A Thermal Paste question

[drneroli]

Another dim sounding question, again, i'm new to this. I'm going to be buying the Zalman CNPS5X CPU Cooler but I can't seem to find out anywhere if the thermal paste that comes with it is any good, is there anyone about who has bought said cooler, used said paste and were happy with the result?

 

[aldan]

there is not a whole lot of difference between pastes.i would use what comes with it.

 

[avenseth12]

Agree there is not a lot of difference between pastes. As with any product they "pump up" their benefits over their competitors.

 

[Vosgy]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-performance-benchmark,3616.html
All I got.

 

[nostall]

Looking at the picture of the Zalman mentioned, and also this MaximumPC article, I don't think I would use the Zalman paste; looks like it comes in a little plastic tube and could very well be the same stuff mentioned in the MPC article.
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/geek_tested_17_thermal_pastes_face

The other guys are right, usually there isn't much difference in thermal paste; but why take a chance. If you are really sold on the Zalman, then get some Arctic Silver 5, or Tuniq 2 or 4.
Have you considered the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO? A little more money but the package is complete and it does an excellent job of cooling.
This is at Newegg but using www.pcpartpicker.com you can find a seller of your choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

 

[drneroli]

To be brutally honest the main reason i'm not getting the Hyper 212 Evo is that I don't know if it will fit over the RAM i'm getting

 

[nostall]

To be brutally honest the main reason i'm not getting the Hyper 212 Evo is that I don't know if it will fit over the RAM i'm getting

That's not brutal honesty, that is a very important consideration. I use Arctic Silver 5 if that is any help. I don't spread it, nor use the line method, I simply place a drop about the size of a BB or grain of rice in the middle of the CPU and mount the cooler; the pressure from mounting and the heat of the CPU will spread it.
Good luck.

 

[drneroli]

Indeed, i've done my homework regarding spreading and I should be alright, I have put that arctic compound on my shopping list and have checked in a different thread if the Hyper 212 Evo would fit over the RAM I plan to get, it will it seems.

 

[nostall]

Indeed, i've done my homework regarding spreading and I should be alright, I have put that arctic compound on my shopping list and have checked in a different thread if the Hyper 212 Evo would fit over the RAM I plan to get, it will it seems.

If you get the Hyper you won't need the Arctic as it come with a quality paste.
Good luck with the build. Let us know how it turns out.