IC Diamond Test Results

[Eithelwulf]

ok even tho they are flawed by the cooler issue i mentioned here are the results
i used prine 95 to stress the cpu and CPUID hardware monitor for the temps.

Zalman Super thermal grease
Ambient Temp, 26c
Idle Temp Core 0, 40c
Idle Temp Core 1, 40c
Load Temp Core 0, 79c
Load Temp Core 1, 77c

IC Diamond
Ambient Temp, 24c
Idle Temp Core 0, 35c
Idle Temp Core 1, 35c
Load Temp Core 0, 65c
Load Temp Core 1, 64c

As you can see 5 degree drop at idle and a massive 14 degree drop at load on one core 13 on the other core.

 

[JofaMang]

Yay, my tube showed up this morning, a day I just happened to have off. Game on~

PhII 965 X4 c3 stepping
Cooler Master Hyper 212+ Push/Pull 90CFm CM LED 120mm x2.
Gigabyte GA-780G-UD3H AM2+ DDR2 Mobo

All tests done with CnQ and C1E disabled, using HWMonitor Pro for temp monitoring. For idle temps, no less than 15minutes of inaction after boot up with the lowest temp of the last 10mins before observation. Load temps Max recorded using P95 Small FFTs for no less than 1 hour. Central Air Conditioning/heating for a stable ambient temp of 24c, open case for the benches. The AS5 temps were recorded a few months ago after 3weeks cure time, the MX-2 and ICD24 were both recorded on the same day, the MX-2 a week after application and the ICD24 3 hours after application (2h of which was running P95 OC'd). I have a lot more data on the AS5, but trimmed the information that I didn't mirror in the time I had today.

Each TIM was applied with the same DHT razorblade method: gaps between heatpipes filled, excess removed with razorblade, one thin line on each heatpipe for about 1/2 the heatpipe length in the center, CPU cleaned and the HSF applied. I also let the ICD24 applied to my HSF sit in the air for about 10mins before installing onto my motherboard.

Ambient 24c for all tests

3.4ghz @ 1.312v

ICD24
Idle: 31c
Load: 45c

MX-2
Idle: 33c
Load: 45c

AS5
Idle: 31c
Load: 47c

3.6ghz @ 1.364v

ICD24
Idle: 33c
Load: 49c

MX-2
Idle: 35c
Load: 51c

AS5
Idle: 34c
Load: 54c

3.8ghz @ 1.408v

ICD24
Idle: 34c
Load: 54c

MX-2
Idle: 36c
Load: 55c

AS5
Idle: 35c
Load: 57c


On the DHT grove Razor method: I have gotten very consistent at applying TIM using this way, but ICD24 viscosity made it quite challenging. The first time I took too long, and it thickened up and I had to start over, due to it balling up when trying to remove the excess. I was quicker about it the second time, and it was far easier with an attention to swiftness. I like the temps I am getting, and feel pretty good about the product in my limited time so far, but the viscosity makes it a bit tougher to recommend for DHT HSF usage. It's not a deal breaker, but another slowpoke like myself may waste an application in learning not to dillydally while applying the product.

This is my first time using it, and won't be removing it until I replace the CPU most likely, so I haven't any experience with abrasion issues.

 

[Shadow703793]

Observational Request - I would appreciate any observations on wear and tear from polishing on any laser etched lettering. Nobody has has complained for the last couple of years and this has not been my experience but a few isolated incidents of late have drawn our attention. Some thermal compounds are are by nature identical with polishing compounds, ceramic or oxide particles suspended in a fluid. I have anecdotal reports of compounds like Arctic Alumina which is a ceramic having the same kind of effect and believe it to be a non issue however being the manufacturer we would be remiss if we did not check it out.

Our position on it is that abrasives in order to work have to "move" and in the normal course of application and removal it is a non issue. When it becomes an issue seems to be in case of people doing frequent multiple installs and removals, perhaps overworking the compound such as what a reviewer would do when running multiple tests causing wear and tear most likely what you would see with most other compounds although with diamond it probably would happen faster. In any event depending on feedback we would put up an advisory on our site not to overwork the paste on installation and removal.

