Thermal Grease Cure Time

[MIS3]

I just installed a new Zalman 9700NT using the thermal grease that came with the cooler.

I read that when installing a new CPU HSF, it takes time for the thermal grease to settle. How long is this cure time and is there any special way to speed this up?

[Conumdrum]

Depends on the TIM. Many have no curing time. If I remember right 100 hrs of 8 hr usage,, turn it off, use it the next day etc. No worries if your temps are good anyway.

If bad, we need more info. CPU/OC how much and voltages/Ambient temps/case air flow/case type/CPU cooler and fans used/ fan speeds.

Make a sig with most of the info, easy for us to reference.

[mad_skills]

For reference, Arctic Silver 5, a silver-based compound, need approximately 200 hours of work to be 100% efficient.
Just leave your pc for about 4,5 days of constant work, that will do the job.:up:

[MIS3]

My components: P5E-WS, Q6600-G0, 2x2GB OCZ, eVGA 8800GTS-512MB, WD-750GB, P182, 2 x DVD-Writer. All SATA devices. I installed an extra 120mm fan in the front middle cage. All 4 fans set to low.

I just replaced the Freezer Pro 7 by a Zalman 9700NT yesterday.

Monitoring software: CPUID, CoreTemp, Prime95.

CPU: 2.4GHz @ 28.8 GHz, CPU voltage (CPUID): Idle: 1.192V, Load (Prime95): 1.16V

Core temperatures with Freezer Pro 7:
Idle: 38-40C
Load: 58-60C (after 3 hours of Prime95)

Core temperature wuith 9700NT:
Idle: 36-38C
Load:53-55C (after 6 hours of Prime95)

By changing the HSF, I was hoping to get more improvement than 5C in load conditions. Maybe the Zalman thermal grease has to be burned in!

[deees]

For reference, Arctic Silver 5, a silver-based compound, need approximately 200 hours of work to be 100% efficient.
Just leave your pc for about 4,5 days of constant work, that will do the job.:up:

There is a caveat. They specify several cool-down cycles in the 200 hour period.

[mad_skills]

That's why i've said 4,5 days which amounts to about 120hrs of work..:)