INTRODUCTION

Hi LYN!

Always been headache about which thermal paste you should buy? Worry not! This review is here to rescue you and it is certified to be over 9000% more effective than taking panadols

In this review, i will be comparing the commonly found thermal pastes from our friendly garage sales and our IT stores. There will be 5 candidates for this test and they are Arctic Cooling MX-2, Arctic Silver 5, Tuniq TX-2, Gelid GC1, Ocz Freeze

APA ITU THERMAL PASTE? BOLEH MAKAN KA?



Ok, since now u know that its not something to be eaten already (altho they didnt say cannot eat lol) then i guess we shall not waste more time and lets move on to the introduction pictah for each of the thermal paste


CANDIDATES

OK, here we go.... ini lah candidate number one



AIKSS....posted wrong pictah

btw, here is our candidate number one again




This is the famous Arctic Cooling MX-2. It comes in a 4 grams package and is said to be better than the Arctic Silver 5 by 2c according to the box.



Next up is the Arctic Silver 5. This TIM is said to be showing the best results when its has already cured (200 hours ) and used for super low temp extreme benching . As for this tube, there will be no box cos i borrowed it from someone. He bought it from US and its the 12 grams version. This tube here costs him 20 USD excluding shipping.



OK, this one is the common Tuniq TX-2 that most of the forummer here uses it cos its cheap and performs well lol. This TIM comes in a very simple packaging and have a content of 3.5grams. Due to the simple packaging, sometimes there are cases where buyers who uses postage receiving that TIM "divided by zero" when it reaches them



Lying over here will be the new comer Gelid GC1. This TIM is said to be on par with Arctic Cooling MX-2 and according to the box, able to beat Arctic Silver 5 by 2c just like the MX-2. This TIM comes with 5 grams of content and a small applicator for those who likes to "sapu" the thermal paste on their proc. There's no need to use credit card or plastic to cover your hands anymore with this lol





This iz are our last candidate Ocz Freeze. Dubbed as the best TIM by benchmarkreviews.com. It comes in a 3.5gram package just like the Tuniq TX-2 but it has a shelf life of 24months stated on the box. The rest of the TIMs have no indication of shelf life available on the box.

This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Jan 11 2009, 08:25 AM

TESBEDS





HARDWARES
PROCESSOR: INTEL QX6800@3.5GHZ (1.28V LOAD, 1.296V IDLE)
CPU COOLER: THERMALRIGHT ULTRA EXTREME
CPU FAN: XIGMATEK 60CFM LED FAN


SOFTWARES
REALTEMP 2.9 WITH TJMAX SET TO 90
CPU-Z TO MONITOR VCORE
PRIME 95 FOR STRESS TESTS


AMBIENT
Test was done in a room without air-conditioning on a naked rig setup. Test was done starting from midnight till early morning where the room temps are almost identical.


ARCTIC CLEANER IS USED FOR CLEANING THE THERMAL PASTE




TESTING METHODS
- The test is done with all the TIM cleaned before and after each test. Then, new TIM will be reapplied again
- The test is started off by stressing the processors using prime 95 small fft for 20 minutes and the load temps are recorded at the 20th minute
- After that, the proc will be left to idle for 10 minutes and the idle temp taken
- Upon the completion of the test, the cpu cooler will be cleaned, applied with the same TIM again and then remounted for another cycle of tests for temp reading redundancy check
- Because my wish for hiro nakamura's power during christmas didnt came true, none of the TIM are allowed cure time becos it will take me too long to finish the review. They are tested straightaway out of the box.
- Tests are subjected to user error during cpu cooler mounting, thermal paste application and temp reading but i can assure you guys i tried my best i could to keep everything the same.
- This is my first time doing review for TIMs. Please advice me if there are any noobness of mine


THERMAL PASTE APPLICATION





This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Jan 11 2009, 06:38 AM

RESULTS





CONCLUSION
As you guys can see, the winner for this test are shared by Ocz Freeze, Tuniq TX-2 and Arctic Cooling MX-2. All 3 of them have almost the same characteristic except for MX-2 which is more viscous a little bit in my opinion. I know now you guys will be asking why is the Arctic Silver 5 so far behind and to be honest, I couldnt believe it myself too I have retested the the Arctic Silver 5 three times and the best results i could get was still at 70c. If you guys were talking about curing would have helped, well all i can say is the rest of the TIMs used were not cured too and they delivered out of the box. At the end of the test, i have decided to retest Ocz Freeze and Arctic Silver 5 again to make sure the results for Arctic Silver 5 was not affected by ambient temp and Ocz manage to retain its original winning result while Arctic Silver 5 shown no improvement. As for the new comer Gelid GC1, although there are nothing much impressive from the shown results, i believe its a good TIM to buy for those who likes to apply their TIM directly on the proc instead of the drops method. After all, it comes with the highest content of TIM and were priced closely to the rest except for Arctic Silver 5 which will cost you quite a bomb.

