Thermal compound

[Mondas42]

Hi,

 

Does the expensive thermal compound make a discernible difference of is it marketing hype?

 

Martin.

[DailyProcrastinator]

2 minutes ago, Mondas42 said:

Does the expensive thermal compound make a discernible difference of is it marketing hype?

Pretty well just marketing. Unless it's liquid metal, but for standard thermal compound it does not make to much of a difference in thermals, although I sometimes question longevity of pre-applied solutions. 

[Enderman]

No not really, just get a good quality one from a good brand like MX-4 or NT-H1 or whatever because you don't want cheap stuff that will dry out.

[Parideboy]

There is a difference, but it depends on the use cases. Premium TIM has better W/(m*K), not enough to make a difference if used between a cooler and a IHS.

 

In other uses, such as direct die application, it will make a couple of degrees difference.

 

Another factor is cost. Where I live, Hydronaut is about 2/3$ more expensive then MX-4.

 

 

[Yashiees]

1 hour ago, Parideboy said:

There is a difference, but it depends on the use cases. Premium TIM has better W/(m*K), not enough to make a difference if used between a cooler and a IHS.

 

In other uses, such as direct die application, it will make a couple of degrees difference.

 

Another factor is cost. Where I live, Hydronaut is about 2/3$ more expensive then MX-4.

 

 

Whats a really good thermal compound? Thats actually cheap.

[Parideboy]

4 minutes ago, Yashiees said:

Whats a really good thermal compound? Thats actually cheap.

I wouldn't go with anything other than MX-4 or NT-H1 on the cheap side

[Demonic Donut]

1 hour ago, Yashiees said:

Whats a really good thermal compound? Thats actually cheap.

I use Noctua H2 and it's been great. Lasts a long time and works well.

 

If you go with any common, name brand thermal paste you are looking at a max difference of 1 or 2 degrees.