Thermal Compound/Paste, brands, comparisons and how to apply

[Nando]

I did not know exactly where to put this thread but i think is a good idea to discuss and share something about the thermal paste. I have read enough of this topic, and the best known brands are:

IC Diamond
Arctic Cooling MX-2 / MX-4
Arctic Silver 5
Tuniq TX 2 / TX 4 Extreme
COOLER MASTER IceFusion

I found a new one (at least i did not know) that promises to be better than the others, called GC-Extreme Solutions GELID, here are the link to a review: GELID Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound Review - Page 1/5 | techPowerUp.
$13 on Newegg

Also found several videos on YouTube explaining the methods of applying thermal paste, and i want to share with you a couple of them:

How Thermal Compound Spreads

How Thermal Compound Spreads (MX-2 Edition)

Also found some pictures here that show (basically) how to apply the thermal paste on the AW M11x, i think internally is quite similar to M14x

so, if any of you know a method or have any pictures/videos/reviews that you can share i'll be more than interested in seeing them and if they are of the M14x that would be better!


greetings!

[Michael]

good idea! moved the thread to a more fitting forum.
thanks for that info!
btw, how come shin etsu is not in the list?

[StamatisX]

Indeed nice thread, for sure spreading the paste is not the recommended way, those videos posted are very interesting.

[mw86]

Interesting thread, yes no shin-etsu there... also what of the rice sized piece technique? The video here is hard to see and I don't think its the right way but it seems that latex glove may help smotth surface of paste to start with... he seemed to apply to much... but you could wipe the edges away to make sure there wasn't too much.

[unreal25]

I think that's certainly way too much paste. The idea for the paste is to fill the gaps between bumps and holes, not to serve as a passive cooler. :P

OT: Anyone thought it was cool how you get the fractal patterns like here: YouTube - How Thermal Compound Spreads

I wonder why does it look like that.

[mw86]

seems to me certain sections stick different so maybe if the surface is prepped thoroughly with alcohol or something then maybe it would not bead up like that? Yes that guy wanted to spill a entire tube over the cpu lol!

[StamatisX]

Yeah spreading the paste is wrong, the amount varies and only ofter trial and error you can get the best result, plus you need to keep in mind that with temperature the paste will get thinner and cover more area than that shown in the videos.

[iloveb00bs]

my favorite paste is still ocz freeze, super cheap and easy to work with, its pure win for me. also i think thermal pads is super important too, using the premium stuff from frozen cpu, has anyone tried any others?

[svl7]

Yeah, I tried some pads from Phobya, but I didn't like them... they're too hard, the heatsink can't really press them together.

[Nando]

good idea! moved the thread to a more fitting forum.
thanks for that info!
btw, how come shin etsu is not in the list?

MASSCOOL G751 Shin-Etsu Thermal Interface Material $4 in Newegg

Thermal Paste Comparison:
1. Arctic Silver 3
2. Shin Etsu G751
3. Silicone Paste
4. Nanotherm Blue II
5. Nanotherm Silver XTC
6. Nanotherm PCM+
7. Silver Grease