Thermal paste ?

OldBuzzard · Jan 25, 2011, 03:45 PM

OK, I'll be ordering the last parts for my new build shortly, and I'm not sure what TIM to use.

I'm looking at these two:
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Arctic Cooling MX-4 AC-MX4 All-Around Thermal Compound
Newegg.com - ZALMAN ZM - STG1 Thermal Compound

Both seem to get good reviews.

I'm kinda leaning towards the STG-1 for the ease of application.

I'd like to hear from those of you that have used either or both of them giving your thoughts.

Judas · Jan 25, 2011, 03:52 PM

i'd say artic cooling one...

i'm still a fan of the ceramique though too.... specially for use on video cards.

Sihastru · Jan 25, 2011, 05:32 PM

Yeah, long time Ceramique user here too, but I think MX-2 would be a good alternative to MX-4, especially when you buy it in the larger container, the 30g one. Non conductive, easy enough to clean.

The Zalman one is a bit like 'meh' for me.

mcdragon2 · Jan 25, 2011, 05:36 PM

I thought the mx-4 applied just fine

Takaharu · Jan 25, 2011, 11:55 PM

Really high temps - MX-4.
Modest over-clocking or just want a decent performance - Arctic Silver.

**synthesis204** · Jan 26, 2011, 01:35 AM

My vote is for Shin Etsu.

Of those two, though, I'd go with the MX4.

atiman · Feb 6, 2011, 01:44 AM

hi oldbuzzard
for info,i change mine lately with a mx-3 on stock cooler and the temp reading is 33 c.and max 50 c. on load.

Tipstaff · Feb 6, 2011, 08:15 PM

Long time AS5 and Noctua NT-H1 user here. More for the price than anything. I recently got a hold of some Gelid GC-Extreme (for free), and man.. I love this stuff. At first I scoffed at the claimed temps on their site, but that changed once I used it. I didn't see the huge temp drops, but they were even lower over what was already installed, that being the aforementioned NT-H1.

Only downside is the price. AS5 is around $5, NT-H1 $10, while the Gelid GC Extreme expensive in comparison at $13-14, so I still use the others for clients as it's cheaper, but for my personal stuff I use the Gelid GC Extreme (I buy it whenever it comes on sale). I'm worth more than they are. LOL!

***Veridian3*** · Feb 6, 2011, 08:17 PM

From those two, MX-4 all the time.

Dyre Straits · Feb 8, 2011, 09:28 AM

FWIW, I've been using for a few years now something from MG Chemicals: Silicone Heat Transfer Compound. It was highly recommended by a tech at Micro Center. This stuff NEVER dries out! I've probably had this one small bottle/jar for maybe 4 years or so.

It works great and is easy to clean up when pulling and installing heatsinks.

Silicone Heat Transfer Compound

Dybdal · Feb 8, 2011, 10:11 AM

I have used MX-2 for a long time and i like it

I would recommend the mx-4 on that

Jan 25, 2011, 03:45 PM	#1
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Thermal paste ? OK, I'll be ordering the last parts for my new build shortly, and I'm not sure what TIM to use. I'm looking at these two: Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Arctic Cooling MX-4 AC-MX4 All-Around Thermal Compound Newegg.com - ZALMAN ZM - STG1 Thermal Compound Both seem to get good reviews. I'm kinda leaning towards the STG-1 for the ease of application. I'd like to hear from those of you that have used either or both of them giving your thoughts. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Jan 25, 2011, 05:32 PM	#3
Sihastru Never been clicked Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 433 Rep Power: 45 System Specs	Re: Thermal paste ? Yeah, long time Ceramique user here too, but I think MX-2 would be a good alternative to MX-4, especially when you buy it in the larger container, the 30g one. Non conductive, easy enough to clean. The Zalman one is a bit like 'meh' for me. __________________ There are more things in heaven and earth then are dreamt of in your philosophy. Intel Core i7 3820 \| Corsair H80 \| Asus P9X79 \| Kingston HyperX T1 Black 32GB DDR3 \| Gigabyte 8800 GTS 512 \| 2xIntel X25-M 160GB RAID0 + 2xWD 1TB Green RAID1 \| Asus Xonar DX \| Asus ES2-750 \| Sony OptiArc DVD+/-RW \| Corsair AX850 Gold \| Fractal Design Define R3 Titanium \| Dell 3007WFP-HC2 30" 2560x1600 \| Corsair SP2500 \| Logitech UltraX Premium \| CM Storm Advance \| Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64bit

Jan 25, 2011, 05:36 PM	#4
mcdragon2 HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: West, OH Posts: 252 Rep Power: 17 System Specs	Re: Thermal paste ? I thought the mx-4 applied just fine

Jan 25, 2011, 11:55 PM	#5
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,849 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Re: Thermal paste ? Really high temps - MX-4. Modest over-clocking or just want a decent performance - Arctic Silver. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Jan 26, 2011, 01:35 AM	#6
synthesis204 Dragonborn Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,175 Rep Power: 97 System Specs	Re: Thermal paste ? My vote is for Shin Etsu. Of those two, though, I'd go with the MX4. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure alzheimers, ALS, huntington's, parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Feb 6, 2011, 01:44 AM	#7
atiman HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: canada Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Thermal paste ? hi oldbuzzard for info,i change mine lately with a mx-3 on stock cooler and the temp reading is 33 c.and max 50 c. on load.

Feb 6, 2011, 08:15 PM	#8
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Re: Thermal paste ? Long time AS5 and Noctua NT-H1 user here. More for the price than anything. I recently got a hold of some Gelid GC-Extreme (for free), and man.. I love this stuff. At first I scoffed at the claimed temps on their site, but that changed once I used it. I didn't see the huge temp drops, but they were even lower over what was already installed, that being the aforementioned NT-H1. Only downside is the price. AS5 is around $5, NT-H1 $10, while the Gelid GC Extreme expensive in comparison at $13-14, so I still use the others for clients as it's cheaper, but for my personal stuff I use the Gelid GC Extreme (I buy it whenever it comes on sale). I'm worth more than they are. LOL! __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Feb 6, 2011, 08:17 PM	#9
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 181	Re: Thermal paste ? From those two, MX-4 all the time.

Feb 8, 2011, 10:11 AM	#11
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Thermal paste ? I have used MX-2 for a long time and i like it I would recommend the mx-4 on that __________________ Im a Danish hardwareheaven addict. Best stable overclock done: