Arctic Silver 5

[DiverDave]

I was told for my upcoming system build (my first) to get Arctic Silver 5 for the CPU HS. I went to Newegg and read a lot of reviews that said it didn't make that big of a difference over the stock material that comes with the retail CPU (which I plan to get E6400).

Can all of these be do to improper installation of the AC or is the stock material reasonably good and the AC just the best aftermarket material available should one need more.

FYI I plan to get some anyways in case I screw up the installation of the CPU the first time or get dirt on it (most likely dog fur since my dog sheds constantly and the hair is pervasive). I know I have to be careful but especially since it's the first time I've done this things happen.

 

[pkme2]

Use a credit card to spread a tiny drop of AS5 evenly. Just take your time and don't get messy. You'll do OK. Don't sweat it!

 

[lxskllr]

Tbh I'm not sure it makes that big of a difference. I use AS5 though because I want to put it together once, and $15 is cheap insurance to make sure I don't have to take it apart and redo the installation.

Also as pkme2 said, you just want a very small amount. More isn't better. Just a very thin coat that covers the whole top. If compound squeezes out of the side when you clip down the hs, you've used too much.

 

[stevf]

a retail cpu and fan will have the thermal pad already on it, it is waxed based so you really dont have to do anything with it other than remove whatever protective covering is on it and install the HSF.

You really dont need AS5 unless you use another HSF that doesnt have the thermal pad on it. unless you overclock a lot, the thermal pad provided is more than adequate. If you do want to use AS5 or another thermal compound on your heat sink, you will have to take time removing what is there already.

Short answer, unless you OC a lot or take systems apart a lot and then reassemble them, the thermal pad is more than adequate

 

[Fishy007]

I used to use the stock stuff that came with cpu fans, but about 2 years ago I switched to Arctic Silver 3 (now using AS5 though). It actually made a 5 degree difference for me (celsius).

 

[Bill Brasky]

I prefer AS5 because it can be removed from the heatsink. What I mean is that once a thermal pad is heated, there is no way to remove it from the microgrooves in the heatsink or cpu. At least that's what they tell me. Personally, I think there's a difference, but there were many variables in my test that could've changed performance so it was probably not just the AS5.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: Fishy007
I used to use the stock stuff that came with cpu fans, but about 2 years ago I switched to Arctic Silver 3 (now using AS5 though). It actually made a 5 degree difference for me (celsius).

That's about the average difference. It's a lot, if you're overclocking, but if you're not then it doesn't really matter if your CPU is at 35 or 40 degrees.

 

[sourceninja]

With the AMD64 chips I've just used the stock heat sink with no issues using the included thermal pad. Back in my p4 and athlon days I used ac5 and their ceramic based stuff a lot.

 

[ForumMaster]

i used it and it helped a lot. it's one reason why my CPU idles at 35.

 

[DiverDave]

Originally posted by: stevf
a retail cpu and fan will have the thermal pad already on it, it is waxed based so you really dont have to do anything with it other than remove whatever protective covering is on it and install the HSF.

You really dont need AS5 unless you use another HSF that doesnt have the thermal pad on it. unless you overclock a lot, the thermal pad provided is more than adequate. If you do want to use AS5 or another thermal compound on your heat sink, you will have to take time removing what is there already.

Short answer, unless you OC a lot or take systems apart a lot and then reassemble them, the thermal pad is more than adequate

I plan to OC the system once I get it up and running stock but I won't be going crazy with the OC. Just some extra performance without having to pay for it. At what point does AC make a difference over the stock, 10% OC, 20%?

 

[mrfatboy]

I am going to be getting a E6600 and using the stock fan. Does it come with a theremal pad? Should I use AS5 instead? I want to set it and forget it.

 

[stevf]

Diver dan - thats hard to answer really as there are variables, depends on your cpu, cooler, overall case cooling, alignment of the planets (ok, maybe not this one ), etc - but if you plan to oc probably better to use the AS5

 

[stevf]

Mrfatboy - if you want to set it and forget it, go with the pad and yes it should come with the pad already on the HS, just remember to remove the protective covering and avoid touching both the heat spreader on the cpu and the bottom of the HS with your fingers for best results.

 

[ColemontHD]

AC5 is all I ever use, but do not use to much. As expensive as it is, you only need a small bit dead center of the chip.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: ColemontHD
AC5 is all I ever use, but do not use to much. As expensive as it is, you only need a small bit dead center of the chip.

AS5 is not worth the money!!
It is way over rated with little if any difference betwen AS5 and other thermal pastes that ship with heatsinks and other hardware that uses thermal paste!!

 

[Noubourne]

I use it. Cost me $12 and I've used it to seat about 20 times so far and it's showing no sign of depleting. Nice to have it around. Often what you get with the heatsink is not labelled (what is that?), so rather than worry about it, I just bought the tube of something I know the quality of and I've not had to worry since.

Is it a ton better than what usually gets shipped? Probably not. Is it good peace of mind to know I always have enough for when I get new heatsinks or change chips? Yep.

 

[sswingle]

I'm partial to the Arctic Ceramic

 

[dBTelos]

Maybe this can help you out.

 

[dennilfloss]

It does seem to work as advertised and degrades very little if at all over my three-year upgrade time.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Noubourne
I use it. Cost me $12 and I've used it to seat about 20 times so far and it's showing no sign of depleting. Nice to have it around. Often what you get with the heatsink is not labelled (what is that?), so rather than worry about it, I just bought the tube of something I know the quality of and I've not had to worry since.

Is it a ton better than what usually gets shipped? Probably not. Is it good peace of mind to know I always have enough for when I get new heatsinks or change chips? Yep.

That's exactly why I buy it. You're dealing with a known quantity then. No guess work, and no worries.

 

[Operandi]

Stock HS/F means stock thermal compound to me; but then I don't use stock HS/Fs as low noise is always a high priority for me.

That said having some good compound on hand is a good idea. I've used AC 1-3, and AS Ceramique; the Ceramique is a bit cheaper (same price but more material in volume) then AC5 and performs about the same. I think the AS applies a little easier but the Ceramique is much, much easier to remove.

 

[dBTelos]

I sorta agree with Operandi. If you don't invest the money into a aftermarket HSF, then you might as well use stock TIM.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Originally posted by: lxskllr

Originally posted by: Noubourne
I use it. Cost me $12 and I've used it to seat about 20 times so far and it's showing no sign of depleting. Nice to have it around. Often what you get with the heatsink is not labelled (what is that?), so rather than worry about it, I just bought the tube of something I know the quality of and I've not had to worry since.

Is it a ton better than what usually gets shipped? Probably not. Is it good peace of mind to know I always have enough for when I get new heatsinks or change chips? Yep.

That's exactly why I buy it. You're dealing with a known quantity then. No guess work, and no worries.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
Maybe this can help you out.

The article was dates 3/11/04...since that time and before things have changed quite a bit...
Now top quality heatsink manufacturers are shipping a very good quality thermal paste with the heatsinks...

My how times change