AS 5 or Thermalgrease for Zalman VF900-cu?

[bxmedic]

Just got a Zalman VF900 cooler to replace the cooler on my rather warm 7900GTX. I forgot to get a new tube of Arctic Silver. I am wondering, would be any great difference in if I used the thermal grease that comes with the HSF? The other question I have is, does AS go bad? I have a tube that is about 3yrs old. I have always kept the cover on good and tight. Is it still ok to use?

 

[trixst4r]

The particles in AS5 seperate after a while, so if there is not much that tube left, I would push it all out, mix it up on a clean surface then put some on the HSF and toss the leftover out.

just my opinion

 

[die4die]

anyone tried the new thermal compound: Coollaboratory Liquid Metal Thermal Interface Material

it seems to be many times better than AS-5...the only bad thing about it is that you can't use it on Aluminum base heatsink.

 

[306maxi]

The particles in AS5 seperate after a while, so if there is not much that tube left, I would push it all out, mix it up on a clean surface then put some on the HSF and toss the leftover out.

just my opinion

Do you have any proof of this?

 

[ANIA_fanboy]

anyone tried the new thermal compound: Coollaboratory Liquid Metal Thermal Interface Material

it seems to be many times better than AS-5...the only bad thing about it is that you can't use it on Aluminum base heatsink.

Maximum PC had an blurb about this stuff and I was really interested. It only offered a 1-2c difference in the temps but that could be the extra some would be looking for.

The only problem is the price per quantity. Its quite expensive.

As for the copper issue, I haven't heard that it can't be used with Aluminum but if your that into cooling you shouldn't have an aluminum cooler anyway 😀

 

[ANIA_fanboy]

The particles in AS5 seperate after a while, so if there is not much that tube left, I would push it all out, mix it up on a clean surface then put some on the HSF and toss the leftover out.

just my opinion

Do you have any proof of this?

Yes, I would be curious of the proof as well.

I know AS 5 takes a long time to "melt in" for max performance so the sitting around time seems odd.

But, please share the info! This would be good to know as true since I've had some AS5 around for about 1.5 years and was planning to use it on my next build.

 

[Herr_Fritz]

anyone tried the new thermal compound: Coollaboratory Liquid Metal Thermal Interface Material

it seems to be many times better than AS-5...the only bad thing about it is that you can't use it on Aluminum base heatsink.

Very interesting, hopefully more reviews will pop up as entheusiasts hear about this stuff.

 

[xiii]

anyone tried the new thermal compound: Coollaboratory Liquid Metal Thermal Interface Material

it seems to be many times better than AS-5...the only bad thing about it is that you can't use it on Aluminum base heatsink.

Just to add another one to the mix, the Zalman ZM-STG1 seems pretty good and with the brush it really helps to be less messy. Review

 

[trixst4r]

The particles in AS5 seperate after a while, so if there is not much that tube left, I would push it all out, mix it up on a clean surface then put some on the HSF and toss the leftover out.

just my opinion

Then what happens with the stuff on your heatsink after a couple of years? Are you loosing performance after a certain period of time? How do you know when you order a tube that it hasn't been sitting on a shelf in a wherehouse for the past year going bad? I would think if it had problems with seperating like that that the manufacture would put a exsperation date on it.

Google is your friend. http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

I really think you were trying to make a fool out of me and note that I wrote "just my opinion" on what to do with it. Also if you do some research and not randomly post like an idiot, AS5 thickens after burn in and stays in a final consistency form that will most likely not seperate and if it does, then the heating and cooling will definitely circulate the particles back into the mix.

The problem he was asking if that if it was sitting on a shelf for a couple of years, nothing to do with when it is being put to use.

And as for sitting on the warehouse self. Tough luck.

I am glad to share the info instead of making a fool out of someone else's opinion.

 

[ANIA_fanboy]

Trixst4r, you took it way to seriously! (at least my post)

I wasn't trying to flame you or pile on I was asking for your (or perhaps a friends) experience.

You stated something the seemed interesting but with nothing to support it. I think thats all we were asking for.

People don't just have random opinions. I assumed you had some more information.

 

[trixst4r]

Trixst4r, you took it way to seriously! (at least my post)

I wasn't trying to flame you or pile on I was asking for your (or perhaps a friends) experience.

You stated something the seemed interesting but with nothing to support it. I think thats all we were asking for.

People don't just have random opinions. I assumed you had some more information.

My apologize. I think I did take it too seriously. 😳

 

[wun911]

what are you going to do with the old stock cooler???

will it fit on a 7900GT considering they are kinda the same card???

Im wondering because the stock cooler on the 7900GT is a wuss and I think its holding me back from a good oc.

 

[ANIA_fanboy]

😀 We're all good here 😀

 

[bxmedic]

I have to save the stock cooler for warranty/RMA. Hopefully I'll never need to do that. There are a lot of aftermarket coolers for the 7900GT. Zalman and Arctic Cooling being the best.

BTW Thanx all for your help. Didn't mean to cause a ruckus. I just found out, eVGA is doing a "Reload" (Recall) for certian model # 7900GT's & 7900GXT with artifacting issues. I'm stress testing it now with the stock cooler and stock clock, using loops of 3Dmark06 Deepfreeze. If I don't get any artifacting I'll keep it, change the cooler, then OC the &$%# out of it. :twisted: :twisted: