[Armchair Computerologist]

My intention is to reduce the need to reapply paste once the CPU and GPU waterblocks are installed (hard tubing without quick disconnects), so I'd like to know what people think is a good long-lasting paste to use for both of those cases.

Kryonaut crapped out on me by drying out in one of the tubes I had, so I've lost confidence in TG. It's also known to dry up in general. I've had good experience with Noctua NT-H1, but it's not necessarily the greatest. From what I've heard, Arctic's MX-5 is good, but there's also rumours about a recall for it being faulty.

Recommendations? Should I just stick with NT-H1 or MX-4? The NT-H2 seems to have very high thermal tolerance as well.

If you never want to have to worry about reapplying thermal paste. Ever. Then why not just use a graphite pad like Carbonaut. 9 out of ten computerlogists recommend it. the tenth one is busy worrying about which thermal paste to use. My use case is different though. I believe in the "Turn the damn computer on and just use it" philosophy and believe that temps aren't really that big of a deal when not doing intensive things like rendering. Also it eliminates the copper/aluminum problem of waterblocks, since the two surfaces never come into direct contact.

 

[J7SC]

Just checked around and MX-5 can't even be bought here in Canada. Out of stock everywhere unless I want to pay double the cost.
I might just go with NT-H2 instead. I had good results with NT-H1, and Noctua claims that NT-H2 is better in every way. Google seems to reaffirm that.
It's also not incredibly expensive like the alternatives.

I use either (the thicker) Gelid GC Extreme or MX5 for CPU and GPU dies. BTW, Arctic MX5 is available in Canada at Memory Express (at least out here, just checked).

 

[Imprezzion]

I find my large MX-5 tube has some mixing inconsistencies. There's some very oily spots in it and it seems poorly mixed. Performs well tho.

I still love Prolimatech PK-3 which, like NT-H1/H2 lasts forever even in a open tube and never needs replacing. Problem is. In the EU the 30 gram syringe I had for PK-3 isn't available anymore and I like to have a bulk TIM syringe for just maintenance and upgrade work on friends PC's and such.

 

[Paradigm Shifter]

A blast from the past, but I'm still a big fan of Arctic Silver Ceramique, despite it not being the best performing thermal paste on the market now. I still have a tube from... yikes, must be getting on 15 years ago which is still perfectly usable.

In going looking for it, though, I see that they've released a new version. Wonder what that's like.

 

[Shaded War]

I personally won't use MX-4 anymore. I'v had several applications slowly get worse and worse temps until it needs replacing. It says shelf life is super long but it seems to degrade. It was worse on GPUs and I'm not sure if that's because they usually run hotter or what.

I'v had GPUs drop 5-10°C just replacing the old MX-4 with paste from the same tube a year later. I'v since switched to kryonaut for everything and never had an issue after 3 years, plus temps are better.

 

[Blameless]

In going looking for it, though, I see that they've released a new version. Wonder what that's like.

It performs a bit better, but is considerably less viscous, even more 'tarry', and has a strangely pungent odor from whatever binder they are using. I prefer the old stuff for anything I would be inclined to use Ceramique for.

 

[T.Sharp]

1 vote for Gelid Extreme.
Cheap, proven, holds up for ages, within a degree of most of the "high end" pastes in tests.

Using KPx currently and it seems to hold up fine, but the price to performance isn't worth it compared to GC Extreme.

 

[Ichirou]

I just found some interesting thermal paste benchmarks. Noctua claims that their NT-H2 is around 1-2C better than their NT-H1.

Then I sourced some random results on Google for real world testing; multiple sources so that it wouldn't be "a single reviewer case."

If you were to round the results to the nearest degree instead of half-degree, you would see that, depending on the scenario, the NT-H2 either matches or is at worst 1C more than the Kryonaut, which also trades blows with KPx.

There is too much margin of error involved with measurements that it doesn't make sense trying to chase after that extra 1-2C with Kryonaut/KPx.
Of course, with something like an Alder Lake, the two may be a tiny bit better, but I imagine it would only be by an extra 1C.
But considering how there could be issues dealing with the latter two, the NT-H2 seems like the most logical choice for its safety and longevity.

 

[Nighthog]

I personally won't use MX-4 anymore. I'v had several applications slowly get worse and worse temps until it needs replacing. It says shelf life is super long but it seems to degrade. It was worse on GPUs and I'm not sure if that's because they usually run hotter or what.

I'v had GPUs drop 5-10°C just replacing the old MX-4 with paste from the same tube a year later. I'v since switched to kryonaut for everything and never had an issue after 3 years, plus temps are better.

MX-4 is too viscous and pumps out from the GPU. Thermal cycling will result in hotspots or areas where in the end there is "too little" or no contact.
I see MX-5 solve this, as when I used it on the CPU it dries up after a while unlike the MX-4 which stays fluid for eternity. So it won't be pumping out from after application through thermal cycles.

A bonus for MX-5 is you don't pull the CPU from the socket as often with it as MX-4 has a tendency on AM4 when it wants to suction force itself unto the cooler because it's so viscous as it is.

 

[jaydude]

in regards to Thermal Grizzly pastes, Kryonaut = Ice, Hydronaut = Water/AIO, Aeronaut = Air, I use Hydronaut for pretty much everything, people recommend Kryonaut but dont seem to realize Kryonaut is a special made paste designed with extreme cooling/liquid nitrogen in mind, its not for general use though it can be used, its just not made to get hotter then 80c.

 

[Rei86]

in regards to Thermal Grizzly pastes, Kryonaut = Ice, Hydronaut = Water/AIO, Aeronaut = Air, I use Hydronaut for pretty much everything, people recommend Kryonaut but dont seem to realize Kryonaut is a special made paste designed with extreme cooling/liquid nitrogen in mind, its not for general use though it can be used, its just not made to get hotter then 80c.

