This is entirely possible - but note it is the "excess" TIM that gets pumped out - not the TIM that is deposited in the microscopic pits and valleys. So the TIM that's left behind is still occupying those pits and valleys, preventing insulating air from getting in there. In other words, that TIM is still doing its job!
I find that comment ludicrous. Again, look at the Tom's Hardware link oobymach posted (actually first posted by dirtyferret way back in post # 35 and check out his Hardware Secrets chart in post #40). In the TH chart AS5 hit 37.2°C while Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut was less than 3 degrees better at 34.8°C.
And to your 20 year nonsense, note there are literally dozens of TIMs produced by big names in the industry (Be Quiet, Corsair, Delid, Akasa, Xilence, Enermax, Cooler Master, OCZ, Zalman, Inter-Tech, Evercool, Silverstone, Koening - to name but a few) with TIMs that came out long after AS5 that scored worse than AS5. How could that be if the fact AS5 uses a 20 year old formula mattered, as your claim implies?
Look at your own Guru3D chart and again, if you remove the liquid-metal contenders, AS5 comes in within 5 - 6 degrees of the top rated and that is giving it time to fully cure!
I say once again, if you NEED those few degrees between AS5 and the top contenders and if you NEED those few degree you get from curing, YOU HAVE FAILED to set up your case cooling properly or YOU HAVE FAILED to properly apply the TIM. Or your vanity puts too much emphasis on bragging rights!
The title is not, "Is AS5 any good?" Yet, starting with your 2nd post in this thread, it seems you have been on a campaign to discredit AS5.
Frankly, your comment you would not use AS5 because it has silver, a metal, in it makes it clear, you really don't understand AS5 or TIMs in general. FTR, AS5 is more than 99% silver - and that's a very good thing!
Again, so what? And for the record, you do NOT have to get it "hot". All you have to do is use the computer normally for a few sessions - which includes letting the computer go to sleep for a few minutes to cool, then wake it up again. This is why maximum curing can occur in as little as 50 hours. 200 hours is the extreme example and in any event, curing results in just a
few degrees improvement. No big deal!
This really is a no brainer, folks. With properly configured case cooling, and a proper application of TIM, your processor temps should be comfortably within the normal operating range
at first power up. If not,
you already failed to setup proper case cooling or
you failed to apply the TIM properly.
If the temps start out comfortably within the normal operating range, then if you use a TIM that has a curing period (as many do), then you know you will be rewarded with even a few degrees better cooling in a couple days - even though those degrees should not be needed.
I note, as anyone who's been around electronics for awhile knows, even your most basic
silicone TIM with simple zinc-oxide filler works great and is more than adequate for most CPU and GPU applications - in a properly cooled case, of course. Many even meet rigorous
Mil-Spec requirements. All these other TIMs are pretty much the invention of marketing weenies to appease the overclocking enthusiast seeking to eek out the lowest temps possible - again for bragging rights, not because those few degrees are "needed".
Yes, there are exceptions, but exceptions don't make the rule for the vast majority of users.
***
Because I am tired of repeating myself, I will say this once more, then step out of this thread. More important than the specific TIM is that you (1) use TIM and (2) apply it properly - and again, in a properly cooled case.
Have a good day.
