senior Member
Posts: 3037
Posted on: 08/25/2019 08:39 AM
IKR, you can blame Derpbauer for this too because he outright lied about it on a GN video.
It's amazing how many people on tech forums still think thermal compound curing means it's dry and therefore needs to be replaced.
IKR, you can blame Derpbauer for this too because he outright lied about it on a GN video.
Captain_Hook
Member
Posts: 41
Member
Posts: 41
Posted on: 08/25/2019 09:50 AM
Because I am not into having TIM all squeezed around chip or IHS. For area like 300~350mm^2 which is medium sized GPU it is just perfect to use rice sized amount.
No reason to waste, no reason to give yourself trouble cleaning next time you change things around.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Thermal-Paste-Application-Techniques-170/
https://www.pugetsystems.com/pic-disp.php?id=22014&width=601
That's the main reason and also I've seen some other tests which indicate it as one of the most effective methods. I know - sometimes it's a bit more troublesome to clean it, but IPA makes life easier
Thermalright released few months back new TIM ranging from 12.5 W / mk for the TF 6, over 13.8 W / mk for the TF 8 up to 14.3 W / mk for the TFX.
If its possible can you add these TIM to yours tests?
Yes, it's worth considering and adding to the list for the second revision of the roundup
Because I am not into having TIM all squeezed around chip or IHS. For area like 300~350mm^2 which is medium sized GPU it is just perfect to use rice sized amount.
No reason to waste, no reason to give yourself trouble cleaning next time you change things around.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Thermal-Paste-Application-Techniques-170/
https://www.pugetsystems.com/pic-disp.php?id=22014&width=601
That's the main reason and also I've seen some other tests which indicate it as one of the most effective methods. I know - sometimes it's a bit more troublesome to clean it, but IPA makes life easier
Thermalright released few months back new TIM ranging from 12.5 W / mk for the TF 6, over 13.8 W / mk for the TF 8 up to 14.3 W / mk for the TFX.
If its possible can you add these TIM to yours tests?
Yes, it's worth considering and adding to the list for the second revision of the roundup
Fox2232
Senior Member
Posts: 9681
Senior Member
Posts: 9681
Posted on: 08/25/2019 10:19 AM
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Thermal-Paste-Application-Techniques-170/
https://www.pugetsystems.com/pic-disp.php?id=22014&width=601
That's the main reason and also I've seen some other tests which indicate it as one of the most effective methods. I know - sometimes it's a bit more troublesome to clean it, but IPA makes life easier
Sadly, their numbers are inconsistent with results of application they shown. For example bad idea to have just one "rice dot" for entire large IHS ended up by not covering good 20% of IHS, but ended up as 3rd best. (0.5°C behind X which "won".)
On CPU I use 5 dots. One bigger in middle. And four light touches in X shape at around half distance between center and corner. Works similarly to X.
Now, considering that they applied 2x "Rice Dot" too and ended up with similarly bad coverage as with 1/2 of amount, it looks more like issue with way uneven pressure during installation or plexiglass bending.
(Mind that they see how TIM gets to spread as they apply pressure. And decided to tighten screws in way that TIM was not pushed in desired direction... means their conscious actions resulted bad coverage.)
Yes, Having all kinds of wide spread or even full coverage reduces risk of bad heatsink installation squeezing all to one direction. (And always results in bubbles.) But in most cases people put cooling in place and gravity does main slow job of spreading TIM. And often people move it bit here and there as they manipulate locking/screwing which improves coverage. (unless they manage to pull it away which results in bubbles when reapplied.)
- - - -
From their images it looks like they had 2 main issues and both coming from Plexiglass.
1st) pressure
2nd) bending
Plexiglass "heatsink" is screwed down around corners. Which means more pressure is applied more it bends creating cavity dome on top of center of IHS.
Now, this causes serious issue for any kind of application that is based on smaller amount or spread from center of IHS.
That's because bending plexiglass is already touching all 4 corners of IHS and therefore TIM has hard time getting there. And since there is cavity on top of original TIM location, it does not get squeezed outwards properly as with flat metallic IHS. (Basically more they tighten screws, worse it gets.)
In their case I would say that something like having plexiglass just guided by those 4 corner holes and pressure applied by some mounting cross like on GPU, to ensure that force is applied from above of IHS and not from outer sides.
