Question about thermal paste

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I've been wanting to reseat my processor with some AS5 but after looking around to buy some I'v got a couple of questions:

1) Whats the difference between Arctic Ceramique and AS5?

2) Whats the best way to remove the paste from the processor and the HSF?

I know that its good to heat up the old thermal paste (which is the stuff that came with my Zalman 7700). Also when it comes to applying (eg AS5) do you apply to CPU only or HSF only or both? Also with AS5 is it a small grain of rice amount spread evenly as usual?

Thanks all.
 
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sanofi said:
I've been wanting to reseat my processor with some AS5 but after looking around to buy some I'v got a couple of questions:

1) Whats the difference between Arctic Ceramique and AS5?

2) Whats the best way to remove the paste from the processor and the HSF?

I know that its good to heat up the old thermal paste (which is the stuff that came with my Zalman 7700). Also when it comes to applying (eg AS5) do you apply to CPU only or HSF only or both? Also with AS5 is it a small grain of rice amount spread evenly as usual?

Thanks all.

1) Not sure about the difference between AS5 and AC but I think it is very similar.

2) I use Isopropyl alcohol to clean my cpu and heat sink.

3) If you have an A64 just apply a small rice size amount to the middle of the cpu then place your heat sink on. The contact between the two spreads the AS5 out, no need to apply a think layer over the whole cpu.

Full instructions are at Artic Silver website.

Michael
 
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Yeah AS5 is slightly better, but some find it easier (me included) to apply ceramique, and is better in extreme cooling (i.e. when condensation is involved.
 
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Cyber-Mav said:
if applied properly there is not much difference between these thermal compounds at all.
that was a waste of £5 then, was running out anyway so thought i would buy some as so many people see huge differences in temps.
 
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AS5 will show a benefit over generic stuff if applied correctly. A curing time of upto 200hrs is needed to see max benefit.

AS ceramique has no metals in it and will not pose a hazard to your components through conductivity. I personally havn't has a problem with AS5 either but then I dont go squirting it all over my motherboard :p

I have found ASC to be easier to apply than AS5 but AS5 has given slightly better temps (tried multiple mounts) on both air and water. The best improvement, assuming both mounts were perfect are going to be 1-5c@ load, which may not seem a lot but it could make the difference between your pc being stable or BSODing.

Isopropyl Alcohol is by far the best way to remove thermal paste imo, thats after trying specialist TIM cleaner, Acetone(nail varnish remover) and even a little vodka! Get IA from a local specialist electonics store.
 
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I got my isopropyl alcohol from a chemists/pharmacy, but I tried like 10 stores before I could find any! Very common stuff in USA, but not easy to get in UK. Definatly worth it though, I use it on almost everything.
 
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Is isopropyl alcohol not also called methylated spirit? If so (fairly sure it is) then you can get them at camping stores as is can be used as a burner fuel (burns hot and clean). Just a quickie (sorry for hijacking a little) do the retail processors come with the HSF already applied or have you got to do that yourself? Thanks.
 
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Hidden Hippo said:
Is isopropyl alcohol not also called methylated spirit? If so (fairly sure it is) then you can get them at camping stores as is can be used as a burner fuel (burns hot and clean). Just a quickie (sorry for hijacking a little) do the retail processors come with the HSF already applied or have you got to do that yourself? Thanks.

Retail processors usually come with a thermal pad already applied to the base of the HSF.

Hmm I think I'll have to take a trip to the chemists.
 
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