:lol: Doesn't mater to some people who lap their CPUs/Heatsinks. Yes, it DOES VOID the warranty 😛

 

[Shadow703793]

More Results:

Test set up: AMD Phenom X6 1055T at 2.8Ghz (Stock). Ambient temp was ~24.4C(76F). The TX2 was cured for about a week. The CPU heatsink was Core Contact Freezer 120mm. CnQ enabled. Load testing done with OCCT.

Temp results for TX2:

Idle: 29C
Load: 45C

Temp results for IC Diamond:

Idle: 29C
Load: 42C

Results:

At load, the IC Diamond was 3C cooler than the TX2. At idle there was no difference in temps.

 

[Zinosys]

NOTE: The structure of this is funny because it was originally a mini-review destined to go on frozentek.com.

I'll make this review short and sweet, because nobody likes reading ridiculously long reviews.

Testing Procedure:
GPU: Sapphire 5770 Vapor-X
Clock speeds: 930 gpu/1360 memory
Fan speed: 50% fixed throughout all tests
Load test: MSI Kombustor @ 1280*1024/Xtreme Burning Mode/Post Processing/4xMSAA/OpenGL 3
Curing Time: No curing time was required for each thermal paste.

TIMs used:
-Stock Sapphire 5770 Vapor-X TIM
-Arctic Cooling MX-2
-Arctic Cooling MX-3
-Innovation Cooling IC24

Application Method:
Spread a paper-thin layer of TIM over the GPU die, then make contact with the heatsink.

IDLE test results:
(Temperatures measured after 2 minutes of idle time after startup)

[cpp]STOCK------------------------------ 30C
MX-2 ----------------------------- 29C
MX-3 ----------------------------- 29C
IC24 ----------------------------- 29C [/cpp]
LOAD test results:
(Temperatures measured after 5 minuts of load time with MSI Kombustor)

[cpp]STOCK-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 74C
MX-2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 72C
MX-3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 71.5C
IC24 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 69.5C[/cpp]


Conclusion:
IC24 is our clear winner as far as temperatures. It should be noted that IC24 is thick and slightly difficult to apply, and a little harder to clean than the other thermal pastes. But it's performance is unparalleled compared to the other pastes, dropping a full 4.5 degrees from the stock paste and two degrees from Arctic Cooling MX-3.

At load, the IC Diamond was 4.5C cooler than the stock TIM and 2C cooler than MX-3. At idle there was no difference in temps save the 1C difference from the stock TIM.

 

[Zinosys]

Thanks people for taking the time to test - I have added a Observational Request to the intro so please take note

Observational Request - I would appreciate any observations on wear and tear from polishing on any laser etched lettering. In any event depending on feedback we would put up an advisory on our site not to overwork the paste on installation and removal.

This is one reason we do these giveaways is to investigate things like this and improve use and application of our product.

I DID notice that after removing and applying the IC7 thermal paste, there were some fine surface scratches in my GPU die, but the laser-etched lettering certainly didn't disappear. Take it as a grain of salt, as the scratches were very, very shallow, and didn't affect the lettering at all. I'm pretty sure this happened because I press into the paste (as to make a seal with the die) when I remove it, so it comes off cleanly. This probably had some abrasion effect on the die.

But again, just take it as a grain of salt. Nothing serious at all, just surface scratches.

@builderbobftw, go for it. You'll thank yourself later when you repaste your GPU. Most modern coolers are easy to disassemble. The Vapor-X coolers typically only need four screws removed, for example. Plus, IC7 isn't electrically conductive (right? :\) so there's not too much to worry about save a bad application.

Just my $.02.

Cheers.

 

[Derbixrace]

Ok, got finished testing this TIM and i must say that im really impressed

Used it on my Q6600 @ 3.3Ghz @ 1.31V with a Zalman CNPS9500AT CPU cooler (same settings for both TIM's) and i compared the IC Diamond 24 Carat to Stars DRG99 Thermal paste (white glue lol) and as i said i got impressive results IMO

I put 100% load with Prime95 small FFTs and monitored my temps with RealTemp.

