Is Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut thermal paste compatible with the H100i? (+ Other questions)

[testtube5]

^This is my first time buying aftermarket thermal paste and after doing some research, I found that some thermal pastes are incompatible with some heat sinks due to some problem with metallic composition (Lack of Silver/Copper I think) of either the paste or the heat sink.

I have had this computer for ~5 years and am using an Intel i5 4670k. I have never replaced the thermal paste (I know now...bad idea). I was curious today about my CPU temperature and realized that I'm running at a consistent 80-85c under load. Then (and please don't laugh at me for this), I didn't look up whether that was too hot or not before I attempted to overclock for the first time. When I did my CPU core temperature shot up to a consistent 100 degrees and when I went back to the original clock speed, it still is remaining at 95-100C under load...So I'm assuming - and hoping - that all I did was partially "burn off" the remaining 5 year old stock thermal paste and that I just need to replace it ASAP.

So, the title is my ultimate question, but I suppose I should add on: How can I check for myself whether or not the two are compatible? I attempted to look up specs for both the H100i and Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut but I'm uncertain as to what I should be looking for; should I ever need to know in the future.

P.S
- I did a lot of searching around and came to the conclusion that the Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut
is one of (if not the best) thermal pastes I can purchase. Is this true? If not, what would you suggest? Consider this: Within 2 months I plan on putting together another build with an Intel i7 8770k (Which I plan to OC) and the H100i v2.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Lutfij]

1| Stay away from liquid metal based thermal interface materials.
2| You're going to be fine with Arctic Cooling's MX-4 or Artic Silver 5 or even other off the shelf thermal paste(Thermal grizzly make one too).

 

[Eximo]

Conductonaut is a liquid metal, not a traditional thermal compound.

Most often this is used to replace the thermal interface between the CPU and its heatspreader on Intel CPUs (the little metal cap). Look up de-lidding for more information.

Kryonaut from the same company is more what you are after. This is a normal thermal compound that can be applied to pretty much anything.

Based on the temperatures I assume you are still using the stock cooler for the i5-4670k? Not really adequate for overclocking. In the meantime you could purchase that H100i or a cheaper aftermarket heatsink, something like the Cryorig H7 or Deepcool Gammaxx 400. You could use the included pastes, or apply your own.

 

[Eximo]

1| Stay away from liquid metal based thermal interface materials.
2| You're going to be fine with Arctic Cooling's MX-4 or Artic Silver 5 or even other off the shelf thermal paste(Thermal grizzly make one too).

Arctic Cooling's MX-4 is a good mid-range thermal compound. Suitable for both rough machined and smoothly polished surfaces.

 

[testtube5]

Based on the temperatures I assume you are still using the stock cooler for the i5-4670k?

As I mentioned, I am using the H100i. That's what worries me. I'm wondering if there's something other than the thermal paste that is causing the temperature to be 95-100 degrees on load even when I'm not even overclocked anymore....I hope not. Nonetheless, the fact that I have not replaced the paste since I originally applied it ~5 years ago has to at least be part of the problem...

...What would you guys suggest as the *best possible* thermal paste I could use for the 8770k + H100i (That I plan to purchase within 2 months)?

I'm going big with the build; around 2500$, so I might as well buy the absolute best thermal paste; considering how cheap it is.

 

[James Mason]

Some articles to read:
https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3064-intels-thermal-problem-pt1-liquid-metal-vs-thermal-paste-benchmarks-7900x
https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3068-how-to-delid-intel-i9-cpu-and-apply-liquid-metal
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-comparison,5108.html

Liquid metal is the "best possible" BUT it has more risks/concerns and knowledge required to use it right. Like it will corrode/eat through certain metals.
Otherwise, TG Kryonaut is the best "normal" thermal paste you can use.

 

[Eximo]

Haven't seen an updated round-up in a while, Kryonaut was still top of the list, before liquid metal, last I checked.

If you are getting such high temperatures with the h100i now, then something is indeed wrong. A common problem of Z87 and Z97 motherboards was varying board thickness. This had the effect of h80i and h100i coolers not making sufficient contact with the CPU.

Quite easy to test. Take the side panels off and look at the heatsink retention bracket (backplate). (If you don't have a cutout in the motherboard tray, take the motherboard out completely) Push on the CPU cooler and see if a gap appears between the motherboard and bracket. If not you have sufficient clamping force. If a gap does appear you need to add small washers between the motherboard and backplate.

If you have had the cooler for a while it is possible that the fluid level has dropped due to evaporation, or a leak, and the radiator has become ineffective. Air bubbles are another issue. You can usually solve that by taking the cooler off and rotating it in every direction just to shake things loose.

Lastly, it could simply be pump failure or it is no longer pumping properly but still spinning. I had the housing fail on an asetek pump once, but the motor was still good. My h80i failed at the tubing seal, o-rings shrunk over time.

 

[TJ Hooker]

@testtube5 the difference between the best thermal pastes/liquid metal and generic stuff is like 3-5 degrees C. If you're hitting 100C at stock settings with an H100i and a 4670K you have much bigger problems that the particular paste you're using.