The Official Thermal Interface Material thread

[Borc]

SYY-157 is no more difficult to spread than Arctic Silver Ceramique II… Maybe they had some dry stuff, not sure. TFX is waaay thicker for sure, that stuff was a tough spread.. but it was cool in here and I didn’t warm it up.

The 2022 edition of SYY-157 is quite a bit less viscous than the older 2020/2021 edition, the spreading isn't really hard anymore and for sure quite easy compared to TFX or TF9. On my notebook it's 2 degrees less good however, even though I wouldn't expect the same on a desktop. I recently got two new pastes, Kooling Monster KOLD-01 and Aerocool FUZION. Both are seriously good on my notebook. I have no idea how they work on a desktop but if someone wants to try out something new, maybe this is something to look for..

Spoiler: Kooling Monster KOLD-01+Aerocool FUZION

Kooling Monster KOLD-01 20.0
80/82/80/79

Ceezon TG-128 19.2
85/90/86/87

Aerocool FUZION 19.8
79/82/80/80

SYY-157 2022 edition 19.5
82/85/83/83

Arctic MX-6 19.6
83/87/84/85

Alphacool Apex 19.6
86/87/86/85

Phobya NanoGrease Extreme 19.6
83/87/85/85

Thermalright TF8 19.6
81/85/82/83

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 19.7
81/83/82/82

Corsair XTM70 19.7
81/85/83/83

Thermalright TF9 19.9
80/83/82/81

Deepcool G40 19.8
80/83/82/82

Coolermaster CryoFuze 19.8
80/83/81/80

FUZEIce Plus 19.9
83/86/83/83

 

[freeagent]

The 2022 edition of SYY-157 is quite a bit less viscous than the older 2020/2021 edition, the spreading isn't really hard anymore and for sure quite easy compared to TFX or TF9. On my notebook it's 2 degrees less good however, even though I wouldn't expect the same on a desktop. I recently got two new pastes, Kooling Monster KOLD-01 and Aerocool FUZION. Both are seriously good on my notebook. I have no idea how they work on a desktop but if someone wants to try out something new, maybe this is something to look for..

Spoiler: Kooling Monster KOLD-01+Aerocool FUZION

Kooling Monster KOLD-01 20.0
80/82/80/79

Ceezon TG-128 19.2
85/90/86/87

Aerocool FUZION 19.8
79/82/80/80

SYY-157 2022 edition 19.5
82/85/83/83

Arctic MX-6 19.6
83/87/84/85

Alphacool Apex 19.6
86/87/86/85

Phobya NanoGrease Extreme 19.6
83/87/85/85

Thermalright TF8 19.6
81/85/82/83

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 19.7
81/83/82/82

Corsair XTM70 19.7
81/85/83/83

Thermalright TF9 19.9
80/83/82/81

Deepcool G40 19.8
80/83/82/82

Coolermaster CryoFuze 19.8
80/83/81/80

FUZEIce Plus 19.9
83/86/83/83

Actually now that you mention it some of the first tubes that I bought in 2021 were a bit stiff.. but 2022 is really nice to work with.

 

[MachineLearning]

Damn - I was kind of thinking MX-2 might become EOL after MX-6 (with MX-4 becoming the new Arctic budget paste). Looks like it's happened, no stock on Amazon from Arctic Inc. either.

MX-2 | High-Performance all-round Thermal Compound | ARCTIC

The ARCTIC MX-2 ACTCP00006B thermal compound guarantees an extremely high thermal conductivity and is very easy to use with an ideal consistency | Fast processing and delivery | ARCTIC Store

www.arctic.de

Looks like I have to switch to MX-4 for bulk paste.

 

[Pictus]

Damn - I was kind of thinking MX-2 might become EOL after MX-6 (with MX-4 becoming the new Arctic budget paste). Looks like it's happened, no stock on Amazon from Arctic Inc. either.

MX-2 | High-Performance all-round Thermal Compound | ARCTIC

The ARCTIC MX-2 ACTCP00006B thermal compound guarantees an extremely high thermal conductivity and is very easy to use with an ideal consistency | Fast processing and delivery | ARCTIC Store

www.arctic.de

Looks like I have to switch to MX-4 for bulk paste.

