Is there really a difference in thermal compounds?

[chronicbucks]

my friend and I were arguing today, he was saying that using Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound drops temps significantly over other brands. He said this in response to me getting the Tuniq TX-2 Compound

can anyone weigh in on this?? is there a difference at all??

 

[smithereen]

http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?full=1&set_albumName=June2009ThermalPasteRoundup&id=thermalchart&option=com_gallery&Itemid=96&include=view_photo.php

 

[chronicbucks]

thank you for the link...that was able to shut my friend up rather quickly

 

[Outlander_04]

The most important thing to know about thermal compound is

USE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE

direct contact of the heatsink to the cpu is the ideal and the thermal compound is there to fill in microscopic variations in the surfaces so they can transmit heat too.
If you have used more than one tiny drop you have put a layer between the two metal surfaces that doesnt conduct as well as either and will increase temperatures.

The "you must have thermal compound X" are fanboys