TIM application vs TIM quality - intresting results

lemon07r

lemon07r

New Member
INFO: So basically I am comparing if TIM quality matters more than how it is applied (personally I think both is important). I had thought this was intresting so i had decided to share this.

My informal tests showed-
TEST SETUP: phenom II B45 3.15ghz x4 (multiplier @ x15.5), MSI 870G-45, zalman 7500 (All copper version), Prime95 (stress test), MSI OCenter (monitor temp)

TIM QUALITY RESULTS: I had been using some ok zalman thermal grease (1.2W/mK) which had been applied by finger for 4 months, so its been cured by now.
My temps were: 34'C Idle and 60'Load @ stock clock (3.15ghz)
[OC temps not available due to crashing]

TIM APPLICATION RESULTS: Today i had bought some cheaper TIM (Stars 66G) which had been the cheapest in the store (<0.65W/mK), I had wiped off the old zalman TIM with alcohol, and I had applied the cheaper TIM as flat as possible with my ID card.
My temps were: Unknown for stock clock (decided to OC straight away so the grease would settle in)
but it had idled at 24'C and loaded at 50'C OCed @ 3.255ghz stock voltage and multipier, FSB at 210(x15.5).
 
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You really shouldn't spread TIM with your finger. The grease on your skin plays havoc with that kind of thing. I even go so far as to not touch the bottom of my cooler/top of cpu when installing the heatsink. That could be one reason for your poor temps initially. Whether or not you should spread your paste is pretty hotly debated. By spreading it manually, you get air bubbles (And air is an insulator.) but then at the same time you get more thorough coverage. If you just put the heat sink on a glob of TIM, then you don't get air bubbles, and get a more even layer, but it may not cover all of the surface area. In your case, I'd try re-applying the first stuff again using the same method you used to apply this batch. That's the only way you'll be able to really tell if one is better than the other.
 
Don't touch TIM with your finger, always clean it with alcohol are some arcticlean or something, you don't need to spread it, the cooler does that for you, and less is more with TIM :)
 
Lol, it wasn't me that applied the TIM, I tried telling him "Don't do it, that's just dumb", but of course he didn't listen :p.
 
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