For bulk cheap paste, there is a new GD paste with better thermal conductivity in the GD line.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804837917990.html

GD-2 = 7.5 W/mK
GD007 = 6.8 W/mK
GD900 = 4.8 W/mK

But I prefer the Shin-Etsu 7921, it is super ultra mega dry/dense and we have to heat
the heatsink or CPU with heat gun or hair dryer to proper apply a thin layer.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804118261918.html

Some tests with GD pastes: (There is still no test for GD-2)

 

[lexluthermiester]

For bulk cheap paste, there is a new GD paste with better thermal conductivity in the GD line.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804837917990.html

GD-2 = 7.5 W/mK
GD007 = 6.8 W/mK
GD900 = 4.8 W/mK

But I prefer the Shin-Etsu 7921, it is super ultra mega dry/dense and we have to heat
the heatsink or CPU with heat gun or hair dryer to proper apply a thin layer.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804118261918.html

Some tests with GD pastes: (There is still no test for GD-2)

If they had a US shipping based Amazon or Ebay listing, I might try it out. AliExpress isn't very compelling comparatively for anyone in North America.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep beware of aliexpress they always side with their seller if your shipment doesn't show up and they say it did.
Good thing for credit card support but time is against you their shipping is so slow.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Hi,
Yep beware of aliexpress they always side with their seller if your shipment doesn't show up and they say it did.
Good thing for credit card support but time is against you their shipping is so slow.

Exactly.

 

[Pictus]

If they had a US shipping based Amazon or Ebay listing, I might try it out. AliExpress isn't very compelling comparatively for anyone in North America.

eBay:
GD-2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/255027657952
Shin-Etsu x-23-7921-5 X23-79215 https://www.ebay.com/itm/255157521183

 

[lexluthermiester]

eBay:
GD-2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/255027657952
Shin-Etsu x-23-7921-5 X23-79215 https://www.ebay.com/itm/255157521183

One of those sellers isn't trustworthy and neither of them ship from somewhere other than China. 30 days shipping from China and $30 for 10grams? There are better TIMs for less money and faster shipping. No thanks.

 

[jayjr1105]

What's with all the Aliexpress fear mongering? I've ordered dozens of tools/parts/electronics from them and literally never once had an issue where I wasn't refunded or sent a replacement after a few emails. Over the summer I was getting things in less than 2 weeks. Maybe different now with holiday mail backed up still.

 

[lexluthermiester]

What's with all the Aliexpress fear mongering?

It's not fearmongering. It's experience. I'm not willing to wait 1 or 2 months for something to arrive only to discover that it's either not as it should be or broken. AliExpress is ok for those who do not live in an area with excellent shopping options. For the rest of us Amazon, Ebay and local etailers/retailers are a greatly better solution.

 

[jayjr1105]

You have to watch out for the shipping methods offered for items. The super economy stuff can be slow, it's usually only a $1 to upgrade to standard Ali shipping which includes full tracking. These are always between 2-3 weeks for me. For certain things, Ali is the only choice. Amazon doesn't have everything.

 

[lexluthermiester]

These are always between 2-3 weeks for me.

That's still WAY too much time. If it's not on my doorstep within a week, someone is doing something very wrong.

For certain things, Ali is the only choice. Amazon doesn't have everything.

As a general rule, I have not seen anything on AliExpress that can not also be found in our local national economy. I'm sure there exceptions to that, but they are very few.

You're not successfully debating your point for people in North America, the UK or the EU.

 

[jayjr1105]

I build my own custom Gameboy flash cartridges, some of the chips need sourced from aliexpress, it's literally the only option as 5v logic isn't in production anymore.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I build my own custom Gameboy flash cartridges, some of the chips need sourced from aliexpress, it's literally the only option as 5v logic isn't in production anymore. View attachment 277371

Ok, now see, that is an EXTREME exception, not the rule. People don't commonly make stuff like this. And such is not the point of the discussion of this thread. TIM's are widely and abundantly available in most local economies. AliExpress does not and can not compete with that.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
It's always nice "not to mention ezpz" when people fill in a simple region to know where they're coming from in a point of view

Between amazon and USA ebay sellers I've not had a lot of reason to retry aliexpress after a first blunder in ali... customer support I'd rather skip fuck me twice attempts

 

[jayjr1105]

For bulk cheap paste, there is a new GD paste with better thermal conductivity in the GD line.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804837917990.html

GD-2 = 7.5 W/mK
GD007 = 6.8 W/mK
GD900 = 4.8 W/mK

But I prefer the Shin-Etsu 7921, it is super ultra mega dry/dense and we have to heat
the heatsink or CPU with heat gun or hair dryer to proper apply a thin layer.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804118261918.html

Some tests with GD pastes: (There is still no test for GD-2)

Thanks, ordered some. I'll report when I get em.

 

[KLiKzg]

eBay:
GD-2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/255027657952
Shin-Etsu x-23-7921-5 X23-79215 https://www.ebay.com/itm/255157521183

Don't get me wrong, but 6W/mK is totally comparable to MX-2.
But if I need to trust some bogus supplier from China or established from Swiss...even though Swiss is NOT in EU, I will as an EU citizen go with Arctic MX-2.

