Thermal processor paste

[beekeeper]

Just noticing posts on fans etc, i just wondered what brand of thermal paste folk use on their processors.

I always use Artic Slver, although it is quite expensive is seems very efficient, processors run nicely cool.

What do you use?

BK

[RealBlackStuff]

Arctic Silver 5, sold under the name
Thermaltake Thermal Compound #AS
at Radio Shack

[nikki605]

The same - AS5 that I bought at my local Radio Shack store.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2216879

[jronald]

Several years ago I did some impromptu testing on a slightly over clocked desktop system. My father worked in electronics all of his life and had the cup (literally) of "thermal paste". This container was at least 20 years old, and roughly the size of a can of green beans in the States. It had an almost crumbly texture and the color of aluminum, he told me he used it on voltage regulator heat sinks.

I tried this stuff, a no name brand and artic silver. I even went so far as to lap the heat sink and try the Ceramitque (sp) artic silver compound.

Im my testing from worst to best was only 4 degrees, measured with a non-contact thermometer. On a radical desk top, and perhaps a laptop 4 degrees could make a difference.
In real life, Im not that convinced. On the other hand, I have assembled atleast 100 High Speed fan to CPU combos, I have bearly made a dent in the cup-o-silver stuff. Cost is $0 Artic Silver on the other hand is $10.00

All that aside, when I went into the machine Im using now to install the wireless card...I used Artic Silver, I had it and its not going to hurt anything.

Ron

[Kyocera]

I used Arctic Silver too. Glad to hear thermal paste last's so long because it'll probably be years before I swap another CPU.

From all the material I've read in this forum and others it seems that you can't go wrong with AS it been around a while and seems to work when applied properly. I definately think it's worth paying extra for the stuff, especially now since I know I won't have to buy any more for years.