Ambient temp was about 25C.

Temps in Celsius:

Stars DRG99 idle:

Core 0: 40
Core 1: 39
Core 2: 37
Core 3: 37

Stars DRG99 load:

Core 0: 68
Core 1: 67
Core 2: 65
Core 3: 65

Now lets see by how much the IC Diamond raped the "white glue" 😉

IC Diamond 24 Carat idle:

Core 0: 39
Core 1: 38
Core 2: 37
Core 3: 36

IC Diamond 24 Carat load:

Core 0: 61
Core 1: 60
Core 2: 59
Core 3: 59

Well on idle the IC Diamond beat it by about 1C avg but on load it raped it by a massive avg of 7C!

Both TIM's were applied and tested on the same evening.

I must say (again) that im very impressed with this product and im probably gonna buy it in the future if i can find it in finland 😉

thx for letting me test this product IC, you have done a great job! 😀

 

[letsrahk]

System tested Core i5 750 stock, Prolimatech Megahalem with 2 Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP-14

I'm reporting average temps of the 4 cores using Real Temp in Celsius:

Pre-IC7
Compound: Prolimatech PK-1
Abient Temp: 20
Idle Temp: 24
Load Temp: 51.5

IC7
Ambient Temp: 20
Idle Temp: 24
Load Temp: 51


Idle: no change
Load: -0.5C

Well, I am slightly disappointed although an improvement is an improvement. I wonder though, if it may be partly due to I was already running pretty cool and I've read that temps below 50 aren't that accurate to begin with and at load I was around 50 or higher on the cores. I may get around to retesting once I start overclocking this system.

 

[Eithelwulf]

Could you guys that have tested on GPU please go to the following thread and give me a little advice. I did not want to clog up the results thread with my questions but the right people dont seem to have read the thread.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282491-10-useing-diamond

 

[Shadow703793]

^ Post it in the US Forum. Currently, that post is in the UK Forum. I don't read the UK Forum.

 

[Eithelwulf]

^ Post it in the US Forum. Currently, that post is in the UK Forum. I don't read the UK Forum.

how i post in us forum? i dont see where to change from uk and didnt know i could
*After thought* Pm me the answer dont want to hog posts here
Scratch that i see how to do little arrow next to uk flag bring up others see you there
Edit #3 hummm nope that dint work end up back in same place what ever flag i click, just in a new window 🙁 even tryed change addy from .co.uk to .com but get redir

 

[Derbixrace]

well, now i have tried it on my XFX 5850 XXX edition too i couldnt resist after the nice results with the CPU temps 😀

5850 was at stock settings with a constant 35% fan (reference cooler), i put 100% load on the GPU with MSI kombustor (same as furmark i think) with 1280x1024, 8xAA and Xtreme burning mode. Temperatures were monitored with MSI Afterburner.

this test was between the 5850 stock paste and IC Diamond 24 Carat. Ambient was about 23C, ok lets begin 😉

5850 stock paste idle: 38C

5850 stock paste load: 75C

lets rape the stock paste shall we 😀

IC Diamond on 5850 idle: 35C

IC Diamond on 5850 load: 67C


as you can see the IC Diamond wins with 3C at idle and a massive 8C! at load


well, well what do you guys think? pretty nice results yes? 😀

thx and great job again IC 😀

 

[mindless728]

Video Cards:
GPU1: Sapphire 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB, Bottom Card
GPU2: Sapphire 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB, Top Card

Testing Conditions Idle:
Windows Desktop 30 minutes
Minimum Temp

Testing Conditions Load:
Furmark Multi-GPU 30 Minutes
Maximum Temp
Resolution: 1280x720
Xtreme Burning Mode
Displacement Mapping
Post FX
8x MSAA

Results:
Compound: Stock
Ambient: 26C
Idle GPU1 Temp: 46C
Idle GPU2 Temp: 54C
Load GPU1 Temp: 78C
Load GPU2 Temp: 85C

Compound: IC7
Ambient: 26C
Idle GPU1 Temp: 45C
Idle GPU2 Temp: 52C
Load GPU1 Temp: 73C
Load GPU2 Temp: 82C

 

[IC Diamond]

Updated results tally in the first post-any corrections or errors let me know

also added

Added 5/22 - Cure Time- Cure Time averages 2 hours for 1-2 C improvement in most situations for sinks with adequate pressure loading with maybe .5C more overnight.