This is why they made a V2 of Kryonaut since everyone from Air, AIO, Custom, LN2 users was using it. Its pretty much an all in one like paste now. But I do believe even with the new one, no pump out effect but still need to reapply seems like once a year.

Spoiler: snip

I just found some interesting thermal paste benchmarks. Noctua claims that their NT-H2 is around 1-2C better than their NT-H1.

Then I sourced some random results on Google for real world testing; multiple sources so that it wouldn't be "a single reviewer case."

If you were to round the results to the nearest degree instead of half-degree, you would see that, depending on the scenario, the NT-H2 either matches or is at worst 1C more than the Kryonaut, which also trades blows with KPx.

There is too much margin of error involved with measurements that it doesn't make sense trying to chase after that extra 1-2C with Kryonaut/KPx.
Of course, with something like an Alder Lake, the two may be a tiny bit better, but I imagine it would only be by an extra 1C.
But considering how there could be issues dealing with the latter two, the NT-H2 seems like the most logical choice for its safety and longevity.

Yup.
You can also look at someone's review from a few years ago vs someone else testing the same product and sometimes they'll get wildly different results

 

[fastturtle]

I've been happy with MX-4 that I've used the last few years. Still good in the tube and didn't dry out or flake off an R5 1600 that was O'Cd heavily

 

[PCPanamaCrew]

for gpu gelid gc extreme other thermal pastes can cause pump out effect

 

[Pictus]

My intention is to reduce the need to reapply paste once the CPU and GPU waterblocks are installed (hard tubing without quick disconnects), so I'd like to know what people think is a good long-lasting paste to use for both of those cases.

For longevity and less "pump-out effect" Shin-Etsu 7921 probably is the choice.
It is made of polymer and will not dry like the other thermal pastes.
This is a YouTube video and I do not understand what the guy says, but a picture is worth a thousand words. 😁
The Shin-Etsu 7868 needs time for curing(Shin-Etsu 7921 does not), I don't know if this was taken into account in the test.


How to apply very dense paste like Shin-Etsu 7921.
The guy in the video used a hair dryer, but I would keep the hair dryer on...
Or apply into the heatsink instead the CPU and keep the dryer on heating the heatsink.

UPDATE:

Thermalright TF3 = Shin-Etsu 7921, but with the advantage of not get a fake paste.
Thermalright TFX = Zezzio ZT-GX

In the Chinese forums they are talking a lot about the new Honeywell PTM7950, it can last longer...
The film version is the way!
But it is more for direct die/high temperature like GPU.


From MSI Global English Forum
Around 22:00 Larid 780SP is 2 C higher than 7921/TFX without break-in or pump-out. 游戏本硅脂流失，导热性能不持久？相变材料与硅脂评测对比，霍尼韦尔7900sp 莱尔德780sp 信越7921 陶熙5888_哔哩哔哩_bilibili
Long term review, around 5:25, 7950 is 2C better than 780SP and those phase transition stuffs can survive over 10*24 hrs stress test. 霍尼韦尔7900SP、7950、莱尔德780相变导热材料与硅脂性能对比，长期测试及买家游戏本使用感受分析_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

 

[larvabom]

Over the past two decades I have used few different thermal pastes: MX-4 which btw. at the time was my favourite, Gelid Extreme another great paste, Noctua NT-H1, NT-H2, Kryonout/Extreme. And although, few years ago you could use any of them and the difference in performance would have been negligible due to less power hungry GPU's and CPU's today that is a different story.

Since 3 years my absolutely go thermal paste for both, CPU's and GPU's is Thermalright TFX. It works wonders, doesn't have pump out or degradation issue as you hear some of the high end pastes suffers from, It has been on my Strix's 3090 and 10900K almost 2 years now and absolutely no change in temperatures.

I am surprised that there isn't more hype over this paste, yes TFX is much thicker and a lot of people might struggle with that, but that's what makes TFX great and long lasting product, all you need is patients while applying and once you done, you don't have to worry of doing it again for probably decade.

 

[Rei86]

I am surprised that there isn't more hype over this paste, yes TFX is much thicker and a lot of people might struggle with that, but that's what makes TFX great and long lasting product, all you need is patients while applying and once you done, you don't have to worry of doing it again for probably decade.

Someone else recommend that on this forum along with Cooler Master Gel series (Specifically MasterGel Maker), and the Thermal Grizzly products.

Yes I have to agree it works, if you have products that gets tad hot using Noctua NH2 and MX5, switch on over... but you'll only see like at best single digit.

 

[ttnuagmada]

I recommend liquid metal for the GPU.

 

[SnakeAye]

Over the past two decades I have used few different thermal pastes: MX-4 which btw. at the time was my favourite, Gelid Extreme another great paste, Noctua NT-H1, NT-H2, Kryonout/Extreme. And although, few years ago you could use any of them and the difference in performance would have been negligible due to less power hungry GPU's and CPU's today that is a different story.

Since 3 years my absolutely go thermal paste for both, CPU's and GPU's is Thermalright TFX. It works wonders, doesn't have pump out or degradation issue as you hear some of the high end pastes suffers from, It has been on my Strix's 3090 and 10900K almost 2 years now and absolutely no change in temperatures.

I am surprised that there isn't more hype over this paste, yes TFX is much thicker and a lot of people might struggle with that, but that's what makes TFX great and long lasting product, all you need is patients while applying and once you done, you don't have to worry of doing it again for probably decade.

I've got TFX coming and want to use it on GPU and CPU (both will have a waterblock). Any tips for application? I've read things like put syringe in hot water, pre-heat the dies with a hairdryer...
Do you spread it with the spatula or pre-heat the heatsink too and just mount it?

How'd you go about it?
Thanks