At the end of the day, i would like to thank all those who have helped me to complete this review and to the sponsors of the thermal paste too. Names will not be mentioned here under request but i would really like to thank you guys a million for the contribution you guys gave to the review.

This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Jan 11 2009, 07:02 AM

EXTRAS






This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Jan 19 2009, 06:17 PM

This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Jan 11 2009, 07:04 AM

Nice review ! Thanks for TS

Well done tkh. Nice comparison.
What about local price for these TIMs?

nice one tkh.

i knew this would come as soon as u posted all of them at Buy Club.

---

Added on January 11, 2009, 8:14 amand i like the way u present the review.

This post has been edited by hilmiangah: Jan 11 2009, 08:14 AM

Tuniq TX-2 FTW !!

i wonder wut type of thermal that the girl in da pic supply btw nice review tkh

Im pretty sure tkh iz dazzled with Mayanneh pic at this moment

if got put the price sure very perfect, can do the price/performance ratio.

i can see that the shelf life is 24 months.. but start from when? there is no manufacturing date..

and means after application.. every 24months one must reapply again? from a new package.. instead an old package?

This post has been edited by jinaun: Jan 11 2009, 11:10 AM

apply liao no need to reapply gua. the stock heatsink also like tat de, used for few years still ok.

24 months is 2 years...hmmm

Shouldn't be a problem anyway lolz

Cause after 2 years need reapply anyway

how to spread out the thermal paste?
i tried using business card but it was a terrible failure =o

This post has been edited by Zmir: Jan 11 2009, 12:33 PM

Haha, TS is a funny 'girl' ..

Anyway, very good review, i'm Tuniq-TX2 user....

i think if TS put the <RM10 cooler master TIM and some cheap TIM in comparison will make the chart more perfect. At least let some TIM newbie know whats the differences of cheap TIM and branded TIM.

This post has been edited by coolkwc: Jan 11 2009, 12:44 PM

I've use tuniq TX-2 since based on review another thread here..
last me for few upgrades.
Maybe if I want to reapply all the mobo chipsets with new TIM then will I need more TIMs.

don't spread out la, just apply a dot.

i wonder hows my CM nano fusion fare..........

don't know you guys noticed or not, the applied Tuniq-TX2 TIM harden just after 4 months of usage(Like the ori Intel cooler TIM)...i wonder why... but i don't care because the performance didn't drop down.

huhuhu..i'm glad used Tuniq TX2...i dont know is better then other TIM..summore it's cheap

@tkh_1001

haha .. i knew you were going to do something like this since the day i saw u bought several TIM ..

but .. why not using CCF lah ?! Tolong test in on CCF and v8 ~

btw, i also have Mx-2 and Tx-2 waiting to be used

This post has been edited by xelnamikaze: Jan 11 2009, 02:11 PM

erm...i am not sure bro cos this is subjective to the seller punya discretion...so the price is hardly comparable since TIM is a very cheap item, even a margin of rm5 wud be big difference actually

ftl

i am really sorry bro...actually i dont really get what its supposed to mean either actually... i am just stating the info a lil bit there

but i wud believe that is supposed to be meaning the life of the TIM after manufacturing (altho there are no manufacturing date )



erm...no ppl sponsor ooo... and actually 5 TIM is quite a lot already for me to handle alone.... this review took me like 9-12 hours to finish

lol , human is like that ma, greedy...got 5 want 10, got 10 want more...

nvmla...u sponsor me for the next review... i will accidentally elva's pictah

you never ask me ? then you say no ppl sponsor ..

i already keep Mx-2 and Tx-2 for 2months ++ already

you should sponsor him cheapo TIM, not the branded TIM...

i don't have cheapo TIM .. how sponsor ?

