Which one suits your rig better?
Which one suits your rig better?
Hello, you're considering thermal paste options for your 2-year-old machine. You've been using CoolerMaster ThermalFusion 400 and are curious if MX4 and Silver5 offer improvements over Thermalfusion 400. Additionally, you're using CoolerMaster Hyper412s and want to know which paste would yield the best performance for your setup.
grandgalaz :
jossrik :
At this stage of the game, all three options fall into the medium to low range for TIM. If you're planning a purchase, search for some nano diamond—it's currently my top choice for everyday use. The Thermal Grizzly is more expensive but would be your target if you want to go higher. On the positive side, among the three you mentioned, there will only be a small difference of about two degrees at most.
There isn't much chatter about diamond-based TIMs. What makes you think they're better than Arctic MX-4? Let me know.
Mostly it's personal taste. From a physics standpoint, diamond offers good thermal transfer, and it's actually one of the better non-synthetic materials. Still, in terms of TIM performance, it's pretty close to the rest.
Currently, all three options fall into the medium to low range for TIM. If you're planning to purchase, search for nano diamond, which is my top choice for everyday use. The Thermal Grizzly is more suited for higher-end needs, while the others are quite close in price and performance.
The CM TIM is okay. However, if you need to purchase new TIM, then either of those options you mentioned are great choices. The MX-4 offers the advantage of being non-electrically conductive if you're not careful. I've tried both and prefer both, but I chose the MX-4 since I use it frequently and tend to be careless.
Jossrik explains that at this stage of the game, all three options fall into the medium to low range for TIM. He suggests looking for a nano diamond if you're planning to buy, as it's currently his top choice for everyday use. The Thermal Grizzly is recommended for those aiming for higher performance, while the Arctic MX-4 is mentioned as a more advanced option. He notes that the differences between these models are minimal, usually just a couple of degrees or margin of error.
grandgalaz :
Jossrik, at this stage of the game, all three options fall within the medium to low range for TIM. If you're planning to purchase, search for some nano diamond—it's currently my top choice for everyday use. The Thermal Grizzly is a bit more premium, but it sets a high standard. On the positive side, among the three you mentioned, there will be only a couple of degrees of difference at most.
There isn't much discussion about diamond-based TIMs. What makes you think they're better than Arctic MX-4? Can you explain?
It's mostly a matter of personal taste. From a physics standpoint, diamond offers good thermal transfer, and it's one of the better non-synthetic options. However, in terms of TIM performance, it matches the rest of the mid-range products fairly well. Some experiments have shown that alternatives like peanut butter or toothpaste can work similarly to lower-end materials. When applying them, it seems you need a paste with good consistency and pressure between the heatsink and processor—unless you're going for top-tier cooling, the quality paste can vary by 5 to 7 degrees from cheaper options. It's not about cost alone, but about getting enough without risking damage.
I'm not sure if even a small amount of TIM is an issue. I experimented a bit and cleaned the previously used paste from both cooler and CPU surfaces using the edge of a credit card, removing only what was left in the tiny pores of the metal (as Arctic Silver describes 'tinting'). After reassembly, idle and load temperatures remained within normal ranges, even with a 125W CPU.
I'm not sure if even a small amount of TIM is an issue. I experimented a bit and cleaned the paste from both cooler and CPU surfaces using the edge of a credit card, removing only what was left in the tiny pores of the metal (as Arctic Silver describes 'tinting'). After reassembling it, idle and load temperatures remained normal, even with a 125W CPU. Don't worry, I've done this before too—my previous test (on YouTube) showed that insufficient TIM didn't significantly affect coverage between the sink and processor, suggesting very little was actually used since strong pressure would cover most of the chip.
Jossrik is discussing cooling options for Tim's game, focusing on the performance of different materials and processes. He compares nano diamond, Thermal Grizzly, and diamond-based TIMs, noting their price ranges and thermal efficiency. He mentions personal preference and the importance of proper pressure without damaging components. He also asks about the best process—pea/cross or zig zag—for achieving optimal results with MX-4 and diamond TIMs.
At this stage of the game, all three options fall within the medium to low range for TIM. If you're planning to purchase, search for a nano diamond—it's currently my top choice for everyday use. The Thermal Grizzly is more on the higher side, serving as your benchmark. On the positive side, among these three, the differences are likely to be only a couple of degrees at most.
There isn't much discussion about diamond-based TIMs. What makes you think they're superior to Arctic MX-4? Please clarify.
Personally, it comes down to preference. From a physics standpoint, diamond offers good thermal conductivity, making it one of the better non-synthetic options. However, in terms of TIM performance, it matches the rest of the mid-range products quite well. Some experiments have shown that alternatives like peanut butter or toothpaste can perform similarly to budget options. In practice, what you see on application is about maintaining adequate pressure without risking shorts—just ensure you're not too short or too long. The ideal paste should provide consistent performance, with a focus on pressure rather than cost.
If this is the case, I believe the MX-4 could also deliver solid results. I'll keep an eye on diamond TIMs if I encounter more impressive outcomes.
Lastly, which method—pea/cross, zig zag, or others—yields the best results with MX-4 and diamond TIMs?
With thicker pastes, I use a small pea in the center, then gently twist the heatsink slightly after tightening. For thinner pastes, I apply multiple light lines of paste across the entire surface.