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Some people swear by silver based compounds, and others prefer the generic stuff. Does the fancy goop really work better, and if so, does the performance justify the price? From my experiences, exotic compounds do tend to perform better, but we're not talking about copper heatsink to aluminum heatsink type differences. In fact, the differences are usually negligable. Are these compounds worth the extra cash then? Again, this will depend on a few factors, such as how often you need to replace it.
Today, we're going to examine some of the new compounds by and . They will be compared to one another, as well as to their previous generation siblings. I won't bother going into too much detail about those, but you can read my previous Nanotherm Compound review here, and my Arctic Silver 2 review here. Rounding out the shootout, we'll be taking a look at some of the generic stuff that comes free with most heatsinks. You better grab a coffee, cause this is gonna be a long one...
Theory Behind Thermal Compounds
The sole purpose of thermal compounds is not to lower temperatures. Yes, most compounds are thermally conductive, but the main purpose of compounds is to create a better bond between the CPU, or GPU and heatsink. The by-product, when done properly, is indeed lower temperatures, but don't think that applying compound like peanut butter is going to decrease temperatures by 10 degrees.
Due to the natural theory of "nothing being perfect", it's impossible to get two perfectly flat surfaces (this being the CPU and heatsink). They come close, but there are still micro gaps between the two when installing. Thermal compound comes into play here, where by applying a little on the surface serves to fill in these minute gaps. Because air is a poor conducter of heat, compound will replace the air, and allow the heat to transfer more efficiently. Below is my representation, as shown in previous reviews...
No Paste Applied
Paste Applied
The theory is simple enough, but you'll be surprised how many people I've come across who don't apply any thermal paste between surfaces. And they wonder why their computers keep shutting down suddenly...
I suppose some of you are wondering "I don't remember applying any of this stuff. I bought my computer like this." Relax, in the best case scenario, the manufacturer already did this for you. In a not-so-best case scenario, a thermal pad has been used instead. Generally, these things suck, but I suppose if you don't know why, you're not the type who likes to push their gear to the maximum. Thermal pads do the minimum of filling in the "gaps", but don't have the thermal conductivity that compounds do.
What Makes a Good Thermal Compound?
There are 3 main things to look for, which will directly affect our judging here:
1) Thermal/Electrical Conductivity
A good compound should be thermally conductive; i.e., it should keep heat moving from the CPU tot he heatsink, and not take a smoke break. Pretty much all manufacturers do this, and some claim to do it better than others.
Unlike thermal conductivity, you're best to be careful with compounds that can be electrically conductive. All metal based compounds have this property, whereas ceramic based do not. Manufacturers know enough to make them as electrically inert as possible, but it can never be 100%. Metal compounds won't be hazardous to the CPU die itself, but any traces on the chip or motherboard are a risk if it gets contaminated.
2) Ease of Application
Some compounds are thick like toothpaste, and others are thin like motor oil. Thinner compounds tend to be easier to apply, and thicker compounds are easier to control during application. Which is better is a matter of opinion. I find the problem with thin compounds is that it's hard to get an even layer on the CPU, but that's just me.
All the compounds tested for the review are of the siringe variety. Unlike the packets of compound that can be had for 1$, or free with most heatsinks, siringes are basically resealable.
No matter which kind you get, remember to spread only a thin layer. More is not better, and will actually be detrimental to performance.
3) Performance Today, and Next Month
I actually received the samples about 90 days ago, with the Arctic Silver 3 about two weeks ago. The reason why the roundup was so late (other than waiting for the AS3 to be released) is that both ESG Associates and Arctic Silver both mentioned that a "settling" period occurs where performance will actually improve over time. I wanted to be sure this was true, so each test subject was tested for two weeks, on two computers, where one of them ran 24/7 during this time. To test the thermal adhesives, I tested them on my trust GeForce 3 in my primary system. Three weeks were spent with the Nanotherm, and three weeks with the Arctic Alumina.
The focus of the roundup will be on the newer products we've received here. Included will be the results from previous compound reviews. Knowing that, let's take a closer look at the competitors...
Next Page - Nanotherm Products
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