- - - -
That's Why it is best to do test application and remove it again. This enables you to see any weird issues like particular spot on heatsink not being covered due to cavity. And then you can adjust application method based on what you learn.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Thermal-Paste-Application-Techniques-170/
https://www.pugetsystems.com/pic-disp.php?id=22014&width=601
That's the main reason and also I've seen some other tests which indicate it as one of the most effective methods. I know - sometimes it's a bit more troublesome to clean it, but IPA makes life easier
Sadly, their numbers are inconsistent with results of application they shown. For example bad idea to have just one "rice dot" for entire large IHS ended up by not covering good 20% of IHS, but ended up as 3rd best. (0.5°C behind X which "won".)
On CPU I use 5 dots. One bigger in middle. And four light touches in X shape at around half distance between center and corner. Works similarly to X.
Now, considering that they applied 2x "Rice Dot" too and ended up with similarly bad coverage as with 1/2 of amount, it looks more like issue with way uneven pressure during installation or plexiglass bending.
(Mind that they see how TIM gets to spread as they apply pressure. And decided to tighten screws in way that TIM was not pushed in desired direction... means their conscious actions resulted bad coverage.)
Yes, Having all kinds of wide spread or even full coverage reduces risk of bad heatsink installation squeezing all to one direction. (And always results in bubbles.) But in most cases people put cooling in place and gravity does main slow job of spreading TIM. And often people move it bit here and there as they manipulate locking/screwing which improves coverage. (unless they manage to pull it away which results in bubbles when reapplied.)
- - - -
From their images it looks like they had 2 main issues and both coming from Plexiglass.
1st) pressure
2nd) bending
Plexiglass "heatsink" is screwed down around corners. Which means more pressure is applied more it bends creating cavity dome on top of center of IHS.
Now, this causes serious issue for any kind of application that is based on smaller amount or spread from center of IHS.
That's because bending plexiglass is already touching all 4 corners of IHS and therefore TIM has hard time getting there. And since there is cavity on top of original TIM location, it does not get squeezed outwards properly as with flat metallic IHS. (Basically more they tighten screws, worse it gets.)
In their case I would say that something like having plexiglass just guided by those 4 corner holes and pressure applied by some mounting cross like on GPU, to ensure that force is applied from above of IHS and not from outer sides.
- - - -
That's Why it is best to do test application and remove it again. This enables you to see any weird issues like particular spot on heatsink not being covered due to cavity. And then you can adjust application method based on what you learn.
RealNC
Senior Member
Posts: 2985
Senior Member
Posts: 2985
Posted on: 08/25/2019 01:03 PM
I haven't replaced the AS5 on my CPU for like 7 years now. Maybe 8, I don't actually remember anymore. Temps haven't increased. I think it's going to outlive the CPU itself at this point...
I haven't replaced the AS5 on my CPU for like 7 years now. Maybe 8, I don't actually remember anymore. Temps haven't increased. I think it's going to outlive the CPU itself at this point...
Arctucas
Senior Member
Posts: 2057
Senior Member
Posts: 2057
Posted on: 08/25/2019 02:55 PM
Did my own test.
Sig rig, processor delidded, solder replaced with Conductonaut, RockitCool copper IHS, Kryonaut on waterblock, ambient ~71F.
Did my own test.
Sig rig, processor delidded, solder replaced with Conductonaut, RockitCool copper IHS, Kryonaut on waterblock, ambient ~71F.
anxious_f0x
Senior Member
Posts: 1493
Senior Member
Posts: 1493
Posted on: 08/26/2019 12:00 PM
Thanks for the great article Hilbert, will definitely be referencing this with future builds.
Thanks for the great article Hilbert, will definitely be referencing this with future builds.
fantaskarsef
Senior Member
Posts: 10628
Senior Member
Posts: 10628
Posted on: 08/26/2019 12:45 PM
Thanks for the review, was waiting on a proper roundup at some point!
While you put mayonnaise between CPU and cooler, you might as well remove the fans and fry a few slices of salami on the CPU. Just keep it below shutdown temp and all's good.
Thanks for the review, was waiting on a proper roundup at some point!
no toothpaste paste or mayonnaise? SAD.
Would be fun, but is it really useful? 
While you put mayonnaise between CPU and cooler, you might as well remove the fans and fry a few slices of salami on the CPU. Just keep it below shutdown temp and all's good.
icedman
Senior Member
Posts: 897
Senior Member
Posts: 897
Posted on: 08/26/2019 07:47 PM
Very informative thanks for the comparision I know which pastes to stick to, up until now I've always used arctic silver 5.
