Should I change my thermal compound?

[Gig-O-Ram]

I was originally going to ask a somewhat different question - Are there any better HSF's than my Big Typhoon? - but then I thought to do a little research first, and I came across the great article on the front page about the many different thermal compounds out there.

When I lived in California, my CPU idle temps (using AS5) always stayed in the low 30s, but after moving to New Mexico, I noticed an increase in idle temps that I, and some others, thought might be related to the higher altitude.

After reading that piece about the thermal compounds, I'm now wondering if I should simply change the TIM, instead of a possible higher cost of replacing my beloved Big Typhoon. And since the s939 platform is all but done, and other HSF's for it might not be as good, is the reason why I thought about the TIM. After reading the article, I'm thinking the IC Diamond 7 Carat or the OCZ FreeZe might be good choices.

Any thoughts?

[gvblake22]

If your looking for a significant change in temperature, you'll need to look into a bigger/better heatsink. Changing the TIM will rarely (if ever) yield more than a few degrees change (unless the stuff you were using before was terrible). But a heatsink that is going to outperform the Big Typhoon is going to cost you a good chunk of change, especially compared to the cost of thermal compound.

My suggestion would be to figure out a way to lower your temps with your current setup. Maybe try a different fan on the heatsink, or changing the airflow orientation of the case fans and see what happens. You could also try adding in a fan where there is an open spot or cutting an extra fan hole or vent in the case.

[screwballl]

I noticed a drop going from AS5 to ICD7 but it was only around 5ºC average... this is about as good as it will get unless you are able to keep the interior temperature of the house cooler. That or switching to WC or phase change cooling.

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

The ICD 7 and the OCZ Freeze are excellent choices.

I noticed 3 degrees difference between AC5 and ICD 7 with my big Typhoon.

The Big Typhoon is a great Heatsink.

I have the Zerotherm Nirvana ... a Big Typhoon ... a Custom treated Gemini 2 ... two direct touch Vendettas w/92mm Fan ... some Rosewill HSF mediocre pos ...

The Nirvana is superior ... but again only 2-3 degrees at roughly the same noise level.

I could see you getting perhaps 3 degrees improvement with one of the two Tims above ... and perhaps yet another 2-3 degrees with a Nirvana ... and maybe 3-4 degrees with one of the following Coolers below

Newegg.com - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
Newegg.com - HDT-RS1283 120mm CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
Newegg.com - KINGWIN Revolution RVT-12025 120mm H.D.T. CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
Newegg.com - XIGMATEK HDT-D1264 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

Save your HSF Intel mounts.

If you find free shipping on ICD-7 or OCZ Freeze ... let me know [If total cost is below $7]

I have a new tube of OCZ Freeze in tomorrow ... but am out of ICD-7

Heck ... with a perfect lapping and pure focus on detail ... I bet you could trim 7-11 degrees off your Typhoon with AC5 ... using one of the direct touch HSF above with either Tims mentioned.

[I typically get yet another 2 degrees with a lapping job on CPU and HSF.]

[Gig-O-Ram]

Right now, even with the AC running in the room, my temps (with not too much going on in the system) are 36-38°C, where under the same conditions in California it would be more like 33-34°C. And back in Cali, normal load temps never went over 38. Fortunately, loaded temps now still never go much over 38, maybe as high as 41° sometimes.

I just recently cleaned out my system of dust-bunnies, and that helped a little bit, but I would still like to see lower temps.

I've thought about putting a hole into the side over the HSF, but I'm not sure. I have an AC Ryan fan on the BT right now (because it has lights and looks cool), and the stock BT fan is situated in a standing postion under my video card to help in that area - though I've never been sure how much it actually helps. I suppose I could try putting the BT fan back onto the HS and see if there's a difference, since I think that fan has more CFM than the ACR fan.

And I guess I wasn't sure that HSF's for a 939 platform were still made that might best a BT, but the ones you list cost less than the BT did. Maybe they'd be worth a shot, in addition to trying another compound.

[drew and not u]

I really like the Tuniq TX-2. Paul turned me on to it and I love it. Super easy application, no conductivity, excellent thermal performance, no break-in, doesn't cake up after extended use. All around a great TIM.

[Capper]

Our Thermal Paste roundup saw 5 different compounds really stand out from the crowd......ICD7, OCZ Freeze, Arctic Cooling MX-2, Tuniq TX-2, and Shin Etsu G-751

http://www.hardwarelogic.com/news/13...008-03-03.html

any one of those compounds would work fine....just make sure to clean the heat sink and processor IHS really well....and clean the fan and fan blades with some compressed air.

switching to a newer cooler MAY make a slight difference 5C or so, but to be honest, that cooler is outstanding.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Capper

Our Thermal Paste roundup saw 5 different compounds really stand out from the crowd......ICD7, OCZ Freeze, Arctic Cooling MX-2, Tuniq TX-2, and Shin Etsu G-751

http://www.hardwarelogic.com/news/13...008-03-03.html

any one of those compounds would work fine....just make sure to clean the heat sink and processor IHS really well....and clean the fan and fan blades with some compressed air.

switching to a newer cooler MAY make a slight difference 5C or so, but to be honest, that cooler is outstanding.

Yep - that's the article I read. It's what got me to wondering if I could get better temp results if I just changed the compound I'm using. No matter if I'm getting higher than desired temps (which might just be me picking nits), my BT has always been a strong performer under a constant OC'd condition, and I really would like to keep it in the system. The article states that while effective, AS5 might not be as good as some of the newer compounds, so that's why I brought this up.

[Capper]

It wouldn't hurt to try.....make sure you clean everything up really good with at least 90% isopropyl alcohol.

The good thing about all of those compounds are that they are all non-conductive and have zero cure time.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Capper

It wouldn't hurt to try.....make sure you clean everything up really good with at least 90% isopropyl alcohol.

The good thing about all of those compounds are that they are all non-conductive and have zero cure time.

I have 91% alcohol that I've always used for cleaning whenever I've done anything like this. I've noticed though, that there is always some very minor residue left behind after I remove the stuff. I know that people have recommended using coffee filters to wipe the compound off, but until recently have never had any around. I've always used paper towels and then a plastic food storage bag to make sure the surfaces are as clean as possible. I know paper towels probably aren't the best thing to use, but it's what's here.

Is there a better way to make sure that ALL of the old compound is removed?