Arctic Silver

**Vamp** · 02-01-2006, 04:27 PM

Right, it's pushing 42 degrees (Celcius) here in Cape Town. My CPU is running at 68 and it's threshold is 70. Time for some Thermal Paste...How much of a difference should it make?

**Seedler** · 02-01-2006, 05:26 PM

Not too much, but you should consider getting the Artic Silver 5, what I'm using for like 10 bucks. It's probably the best thermal paste out there.

**Snee** · 02-01-2006, 05:27 PM

Some say up to 10 degrees Celsius with AS5 or AS ceramique.

I'm not sure about that particular number, but the temperature did drop noticeably when I switched to AS5 from some generic stuff that came with my barebone.

It wouldn't hurt if you got some, but make sure you follow the instructions for it properly. If you don't, and instead put on too much of it or something, it won't work as well.

**Virtualbody1234** · 02-01-2006, 07:45 PM

You would get better results by cleaning out the dust from the heatsink and improving the case airflow.

**suprafreak6** · 02-01-2006, 10:32 PM

agreed, tidy up them wires and hook up a fan

**ajg** · 02-02-2006, 01:30 AM

Seedler, is as5 better than ceramique? I heard that the conductivity of the silver can possible cause damage to the cpu, whereas ceramique doen't conduct electricity, and performs nearly as well?

**clocker** · 02-02-2006, 01:03 PM

If all you change is the TIM I'd be surprised if you saw any change at all.
IMO, the benefits of AS5 over generic white paste are minimal and the supposed drop in temps after the 200 hour "breakin period" has never occured for me.

YMMV.

**Seedler** · 02-02-2006, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by ajg

I heard that the conductivity of the silver can possible cause damage to the cpu

Nope, if you do everything right, that possibility is smaller than like winner the lottery. I use as5, and it performs well IMO. I haven't had a problem with it. If you do decide to use it though, be sure to use only a SMALL amount. More is not better in this case.

**Snee** · 02-03-2006, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Seedler

Originally Posted by ajg

I heard that the conductivity of the silver can possible cause damage to the cpu

Nope, if you do everything right, that possibility is smaller than like winner the lottery. I use as5, and it performs well IMO. I haven't had a problem with it. If you do decide to use it though, be sure to use only a SMALL amount. More is not better in this case.

It's not conductive in its own at all, the only reason it'd be conductive would be if it'd been contaminated with something else, I think.

**fkdup74** · 02-04-2006, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by SnnY

It's not conductive in its own at all, the only reason it'd be conductive would be if it'd been contaminated with something else, I think.

from AS's site:

Caution:
While much safer than silver greases engineered for high electrical conductivity, Arctic Silver thermal compound should be kept away from electrical traces, pins, and leads. The compound is slightly capacitive and could cause problems if it bridged two close-proximity electrical paths.

also from AS website:

On systems measuring actual internal core temperatures via the CPU's internal diode, the measured temperature will often drop 2C to 5C over this "break-in" period.

I might have seen around a 2 or 3 degree drop, can't remember
but definately not 10