So far, all China products have been like their technology: invisible planes which can fly only without all fuel in plane or ships deployed on field without the radar.
But that is how China works...says they have the biggest navy, while most of their ships are nothing more then "fishing boats".

One of those sellers isn't trustworthy and neither of them ship from somewhere other than China. 30 days shipping from China and $30 for 10grams? There are better TIMs for less money and faster shipping. No thanks.

Exactly...as Arctic 30g here in EU costs about ~17€, while for ~30€ I can get 65g MX-2 paste.

 

[Pictus]

Don't get me wrong, but 6W/mK is totally comparable to MX-2.
But if I need to trust some bogus supplier from China or established from Swiss...even though Swiss is NOT in EU, I will as an EU citizen go with Arctic MX-2.

So far, all China products have been like their technology: invisible planes which can fly only without all fuel in plane or ships deployed on field without the radar.
But that is how China works...says they have the biggest navy, while most of their ships are nothing more then "fishing boats".


Exactly...as Arctic 30g here in EU costs about ~17€, while for ~30€ I can get 65g MX-2 paste.

Shin-Etsu is a big hightec Japanese chemical company

https://www.shinetsu.co.jp/en/company/history/

As for the 6 W/mK, those numbers we see don't mean much because we don't know the protocols on how they were obtained from.
IF you look/click at the first graphic from my previous post, you will see that Shin-Etsu 7921 has one of the best results(before baking).
In my own test Shin-Etsu 7921 6 W/mK worked better than Alseye T9+ Platinum 13.5 W/mK and Zezzio ZT-GX 14.3 W/mK that
seems to be a Thermalright TFX clone, because it feels, smells(clove) and behaves the same as TFX.

 

[chevy350]

Picked up some of this https://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Compound-Performance-Heatsink-Processor/dp/B09WQN3K83?th=1 after changing coolers in wife and I's comps. Have MX-5 on both atm, bought right after release and her cooler came off nice an easy and not dried out, mine on the other hand was dried and stuck which would explain the high temps last month or so. Saw the TC-P1800 and figured why not lol. Will get some before an afters when I give it a try in the next week or so

 

[natr0n]

You guys shouldnt worry about w/mk it doesnt mean much when you get down to it.

I have used gd-900,indium sheet foil, some custom pastes I have, etc

I have never used AS5 ever till now. I have used AS ceramique 1 and 2. AS5 is similar consistency and thick. I have to say its the best one next to gd-900. You can get the lowest temps possible with it.

 

[jayjr1105]

You guys shouldnt worry about w/mk it doesnt mean much when you get down to it.

I have used gd-900,indium sheet foil, some custom pastes I have, etc

I have never used AS5 ever till now. I have used AS ceramique 1 and 2. AS5 is similar consistency and thick. I have to say its the best one next to gd-900. You can get the lowest temps possible with it.

AS5 is a bit long in the tooth. Hasn't been relevant for a while, it's basically surviving based on it's recognizable name and nostalgia. It's not bad it's just that there are better carbon based pastes out there that cost less per gram, don't have a burn in/set time of 200 hours or have conductive properties (capacitive). I watch some tronics fix on youtube and I cringe every time he puts AS5 on a direct die PS4/Xbox, etc. surrounded by dozens of surface mount caps.

 

[freeagent]

AS5 is still ok for smaller core count CPUs. Even higher core counts are ok as long as you are not leaning on them too hard with extended limits. I am actually using Ceramique right now on my X3D. Its not bad, a couple of C off of what I am used to, but nothing drastic.

 

[natr0n]

AS5 is a bit long in the tooth. Hasn't been relevant for a while, it's basically surviving based on it's recognizable name and nostalgia. It's not bad it's just that there are better carbon based pastes out there that cost less per gram, don't have a burn in/set time of 200 hours or have conductive properties (capacitive). I watch some tronics fix on youtube and I cringe every time he puts AS5 on a direct die PS4/Xbox, etc. surrounded by dozens of surface mount caps.

Yeah it was expensive like $17-20 for 12grams on ebay. I got it from platinummicro apparently official reseller. I had to try it though. I lock my cpu to 90watts to save power btw.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

AS5 is a bit long in the tooth. Hasn't been relevant for a while, it's basically surviving based on it's recognizable name and nostalgia. It's not bad it's just that there are better carbon based pastes out there that cost less per gram, don't have a burn in/set time of 200 hours or have conductive properties (capacitive). I watch some tronics fix on youtube and I cringe every time he puts AS5 on a direct die PS4/Xbox, etc. surrounded by dozens of surface mount caps.

I still like AS5 for IHS processors (performs well enough and longevity is fantastic), but it's really not great for bare die.