Lightly pressure loaded sinks may take a day or more depending on the amount of pressure

 

[letsrahk]

Mine was -0.5C, not -0.05C. Still not great but definitely better than that heh!

 

[IC Diamond]

Mine was -0.5C, not -0.05C. Still not great but definitely better than that heh!

Noted and updated on my spreadsheet and will show up on the next update

 

[Zinosys]

^^Cool.

@IC Diamond, Since you updated the curing time, I'll see if I can do a retest in the next few days because the ICD is still on my GPU.

I just noticed I'm on the CPU list, I belong on the GPU list... Sorry about that. 🙁

 

[JDFan]

Sorry for the bit of delay in posting results (been pretty busy and wanted to ensure testing was conducted properly)

OPTIONAL INFO: PROCESSOR : Phenom II X3 720 4th Core unlocked , VOLTS/CLOCKS : 3.214Ghz. @ 1.312V , HEATSINK/COOLING USED : CoolerMaster TX3 with 2 92mm Fans in push\pull - 1 Front 120mm intake, 1-rear 120mm Exhaust, side panel left with no fan but open grill for 120mm fan, Sapphire 5770 with egg shape cooler and 1\2 slot open exhaust on back panel.

Pre-IC7
Compound: Cooler Master Stock Paste included with TX3
Abient Temp: 26.6C (80F)
Idle Temp: 39.0C (102F)
Load Temp: 59.0C (138F)

IC7
Ambient Temp: 26.6C (80F)
Idle Temp: 36.0C (97F)
Load Temp: 55.0C (131F)

Ambient temp is room Temp reported by digital thermostat in the room
Load Temps are after 1 hour Prime 95 small FFT's while test was still running
Idle Temps are after 30 minute cool down after running Prime95 test
Temps are as reported using Gigabyte's Easytune6 HW Monitor (CPU temperature)

So with the IC diamond paste the temps were improved approx 3C at idle and 4C under prime95 over the cooler master thermal paste.

 

[videl]

Cool...I will soon repaste my cpu when I get some time and I'll put the results here...
I got my gpu repasted but detailed results we be posted here later...

 

[alyoshka]

Ok , Here's what My system looked like before the stress tests and after 3 hours of running it, with the standard TP which came with my Board.
Before beginning the stress test with Prime95

After 3 Hours

I must tell you that the ambient temp of the room that I work in is 45Deg C...... a very hot environment.

 

[Computerrock1]

My AMD Phenom II x2 550 BE @ Stock w/Rosewill z5 Heatsink
Pre-IC7
Compound: Stock Compound
Abient Temp: 26 C
Idle Temp: 34 C
Load Temp: 42 C

IC7
Ambient Temp: 26 C
Idle Temp: 32 C
Load Temp: 35 C

I am amazed, simply amazed at the difference a simple thing such as thermal compound can make. Thank you Andrew, President of IC for providing this wake up call.

Edit: Typo fixed

 

[Shadow703793]

^ You can't go below ambient temps (as in you can't have a 22C Idle temp). You messed up, probably 32C I'm guessing 😛.

 

[Computerrock1]

Woops, gotta hate typos!

 

[builderbobftw]

^ You can't go below ambient temps (as in you can't have a 22C Idle temp). You messed up, probably 32C I'm guessing 😛.

You can with a aquiarium chiller

 

[tecmo34]

All results are at an ambient temp of 24C after 1 hour of Prime95 Small FFT using Real Temp to monitor my i7 920 @ 3.4 GHz

AS5: (Pre-IC Diamond)
Idle: 38C
Load: 68C

IC Diamond
Idle: 34C
Load: 62C