Very informative thanks for the comparision I know which pastes to stick to, up until now I've always used arctic silver 5.
ladcrooks
Senior Member
Posts: 282
Senior Member
Posts: 282
Posted on: 08/27/2019 07:56 AM
I have the same experience with MX4. After 2 weeks the Temp went up by 10C, and it looked all watery.
I'll stick to Noctua NT-H1 on my CPU and GPU like i have been doing for the past 10 years. It doesn't dry out either. I recently applied new paste after 2 years and the temps were the same.
' Ditto ' Noctua paste and heat sinks have served me well. I'll stick with what i know .
I have the same experience with MX4. After 2 weeks the Temp went up by 10C, and it looked all watery.
I'll stick to Noctua NT-H1 on my CPU and GPU like i have been doing for the past 10 years. It doesn't dry out either. I recently applied new paste after 2 years and the temps were the same.
' Ditto ' Noctua paste and heat sinks have served me well. I'll stick with what i know .
The Goose
Senior Member
Posts: 2236
Senior Member
Posts: 2236
Posted on: 08/29/2019 01:34 PM
Im using Noctua`s nt-h2 on my I7 7700k(delidded) at the moment and i`d say its on Parr with my previous Thermal grizzly hydro and cryonaught but given that h2 is 3.5g compared to the other 2 which you can get in 5.5g tubes for a similar price but get the same results i`d say if your curious...try it but there is little to gain.
It may be worth pointing out that my first application i used a line but was not happy with the temps so tried a grain of rice size with idle temps 3-4 degree`s lower after a cuple of hours gaming.
Im using Noctua`s nt-h2 on my I7 7700k(delidded) at the moment and i`d say its on Parr with my previous Thermal grizzly hydro and cryonaught but given that h2 is 3.5g compared to the other 2 which you can get in 5.5g tubes for a similar price but get the same results i`d say if your curious...try it but there is little to gain.
It may be worth pointing out that my first application i used a line but was not happy with the temps so tried a grain of rice size with idle temps 3-4 degree`s lower after a cuple of hours gaming.
Radical_53
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Senior Member
Posts: 3824
Posted on: 09/01/2019 08:11 PM
Very nice review. What I'd like to see is a closer monitoring of room temperature and perhaps a multi-time application to get a shootout of the better pastes.
From my own experience, room temperature fluctuates quite a lot while testing, so it's rather hard to find small differences without it as part of the equation.
Very nice review. What I'd like to see is a closer monitoring of room temperature and perhaps a multi-time application to get a shootout of the better pastes.
From my own experience, room temperature fluctuates quite a lot while testing, so it's rather hard to find small differences without it as part of the equation.
The Goose
Senior Member
Posts: 2236
Senior Member
Posts: 2236
Posted on: 09/05/2019 04:39 AM
Trying the Noctua`s nt-h2 on my Evga gtx 1080ftw and temps have gone up 3 degrees from the stock paste...got more Kryonaut on order, cant say im impressed with the H2 at all, i spent an hour on the division 2 and max temp went up 10c to 82c but after another hour idle dropped from 44c to 37c, H2 supposedly needs no burn in time but i think it does need time to spread itself
Trying the Noctua`s nt-h2 on my Evga gtx 1080ftw and temps have gone up 3 degrees from the stock paste...got more Kryonaut on order, cant say im impressed with the H2 at all, i spent an hour on the division 2 and max temp went up 10c to 82c but after another hour idle dropped from 44c to 37c, H2 supposedly needs no burn in time but i think it does need time to spread itself
boombastik
Senior Member
Posts: 245
Senior Member
Posts: 245
Posted on: 09/08/2019 06:10 PM
The only non conductive and non capacitive paste that dont fail (pump out effect) in bare die application paste with gpu heatsink is the mediocore arctic ceramique 2. I find zero degration if you dont open the heatsink. Good lack with other silicon pastes that need replace every three months.
Mx4 in bare die applications with gpus like gtx980 and rx580 last 8 days not 8 years. When i open is only water and no paste.
For thermal pad replacement i use the greek product k5 pro with good results and no degration as well.
The only non conductive and non capacitive paste that dont fail (pump out effect) in bare die application paste with gpu heatsink is the mediocore arctic ceramique 2. I find zero degration if you dont open the heatsink. Good lack with other silicon pastes that need replace every three months.
Mx4 in bare die applications with gpus like gtx980 and rx580 last 8 days not 8 years. When i open is only water and no paste.
For thermal pad replacement i use the greek product k5 pro with good results and no degration as well.
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Senior Member
Posts: 1959
Is it worth to repaste my RX 5700 reference? If yes, which paste would anyone recommend?