Which thermal compound??

[ben-the-slacker]

I was wondering which thermal compound I should get: Arctic Silver/SilverII/Alumina. Heard great stuff about Silver but read somewhere that it was kinda conductive, so I was wondering if Alumina is a good second choice. Besides it's also cheaper.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

[cadetstimp]

I would say Artic Silver II all the way.....

Here's a thread with info on how to apply

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t8393.html

>>edit

I forgot .. Artic silver has detailed instructions at their web site as well...

http://www.articsilver.com/arctic_si...structions.htm

[S.D.Willie]

i would say arctic silver as well. for a little x-tra dough, it's worth it.


SD

[MrFrost]

I've not yet tried the Alumina but will likely change to it when next I need to buy thermal goop.

I currently use Artic Silver II, and it is very good. My problem with it has more to do with its inconveniences. Rather nasty to clean. Expensive.

I don't figure that most systems will be made or broke by the 1 or 2 degrees difference between Alumina or Silver II. If it is, someone should be more concerned about a better cooling solution than the thermal goop they're using.

Also, have seen some test results where Radio Shack goop was very close to Silver II's ability, at 1/4th the cost. And most of us live near a Radio Shack, meaning no shipping charges.
The biggst downside is the fact it dries out over time, which isn't good.

Yeah, I think I'll try Alumina next. Near RS price. Near Silver II performance. Won't dry out. 100% inert.

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

If you install the goop as per the instructions and don't heap it on, conductivity has no effect, you could use silver conductive paint if you wanted to, the key is moderation, if you put a glob on slap the HS on and spread it all over the CPU then there was too much, but since the layer is supposed to be extremely thin, the last thing I worry about is conductivity.

[bigBonehead]

Nothin like raisin a Dead Horse! I had an emergency rebuild and I used Silicone Bath and Tile between the CPU and fan and I ain't had a problem yet... In fact the dern CPU temp is running @ 28....

[ShyguyXPC]

Dang, speaking of raising the dead, wonder what WoZ has been up to? (last poster above you), haven't seen him around since 4 or 5 years ago, here or over at XPC.

[paul9]

I can't remember if it was him or one of the other Distributed Computing gang who started a Linux forum.
NVM. It was Crouse started that, Wizzard hasn't posted there since 2005 either.

[Chuckiechan]

Around that time I bought a tube of Arctic Silver. I still have it. A little dab 'ill do ya!

[paul9]

Arctic Brylcreem?

[stroyal]

The only drawback over plane silicone is that it is stuck now.
You might not be able to get it off.
I've seen an eye bolt break the top off of a bearing cap, because the silicone would not let go.
This was when silicone sealer was new, and we new nothing about it.
We thought a 2 ton chain fall would break the seal, but it broke the cast iron bearing cap first.

Most silicone sealer is good for over 400F.
The clear I use on my stove is good for 500f.

The Red High Temp, that has a catalysts, can stand short periods of 600F.
That stuff is over $100 a pound/pint though.

[paul9]

Well they use it a lot in engine gasket applications now. I'm not convinced it will efficiently transfer heat, though.

[stroyal]

The horizontal joint on LP Nuke turbines are sealed with it, even the ones with radioactive steam. (GE Reactor)


I never thought of it before, but BBHs 28 degrees seem to say it is as good as regular silicone past.

If I had thought of it before, I think I would have tried it on chip set heat sinks, that came unglued, in the past.

[bigBonehead]

Just and update: The CPU temps are running between 23 and 28 degrees... I'm gonna let it run all night before the delivery Sunday noon...

[paul9]

So just to get this straight: Standard silicone rubber bathroom sealant? The stuff that smells like vinegar as it cures?
What is it like under load, running something like Folding@Home or a benchmark?

[stroyal]

It shouldn't dry out like most other thermal media, so maybe you won't have to worry about getting it off.

If it works under load that is..

[Networker4321]

Dang, speaking of raising the dead, wonder what WoZ has been up to? (last poster above you), haven't seen him around since 4 or 5 years ago, here or over at XPC.

I was too lazy to look, what ever happened to Nunyadam?

[Networker4321]

Arctic Brylcreem?

What happened to Arctic Ice? Do all the variants say "Ice"?

[stroyal]

So just to get this straight: Standard silicone rubber bathroom sealant? The stuff that smells like vinegar as it cures?
What is it like under load, running something like Folding@Home or a benchmark?

I've used RTV for 40 years and, never connected it with the smell of vinegar, or heard it described that way.

I was using it today, on my stovepipe, and I be damned, it smells like vinegar.

[paul9]

Yep, the standard silicone rubber sealant gives off acetic acid as it cures, hence the vinegar smell.
If it is spread really thin on a heatsink, it should shear or twist off more easily, especially if it is still hot.
It's amazing, the stuff you don't notice or connect for years. Then one day, you realise, or someone mentions it and it's "Oh, yeah. How did I never see that before?"