OC & Modding Thermal paste dilemma

iChaitanya

iChaitanya

Adept
Hi guys,

I'm using a C2D rig with Antibiotic case (2*80mm + 2*120mm) which is still going strong. However, heat is troubling my PC (non-AC environment):

CPU:

I've decided to go for the Hyper TX3 (fan bracket version) - Cooler Master as a replacement for my Intel E8400's stock cooler (it has recently started making noise). I guess I'll overclock a bit (if the temps permit). 120mm coolers won't fit in my PC case.

Temps (stock Intel cooler): 50c idle, 70c full load (Prime95). :S

GPU:

I'm also going to apply fresh TIM to my 1month old refurbished GPU (XFX 8800GT).

Temps: 72c idle @ ~45% fan, 81c load @ 100% fan (gaming). :huh:

Is applying fresh TIM to GPU safe? :ashamed:

TIM:

So which TIM should I opt for? Arctic Silver 5 or Tuniq TX-3?

Both these TIMs have been rated A+.

I read many reviews and most of the reviews are saying that the Tuniq TX-3 is thick like putty/play-doh! :bleh:
 
Go for the Arctic Silver 5. But to remind you a single * drop on your temps wouldn't be effective until you are into heavy benching. Other alternative would be a MX2.
 
when you buy a TIM, let us know availability & price of TIMs. could not get any in mumbai about 2 weeks ago.
 
^^ Get a TIM in the following order --

Tuniq TX-2 [cheap, effective and runs well, have been using for paste month] > Arctic Silver 5 [needs time for curing, but once set you do not need to replace until you open the set-up to clean it] > Cooler Master Thermal Fusion 400 [really expensive] > Cooler Master HTK-002 paste [next to useless] > Local TIM [useless].
 
^^ Get a TIM in the following order --

Tuniq TX-2 [cheap, effective and runs well, have been using for paste month] > Arctic Silver 5 [needs time for curing, but once set you do not need to replace until you open the set-up to clean it] > Cooler Master Thermal Fusion 400 [really expensive] > Cooler Master HTK-002 paste [next to useless] > Local TIM [useless].

Hope this helps, Sire.
 
Guys, thanks for your suggestions! :)

karizma.r2008 said:
what do you mean by refurbished gpu? gpu cannot be repaired.
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My old XFX 8800GT's fan was jammed. So, Rashi replaced the GPU with a new one. The new one looks like a factory refurbished piece. I think the production of 8800GT has stopped.

PoBoy said:
when you buy a TIM, let us know availability & price of TIMs. could not get any in mumbai about 2 weeks ago.
Click to expand...
No TIM in Mumbai? I find that hard to believe! :no:
Check with Prime, else order it from theitdepot.com

ALPHA17 said:
^^ Get a TIM in the following order --

Tuniq TX-2 [cheap, effective and runs well, have been using for paste month] > Arctic Silver 5 [needs time for curing, but once set you do not need to replace until you open the set-up to clean it] > Cooler Master Thermal Fusion 400 [really expensive] > Cooler Master HTK-002 paste [next to useless] > Local TIM [useless].
Click to expand...
LOL, interesting conclusions!
Well, I won't be removing my (new) heatsink once I place it. I'm also going to apply the same TIM to GPU (it's hawt - check temps in 1st post). I'm still confused between Tuniq TX-3 or AS5. :S

Zloyd said:
Theitdepot - Sunbeam TX-3 Extreme Thermal Compound

Gonna pick up a couple myself I think.
Click to expand...
Ya, even I'm leaned more towards this one. I don't wanna fry my chips :S and moreover TX-3 has also been rated A+ along with AS5 (check link in 1st post).
avinash4 said:
Go for the Arctic Silver 5. But to remind you a single * drop on your temps wouldn't be effective until you are into heavy benching. Other alternative would be a MX2.
Click to expand...
OK, someone please answer this: Is there a problem if some AS5 gets on the PCB (by mistake/due to pressure)? I've read various contradictory claims about this one.

Also, I'm thinking of going for Hyper 212 Plus (fan bracket version) - Cooler Master instead of the TX3. :eek:hyeah:
Will have to remove the side 120mm fan and mount it from outside.
I think some users on TE are using this HDT cooler in their Bijli cases! :bleh:
 
LOL, have been using the local paste here and it works for me, however im not into overclocking and all......

Also yes, could not find TIM@LR last time i went there......
 
iChaitanya said:
Yup, I'm convinced. :)

Also, CM ThermalFusion 400 TIM comes bundled along with the CM Hyper 212+, so I'll use that. Rated A. I don't care about 0.5c or 1c temp difference.

Thanks for your inputs! :clap:
Click to expand...

The TX-2 is rated as B -- 80-way Thermal Interface Material Performance Test | Thermal Interface Material,Thermal Paste,Heatsink Compound,80-Way Thermal Interface Material Best Thermal Paste Heatsink Compound Cooling Performance Comparison Benchmark Tests, and it is cheaper than the Thermal Fusion 400, was a win-win solution for me.

Of all the thermal paste's I've mentioned in my previous post, I've used all types except the Arctic Silver 5.
 
Cooler Master HTK-002 is not next to useless...my GPU temp wer arnd 70C during idle...i applied it properly...its 35c now :)
ALPHA17 said:
^^ Get a TIM in the following order --

Tuniq TX-2 [cheap, effective and runs well, have been using for paste month] > Arctic Silver 5 [needs time for curing, but once set you do not need to replace until you open the set-up to clean it] > Cooler Master Thermal Fusion 400 [really expensive] > Cooler Master HTK-002 paste [next to useless] > Local TIM [useless].

Hope this helps, Sire.
Click to expand...
 
ALPHA17 said:
^^ Get a TIM in the following order --

Tuniq TX-2 [cheap, effective and runs well, have been using for paste month] > Arctic Silver 5 [needs time for curing, but once set you do not need to replace until you open the set-up to clean it] > Cooler Master Thermal Fusion 400 [really expensive] > Cooler Master HTK-002 paste [next to useless] > Local TIM [useless].
Click to expand...
I didn't know that & when I went for artic silver I could not find anywhere in Nehru place DElhi,hence I got Cooler Master HTK-002 paste from SMC for Rs 150/- but it does cool a bit, not much.

my system is still showing hot when idle



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my GPU temp wer arnd 70C during idle...i applied it properly...its 35c now
Click to expand...
On gpu where do you apply the paste? open the fan & then apply or somewhere else?
 
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