[section_title title=Test Setup & Testing Methodology]
Note: – Updated for August 2015 – http://www.play3r.net/reviews/cooling/best-thermal-paste-2015-update/
Test Setup
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K (3.9GHz @1.1v & 4.5GHz @1.25v)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 OC Formula
RAM: Kingston GSkill TridentX 2400MHz 8GB (2x4GB)
PSU: Cooler Master V1200 1200w Platinum
OS: Windows 7 Premium 64 bit
Testing Methodology:
As each thermal paste requires different curing times, different bedding in times, it made testing each thermal paste quite an arduous task in terms of time; no fear, taking our time is what Play3r does best and the following method was devised for the testing, something each of the thermal pastes had to go through prior to obtaining results.
Step 1 – Applying each thermal paste by each of the manufacturers recommended methods; where no methods were given, common sense and experience comes into play.
Step 2 – Running the test system for 24hrs with a run of Prime95’s torture test for an hour to help cure the paste in; some don’t need curing, but tough, we did it anyway!
Step 3 – After 24hrs, I ran Prime95 for 30 minutes on each of the following settings saved from BIOS; 3.9GHz @ 1.1v and 4.5GHz @ 1.25v; this is to give a completely level playing field
Step 4 – Delta temperatures were taken due to any variance in ambient temperatures; British weather can be a marvellous thing and be cold and wet one day, to warm and sunny the other. Bare this in mind when reading our results. Delta temperature is core temperature minus ambient temperature which is believed to give more consistent results, some will disagree, but I prefer this method.
With the test setup noted, the entire testing methodology being laid out in an understandable and tedious way, it’s time to see who reigns king…
What about articooling MX4? It would be nice to see how it performs. For legacy purposes i would also like to see ArticSilver 5 in the test.
Regards from PT.
It will be added over the next month or so 🙂
no arctic silver 5? As one of the most recommended out there, i would have liked to see where it stands.
It will be coming, very very soon!
Yeah it is on the list for the next month or so 🙂
You missed two very good ones Gav! Lol :p
Test Phanteks TH-NDC and Prolimatech PK-3. GC-Extreme will still win but those two are the next best. The Phanteks one I don’t think that you can buy on it’s own as it comes with their coolers. I’ve got a spare tube if you want it.
-RawZ
Agree with the rest, where is Artic Silver 5? Ive been using it from some time, how is possible that one of the most used and highest rated brands is not in this review?
It is awaiting to be tested this week; you have to bare in mind that I paid retail price for every thermal paste on test bar a couple of them (companies were kind), so I didn’t have the budget to buy “every” brand. Rest assured it will be added over the next 7-10 days etc!
Arctic Silver 5 ?
It has been tested, the graphs will be updated soon!
I’ve just picked up a nofan cr-80eh and don’t know how their proprietary brand paste compares. would you be able to compare that?
If you were to send us a sample or the company in question, we would give it a test in 2016’s upcoming round-up this summer 🙂