Your "artificial test" reference still puts Gelid right at the top behind the liquid metal stuff, same as 6 years ago, so what's changed ? Shin Etsu for example markets numerous TIM compounds that are designed to accommodate various application scenarios as well as cost. What works best on a CPU, will not be what's best on a VRM or memory chip. What works best on one CPU may not even be what works best on another CPU which is why I frown on artificial tests. It all has to do with heat signatures and quality of contact which varies substantially depending on what's mounting on what. Shin Etsu has even better compounds but they are not much marketed to the OC community and Shin Etsu cares little about what they sell since the PC enthusiast market is a pittance amidst their worldwide sames.
Be aware that these compounds were not invented for PCs....they have been in use in the electronics industry for years and most are simply rebranded products from Dow Chemical and others. We have since had the introduction of the Liquid metal stuff which sits at the top but which I would never recommend for anyone who hasn't done several dozen heat sink mounts.
I can understand your misgivings but I am basing the comparison an actual hands on experience in build after build from 1993 to present day. When a formulation changes, it's rarely about any change in technology, it's about a vendor being unhappy with their market position and wanting to better compete in the industry. This may range from simply a "new and improved" marketing campaign where little to nothing is done to actually moving up from their OEM's 3rd tier product to their 2nd. The available technology isn't changing, the same quality TIM materials have been available from worldwide chemical companies like Dow and Shin Etsu since the 1970s, but when not satisfied with their market share, sometimes the vendors will move up to a slightly improved OEM product line. It's not like most of these guys have their own labs and could even attempt to compete with the likes of Dow Chemical and such.
Your old NT-H1 was simply that ... old .... TIM doesn't have an infinitely long shelf life.
I use Shin Etsu and Gelid regularly, and results have remained consistent over the months over the years. I have a test rig set up with 6 temperature probes (0.1 C accuracy), infrared themometer, fog machine for tracking air currents and used the TIMs on both CPUs and GPUs.... I have even used them on GPU waterblocks in SLI with one TIM used on each. The two trade blows depending on the quality of the mount namely due to how much time it takes to finish the application, but overall, I get better temps with Shin Etsu on CPUs and better temps on GPUs.
In any case, there's no need to spend upwards of $10 for a PS3. Any of the TIM's in the Enthusiast category will be well more than enough for this application.