thermal compound/grease/paste recommendations

[okron1k]

hey there peoples. i am looking to get some new thermal compound and i was wondering what most of you use?

i'm looking for ease of application/removal as well as good performance.

right now i have the grease that came with my zalman cnps-9700 but i don't like how it is applied and i believe i may have a bit too much on there.

i'd like something that doesn't have to be applied like nail polish with a brush. just something that i can squeeze on a little bit and let the cooler spread it out.

also what can i use that i may find around my house to remove the old stuff?


TIA

-kr0n

[screwballl]

Arctic Silver 5 or ceramique is the suggested paste across most of the tech community

[Reloadron]

+1 Arctic Silver

Using a good thermal compound like AS5 all you need is a tiny bit. A good reference is about the size of a grain of rice in the center of the CPU. It will spread when the HSF assembly is put in place and tightened.

Despite numerous removal solutions good old (and cheap) 99% Isopropanol Alcohol works fine. Coffee filters are popular for cleaning use as they are lint free, as are fabric softner sheets used in dryers.

Ron

[okron1k]

you think i could use a dab of vodka instead of isopropanol?? :P

[gvblake22]

I've gotten best results with Arctic Silver 5, Arctic Silver Ceramique, or Arctic Cooling MX-2. You can read my review of MX-2 compared to Ceramique and find that the two are very similar in terms of performance. Here is a good guide to check out on how thermal paste works and the best ways to apply it. Just make sure you stay away from thermal adhesive! It is exactly what it sounds like, an adhesive that bonds the two surfaces together (which is not something you want to do with a processor and its heatsink/fan. Thermal Adhesive is used for small memory chips or similar hot components that do not have any mounting holes in which to fasten a heatsink to the chip.

I would not use Vodka or any other liquor to clean a heatsink or processor. Those substances are not pure and will leave behind residue or short out your component if some is left behind because it doesn't evaporate very fast compared to 99% isopropyl alcohol. Vodka might taste strong, but it's not good for cleaning heatsinks and processors! Use only isopropyl alcohol or Arctic Silver's ArctiClean substance for cleaning the surfaces!

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by okron1k

you think i could use a dab of vodka instead of isopropanol?? :P

I think everclear would work a bit better...

but usually the isopropyl alcohol is suggested because it evaporates quickly without leaving a residue.

[Parker]

+1 for AC MX-2

Awesome stuff man!

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

AC-5 with free shipping
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - 3.5 gram Tube

Personally I spread a super thin layer over the entire CPU Surface with a razon blade ... like all the way to the very edge of the IHS flat surface.

I also spread a super thin layer on my Heatsink so when the surfaces mate ... they mate perfectly.

Even if their are areas of coverage not mated around the CPU [due to Heastink or IHS being larger] ... that extra AC-5 still conducts heat away from the CPU.

[halutzparilla]

+1 Artic Cooling MX 2

i've been using it and i've seen result that can compare to AC5 if not better...
i bought mine here:

Petra's Tech Shop

[Capper]

either Arctic Silver Ceramique or Arcitc Cooling MX-2