@tkh_1001

need me lend my v8 to make review?

or u already made one already ?

this is tim reviw ma i think no need extra heatsink gua

btw, tkh_1001, nice review. i think the way u present it. goo job bro

anyway im greedy too, you should include this
http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/ic-diamond-...l-compound.html

This post has been edited by ham_revilo: Jan 11 2009, 02:54 PM

if don't use thermal paste how?last time i got open my proc to see and try2(noob ma,want to learn)...and at that time got this one hardened material i clean from the fan performance doesn't go haywire but sometimes bsod...nid to apply the thermal paste?

Nice reviyu. Still got some leftover TX2?

how come CM thermal paste not included??

not high end thermal paste mah .. cant win if compared to the Mx-2, Tx-2 and the others ..

of coz it cannot win.........

we just need to know how much is the different between those 'high end' and those cheap one.

btw coolaboratory liquid metal is more high end than those that tkh use.

aiks.... chill down la guys...

i am just reviewing what is available to me

and how much does coolaboratory liquid metal cost ?

for that u can use ye olde Google..........

tx2 user

is this allowed? tkh_1001 a.k.a thread starter?

Allow what?

k whatever..

This post has been edited by xelnamikaze: Jan 11 2009, 07:53 PM

considering that the TX2 cost around RM20 max and it beat the more expensive Arctic Cooling i'd say it is the best value TIM tested here.

Is it wrong to be a user? unless u can tell me u don't spam at all.

i got what u mean


btw to TS............what is the ambient temp???

TX2 user here
BTW,best tim for sub zero benching would be artic silver creamique

no problem then.

---

Added on January 11, 2009, 7:50 pmbtw, Tx-2 and Mx-2 user here also ..

This post has been edited by xelnamikaze: Jan 11 2009, 07:54 PM

It's not as serious as you thought. If u see how johnkor posts. Then u know what is SPAM.

ic.

so if one use let say a TX2 when sub zero benching would the TIM froze???

what is a johnkor ?

now u are spamming!!!

i think johnkor gone already even b4 u joined this forum

nvm .. someone told me that he was a legendary spammer ..

mind explaining the theory behind that? just curious

for those who dont know what is coolaboratory liquid pro.. i just got it from google myself lol cos i dont know also













BBQ: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/archiv...p/t-159752.html

Johnkor use toothpaste as TIM. I'm not kidding, its true.

and there is actually two variation of this liquad metal.

the pro that u provide the pic there and the pad version.

here is the pad version.

works better on a gc than proc apparently..........

wow, such liquid ignite my curiosity of dropping some melted soldering iron as thermal paste (of course need to do it in 1 seconds)

but removing it after that aint gonna happen then............

mx2 user here... tried tx2 before, but dont like it since its hard to clean that TIM even using alcohol... or its just only me?

well i just remove mine with a little bit of glass cleaner

i find quite easy to remove even with just tissue papers... but most of the time i will remount once in a month... so maybe mine not really hardened yet

get some arctic cleaner ba

This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Jan 11 2009, 08:51 PM

and to TS,

u can get RM100 for this review.

---

Added on January 11, 2009, 8:53 pm

This post has been edited by hilmiangah: Jan 11 2009, 08:53 PM

yeah...i knew about that...

but i think i am doing this just for the forum so its ok ba

thanks for the heads up bro

good 'girl' u are...........

owh really? i dunno why, i find tx2 is much sticky & abit hard to really clean up that TIM, of coz can clean it, but left some mark on cpu, something like a mist... erm how to say.. nvm la i just use mx2

TX2 is rated for down to -45 C while Creamique is rated much much lower
TX2 should forze at anything lower then that but never tried yet and probably never will(Anabond generic TIM in big ass bottle FTW for sub zero benching)

why do u need the TIM anyway when one do sub zero benching since high temperature isnt an issue anymore.

tuniq tx2 pawned with its cool packaging wor!!!

For squeezing the most out of dice or ln2, it isn't merely a issue of sub zero, but how to maximize it, not to mention temp controlling of ln2, which is bullcrap if you are using a badly designed pot

---

Added on January 12, 2009, 2:27 amone liner replies like this will be reviewed and see if its a habit of the user, if it is, warning will be issued and/or suspension will be given

This post has been edited by bryanyeo87: Jan 12 2009, 02:27 AM

sorry if im interrupting,but how much is the difference between thermal paste without 'curing time' performance to those who has go through specific 'curing time'? does it make a real difference? sorry ima noob when it comes to thermal paste..

