AS Ceramique is NOT better than AS5 with TEC...

[freecableguy]

I have done the switch twice now...going between the two and allowing a week's runtime to test the pastes. AS5 is cosistently 3-4C cooler than the Ceramique. I don't know who came up with the tale of "don't use AS5 at low temperatures" but it's just plain wrong.

[Karnivore]

Have never really compared them, and honestly I don't like Ceramique, but I can say, under a Prommie I've seen first hand how the AS5 migrates into small poolish groups, and almost seems to take on a crystaline appearance. Still seemed to work ok, but for subzero I still use other then AS5.. Going to give Nanotherm a try one of these days if I ever remember to order some..

Perhaps your still within a decent Temp range for the AS5 to work well...

[saaya]

what temps were you testing at? around 0C?
even if ceramique worked best i would prefer as5 as its waaaay easier to spread, especially on a large thing like a tec :D

[freecableguy]

-15C to +15C....around this range. I'm talking just AS5 on the cold plate to IHS interface. I have played with nothing else.

[tricknasty]

so is ceramique better for -50C temps?

[saaya]

i think yes... but im not sure...

i heard some people say as dries out at really low temps, i dont know if it reduces the heat conductivity though...

[Nimrod0031]

Ceramique always worked better for me at around -40 to -30. I think at those temps as5 willl still hold up though. There was a very good article on this and some testing done....I will see if I can find it.

[masterofpuppets]

I have been using AS5 for ages and have used it at -70C temps fine. I put a thin layer over the IHS and a blob in the middle of the IHS. Then I test it for contact by mouting and unmounting it. Then, I just put a extremely thin layer on the Evap/HSF/Coldplate/Waterblock and mount it properly. Never had any problems with using AS5 in this method. Isn't AS Cermaique like glue? I wouldn't touch the stuff. Possibly for mounting mofet and southbridge heatsinks though. But a well stuck down heatsink with AS5 will do the job. So I definately prefer AS5.

[MeltedDuron]

eeeeeeeeeewwwww ceramique. i used as5 on my nutty R9200 pelt "experiment" (80mm akasa blowin on the stock passive sink with a 80w pelt somewhere between!) got 8degrees running 3dmark2k1 :)