Question about Non-AS5 Thermal Grease

[Phoenix64d]

Does the generic white stuff need time to cure? Im asking because I recently resintalled my cooler, as I thought my temps were a little high (I am OC limited due to heat right now). I was getting idling at 46-47C earlier. Now I am at 43. I just want to know whether I should back off of the voltage for a while...

[jdrom17]

No idea, that generic white stuff is garbage though :p

Replace it with some Arctic Cooling MX-2 ASAP.

[BAM!]

to my experience, it seems most thermal compound's performance degrades slightly over time. 1-3 degrees sounds about right.

[Phoenix64d]

No idea, that generic white stuff is garbage though

Replace it with some Arctic Cooling MX-2 ASAP.

The generic stuff may not perform as well (judging from benchmarks I'm seeing), but I read that you will lower your temps by a *max* of 5C using AS5. Plus, there is always the issue that shipping costs more than the tube, and the comp stores always rob you :p . Probably aint worth that 50-100mhz I *might* get by using it.


to my experience, it seems most thermal compound's performance degrades slightly over time. 1-3 degrees sounds about right

I was saying that it strangely IMPROVED over the course of a day. Was wonderin' why...

[VanillaTbone]

I personally use Antec Formula 5, but if your going to use anything else just go for a tube of Arctic Sliver Ceramique (http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique.htm). The Ceramique doesn't harden as fast and the thermal transfer seems to last longer over time when getting towards the breakdown period.

Just want to let you know that you have to watch out for others that are the same also.. Look below for a fine example...

Arctic Silver 5 states; "uses three unique shapes and sizes of 99.9% pure silver particles to maximize particle-to-particle contact area and thermal transfer."

OCZ Ultra 5+ states; "uses three unique shapes and sizes of pure silver particles to maximize particle-to-particle contact area and thermal transfer."

Hope that answers your question.

Another thing, make sure you do not put too much on the heatsink or CPU... Make sure all surfaces are cleaned with alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Oil from your hands and fingers is not good.....

[Dizzious]

I was saying that it strangely IMPROVED over the course of a day. Was wonderin' why...

That's probably the thermal grease curing. As it heats up, the silicone grease in it becomes more liquidy / less viscous and flows into the smaller crevices on the surface of the hsf & cpu, and also due to the pressure exerted by the heatsink mountings, it gets pressed into a thinner layer than it was right when you mounted the thing.

[Phoenix64d]

Arctic Silver 5 states; "uses three unique shapes and sizes of 99.9% pure silver particles to maximize particle-to-particle contact area and thermal transfer."

OCZ Ultra 5+ states; "uses three unique shapes and sizes of pure silver particles to maximize particle-to-particle contact area and thermal transfer.

Hummm...that's weird. I wonder why they require they strange pattern.

Another thing, make sure you do not put too much on the heatsink or CPU... Make sure all surfaces are cleaned with alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Oil from your hands and fingers is not good....

I use a little dot of goop, and spread it out with a piece of scrap paper or something. I also read that it is good to put a single streak of thermal grease down the middle of your CPU (using two pieces of scotch tape)...I don't know if it matters, but I figure a little can't hurt :)

That's probably the thermal grease curing. As it heats up, the silicone grease in it becomes more liquidy / less viscous and flows into the smaller crevices on the surface of the hsf & cpu, and also due to the pressure exerted by the heatsink mountings, it gets pressed into a thinner layer than it was right when you mounted the thing.

A-ha, so that's what it was...