Currently im using Xigmatek thermal paste, G-something2..and uses the same Xigmatek red scorpion cooler like Ts used.

but my temp is lower about one degree, 44C-43C(idle) in the early morning(no air cond)...so i wonder if all the thermal paste tested by TS will have lower temperature figure, let say less than 44C if 'curing time' were applied in his test..is it possible?

if yes, i might considering to change my thermal paste in near future...

This post has been edited by NUR_VER.3: Jan 12 2009, 04:03 AM

read here and hope it gives u the answer you looking for

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/249092-2...al-paste-curing

btw, TS is not using xigmatek for the test. its TRUE

This post has been edited by ham_revilo: Jan 12 2009, 06:02 AM

Ocz Freeze works well for subzero benching

Well, just to share some personal experience here. I do notice that AS5 would be better after the 200hours curing as recommended.I did notice additional few degree drop after curing the TIM. And as told last time, the AC MX-2 does not need to be cured in order to perform well. Not sure why the AS5 needs the 200hours though. Anyway, nice review here.

Just wondering, where and how much you got the Gelid anyway? My MX2 is almost finish and would love to give other brand a try if they are better.

Hahhahaa
Temp control on bad pot with LN2,straight cold bug for sure
Anyway,TIM is important for sub zero cause it stabilize the temp,imagine how you going to bench with temp between -80 C and -120 C,jumping in a range like that constantly

thanks for the link bro, got my answer now...

TS is using TRUE? i see, interesting...

really thanks for the input bro....

btw,the price i am not really sure.. cos the gelid is sponsored by someone

but shud be around rm2x i guess

This post has been edited by tkh_1001: Jan 12 2009, 05:41 PM

RM2X? Now thats going to be a bargain. Like the MX2. I still remember i bought the good, old AS5 for over RM40 just for a small lil tube. Time to search for it

~!@#$% !!

I was putting new layer of TIM on my old AMD processor while i was watching a comedy movie. I laughed once when a funny part appeared in the movie .. i accidently throw the "TIM inject jarum" or i don't know what it is called into the air ..

Suddenly i felt a sensation that i never had felt before, something went into my mouth, onto my tongue right after i laughed .. it has a weird taste that i never tasted before .. when i spit it out and lap my tongue ..

I saw a silver colored stuff togather with my saliva .. and you guys should know what that means ..

I then asked my friend who was with me "did that happen to me?" and he said .. yes ..

But luckily i didn't swallow any TIM .. i washed my tongue with SOAP for several times so that i won't get any "food" poisoning .. and it taste weird too ..

So .. does anyone ever encountered this incident besides me?


what happens if i accidently swallow some of the TIM ? will it make me die or atleast sick ?

im not sure whether i removed all the TIM from my tongue ..

This post has been edited by xelnamikaze: Jan 14 2009, 08:35 PM

the morale of the story, dont apply tim while you are doing something else. especially watching comedy shows

i believe its "moral" and i really didn't know something like that could happen to someone .. and i certainly didn't know it would happen to me !!

Wowow nice review, hope to see 120mm fans review the next lol

me thinkest ts should learn how to apply thermalpaste

and test different application methods before he does reviews

thanks for the feedback.... this is just my first time doing it

from ur own experience, what method do u think is the best?

You are right but since TS is using the same method of applying. for each brand of TIM. The ratio of difference is still the same.

depends on the tim dude

ask lolhalol or superf3ly they did a review of 30 plus tims last time

also depends on cooler and proc

coolit, TRUE on e8600 example

for tx2 on usually similar to as5 but a bit more
as5 very little amount grain amount and line in the middle.. and i mean very little
mx2.. place amount on hsf and use ure finger wrapped around plastic and spread it thin around the whole hsf

what do i do
and find best

use as5 and polish the coolit waterblock/true heatsink
and use tx2 hsf

again repeat different proc different way to apply
different tim different way

as5 also has a long cure rate
with linpack 1 hour-2 hour run u should be reaching the cure rate fast..

This post has been edited by cstkl1: Jan 14 2009, 10:27 PM

thanks alot for the information... wud be learning from it

Who is the wrong posted PIC?
Hmm how much is the OCZ Freeze?

where can i get this item? i wan it @@

man, i've been thinking of doing it to c how effective it is... he's one step ahead of me T_T