Need help deciding on a Thermal Paste

[Drake10114]

I do apologize if this is in the wrong section, couldn't find the appropriate sub-forum to post this under; but since I'm using an air cooler for my cpu and it goes with coolers, figure'd it would probably go here?

Anyways, as the title suggests I've run into requiring some help for the purchasing of thermal paste. Currently I'm eyeing up IC Diamond 7 carat (mainly due to the good things I've heard from reviews,etc.) and also Arctic MX-4, (again, due to the positive reviews about it). Question is: Is there a drastic difference between the 2, to warrant 1 over the other. From what I can tell, IC Diamond is thicker and has the potential to be abrassive on the cpu when removing. Since I've yet to build it, and haven't purchased anything yet, I wanna make sure I'm not getting something bad, but also something that was tested/reviewed, and hear from users of the product.

I can try to explain more or give my the specs of the PC that I'm building if people request it.

 

[Altecice]

I would go for IC Diamond, my only suggestion to you would be to place the tube in some hot water for a good 10 mins before applying it to the CPU to help lessen viscosity. You will also get the added benefit of no "burn in" time. It will perform instantly at its best vs MX-4 that takes many heat cycles to reach optimum cooling performance. 

[thenastyjbenny]

4 minutes ago, Drake10114 said:

I do apologize if this is in the wrong section, couldn't find the appropriate sub-forum to post this under; but since I'm using an air cooler for my cpu and it goes with coolers, figure'd it would probably go here?

Anyways, as the title suggests I've run into requiring some help for the purchasing of thermal paste. Currently I'm eyeing up IC Diamond 7 carat (mainly due to the good things I've heard from reviews,etc.) and also Arctic MX-4, (again, due to the positive reviews about it). Question is: Is there a drastic difference between the 2, to warrant 1 over the other. From what I can tell, IC Diamond is thicker and has the potential to be abrassive on the cpu when removing. Since I've yet to build it, and haven't purchased anything yet, I wanna make sure I'm not getting something bad, but also something that was tested/reviewed, and hear from users of the product.

I can try to explain more or give my the specs of the PC that I'm building if people request it.

 

There are some enthusiasts that will give you definite opinions on why one paste is better than another. I think, if it cools within 1C between everything else, and it won't ruin your CPU or Mobo by sticking to it, it should be fine. I use Cryorig CP7 myself, and I really like it. Keeps everything cool. However, if you want to get the most out of your paste, go for the more expensive stuff. Don't expect a massive increase in performance based on the paste you buy.

[Mooshi]

What's the cooler you're working with? Sometimes all you need is the stuff it came with depending. 

[KeFy]

tbh i have used borth premium and dirt cheap thermal paste and i dont notice a difference 

[Drake10114]

9 minutes ago, JR8 said:

There are some enthusiasts that will give you definite opinions on why one paste is better than another. I think, if it cools within 1C between everything else, and it won't ruin your CPU or Mobo by sticking to it, it should be fine. I use Cryorig CP7 myself, and I really like it. Keeps everything cool. However, if you want to get the most out of your paste, go for the more expensive stuff. Don't expect a massive increase in performance based on the paste you buy.

Thanks, I figured that out on the performance aspect, never actually knew diamonds are more thermal conductive than silver.

[knightslugger]

either is fine. I use Arctic Silver 5, because it's works.

[Senzelian]

7 minutes ago, Drake10114 said:

I do apologize if this is in the wrong section, couldn't find the appropriate sub-forum to post this under; but since I'm using an air cooler for my cpu and it goes with coolers, figure'd it would probably go here?

Anyways, as the title suggests I've run into requiring some help for the purchasing of thermal paste. Currently I'm eyeing up IC Diamond 7 carat (mainly due to the good things I've heard from reviews,etc.) and also Arctic MX-4, (again, due to the positive reviews about it). Question is: Is there a drastic difference between the 2, to warrant 1 over the other. From what I can tell, IC Diamond is thicker and has the potential to be abrassive on the cpu when removing. Since I've yet to build it, and haven't purchased anything yet, I wanna make sure I'm not getting something bad, but also something that was tested/reviewed, and hear from users of the product.

I can try to explain more or give my the specs of the PC that I'm building if people request it.

 

http://www2.pic-upload.de/img/30166149/Unbenannt.png

 

This picture is no joke. There is hardly any difference between thermal pastes.
I would simply buy whatever is the cheapest stuff you can find.
I usually use MX-4 tho.

[Drake10114]

9 minutes ago, Mooshi said:

What's the cooler you're working with? Sometimes all you need is the stuff it came with depending. 

Hyper 212X, was going to go w/ a EVO, but saw some reviews saying if your buying new, the x is slightly better

[Drake10114]

12 minutes ago, Altecice said:

I would go for IC Diamond, my only suggestion to you would be to place the tube in some hot water for a good 10 mins before applying it to the CPU to help lessen viscosity. You will also get the added benefit on no "burn in" time. It will perform instantly at its best vs MX-4 that takes many heat cycles to reach optimum cooling performance. 

That's what I've heard, and never thought about heating the tube up to lower the viscosity of it.

[Oshino Shinobu]

Go for anything, really. The differences between the best and worst (excluding liquid metal) TIM is only a few degrees. I personally use MX-4 because I got a load of it for cheap. 

[Drake10114]

13 minutes ago, Senzelian said:

http://www2.pic-upload.de/img/30166149/Unbenannt.png

 

This picture is no joke. There is hardly any difference between thermal pastes.
I would simply buy whatever is the cheapest stuff you can find.
I usually use MX-4 tho.

That's actually interesting to see, but how come does Linus prefers IC Diamond over other pastes, if they are similar in performance?

[Mooshi]

1 minute ago, Drake10114 said:

Hyper 212X, was going to go w/ a EVO, but saw some reviews saying if your buying new, the x is slightly better

Default paste should be fine. All aftermarket TIM performs on par with each other within a few degrees. I'm using the paste that came with Cryorig cooler and it's on par with the paste I had from an old Noctua cooler. 

 

The only product to show a dramatic difference is Indigo Extreme and I'm not sure they still make that. Its a special pad you place on your cooler and costs like $20 for 3 applications. 

[Senzelian]

2 minutes ago, Drake10114 said:

That's actually interesting to see, but how come Linus prefers IC Diamond over other pastes, if they are similar in performance?

I'm not Linus, so I can't answer that for you.
How come I prefer MX-4 ? Well, there is no reason. It's just the first thing I got my hands on.

[Drake10114]

10 minutes ago, Mooshi said:

Default paste should be fine. All aftermarket TIM performs on par with each other within a few degrees. I'm using the paste that came with Cryorig cooler and it's on par with the paste I had from an old Noctua cooler. 

 

The only product to show a dramatic difference is Indigo Extreme and I'm not sure they still make that. Its a special pad you place on your cooler and costs like $20 for 3 applications. 

Okay, thanks for the advice. Quite helpful.

[Drake10114]

9 minutes ago, Senzelian said:

I'm not Linus, so I can't answer that for you.
How come I prefer MX-4 ? Well, there is no reason. It's just the first thing I got my hands on.

Makes sense, I was leaning to that for the price and supposedly easy application (due to it being my first PC build), figure'd easy to apply would be the way to go, but seeing IC Diamond being applied, I can't seeing it being much easier to apply.