[Review] Indigo Xtreme vs. AS5, MX-2, IC Diamond, Shin-Etsu X23-7783D

Alright, pushing the Intel TIM roundup back (got some CPU blocks to test first!) and definitely adding a 5th and maybe a 6th TIM to the AMD tests.

7th mount of MX-2 is underway now and I have ~10 hours until I start the next TIM, so what are everyone's suggestions?

Here are the options (i.e., what I have sitting on my table and isn't already tested or Coolaboratory): AS Matrix, OCZ Freeze, Shin-Etsu X23-7783D, Shin-Etsu G751, Zalman STG1, Zalman STG2, MX-3, Gelid GC-2, Gelid GC-Extreme, Prolimatech PK-1, Tuniq TX-3, ThermalRight ChillFactor 3, Noctua NT-H1, Feser H-Bridge, Scythe Thermal Elixer, IC Diamond

I'm leaning toward Arctic Silver Matrix, PK-1, MX-3, IC Diamond, or X23-7783D, but definitely looking for input here :)

2 pastes? Definitely ShinEtsu X23-7783D as previously known best classic paste, and MX-3 as rather commonly used one.

Noted :toast:

Good point with the X23-7783D, it's the next one I'll test.

So depending on CPU block testing schedule (depends on when some hardware arrives), I should have time to test 0-2 more TIMs after X23-7783D.

Right now, leaning toward AS Matrix and PK-1 as the standby passengers but am very open to suggestions (MX-3 is a good possibility as well, but I don't necessarily want to just retest all the previously tested pastes).

Yeah I am curious to see what you think of the MX-3. I recently purchased some for a couple builds I needed to do for some other people. The MX-3 seems to be very different than the older MX-2 as far as it's consistency or thickness I guess. The MX-3 I used was very easy to apply so that was a plus but it almost seemed to easy as it seemed very watery to me. I normally use ceramique because I use phase change to cool my CPU so I guess I am just out of the loop on TIM's. I would like to know your thoughts on the MX-3 though.

Vapor: If you'll have "open slot" for another paste for 2nd part on i7, then imho MX-4 can be interesting one. As claimed - mx3 performance with mx2 ease of aplying. Possibly will be as popular as other MXes.

oooo... hopefully it is more mx2 than mx3 though. MX3 and I don't get along.

If it's available during the testing timeframe, it'll be added :D

Looks like good stuff :)

EDIT: AMD TIM review is up: http://skinneelabs.com/tim2010part1.html

Very nice!

From the looks of it some of the pastes would probably benefit from a longer curing time, it might be interesting to let just a single mount of each paste run through for like 48 hours to see if it improves further...

Edit: I'm not a big fan of the rating system though, as it does not reflect the actual noticeable performance differences. It's not as bad as the TIM categorization on another website, but imho the review would be better without that rating system. While a x/10 or % based system might not be as "objective" as your system, it does "reflect" reality much better if it's done well, and isn't what what it's about?

I do not like the MX-3 because it has high viscosity. Now use the MX-3 but I'll take Prolimatech PK-1. Prolimatech PK-1 is very easy to use and no high viscosity. The difference between the two is 2-3`C.

MX-4 should be something like best of both worlds, MX2's viscosity && MX3's effectiveness. Apart from few rare reviews i haven't seen it anywhere being sold yet though :/

im sticking with MX-3, dont like indigo extreme had 2 many problems with it!

Noticed another new paste, Tuniq TX-4. At least shop/vendor claims higher performance then TX-3.

TX-4 will be added :)

Hopefully MX-4, if it's available, will be as well :)

Vapor: Haven't seen that one in any shop yet. I beleave all those reviews already published about it are about samples sent to testers by Arctic Cooling company itself. BTW, any 'deadline', untill which pastes for testing are still accepted for testing?

I vote for the new non bonding coollaboratory, I think a saw a chart from a foreign review which claimed it beat the indigo extreme by a couple of a 1/10 of a degree.

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Originally Posted by churchy

Vapor: Haven't seen that one in any shop yet. I beleave all those reviews already published about it are about samples sent to testers by Arctic Cooling company itself. BTW, any 'deadline', untill which pastes for testing are still accepted for testing?

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As long as the entire suite of 20+ isn't completed and my testbed hasn't changed, nope, no deadline. I see the final testing completing sometime around Dec '10 and Jan '11, so there's plenty of time for late entrants :) Results will be posted in batches of 4-6, so results don't have to wait until 2011 to be posted :lol:

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Originally Posted by sirsiddius

I vote for the new non bonding coollaboratory, I think a saw a chart from a foreign review which claimed it beat the indigo extreme by a couple of a 1/10 of a degree.

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Which is that? I have Liquid Ultra, Liquid Pro (maybe/maybe not), and Liquid Metal Pad planned (but near the end of the cycle due to diffusion issues)....is there a fourth now?

Probably he meant Ultra, which is claimed to have lesser effect of diffusing then Pro (or was it just easier to aply?)

Yeah I meant ultra, sorry if I wasn't clear enough.

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Originally Posted by Vapor

TX-4 will be added :)

Hopefully MX-4, if it's available, will be as well :)

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I can send you some mate ;)

Wait, theres a curing time on AS5? I usually remount up to 3 times, and when I get the best possible temps I just leave it there......????? No curing time on my hyper, 4870 stock cooler, but maybe that is why on Fathers Q6600 with a V8, temps are horrible?

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Originally Posted by Cookiesowns

Wait, theres a curing time on AS5? I usually remount up to 3 times, and when I get the best possible temps I just leave it there......????? No curing time on my hyper, 4870 stock cooler, but maybe that is why on Fathers Q6600 with a V8, temps are horrible?

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Yes sir thats right, i think its like a 24 hour or 20 hour burn in period, as5 is long gone mate.. move onto mx-2 or mx-3 ;)

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Originally Posted by Johnny87au

I can send you some mate ;)

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Thanks for the offer but I'm sure that it'll be in retail before the end of the testing :)

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Originally Posted by Vapor

Thanks for the offer but I'm sure that it'll be in retail before the end of the testing :)

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You sure i dont mind..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vapor

As long as the entire suite of 20+ isn't completed and my testbed hasn't changed, nope, no deadline. I see the final testing completing sometime around Dec '10 and Jan '11, so there's plenty of time for late entrants :) Results will be posted in batches of 4-6, so results don't have to wait until 2011 to be posted :lol:

Which is that? I have Liquid Ultra, Liquid Pro (maybe/maybe not), and Liquid Metal Pad planned (but near the end of the cycle due to diffusion issues)....is there a fourth now?

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Before you mess around with the Ultra you might want to know that you will not be able to clean it off the IHS entirely. The performance is good but cleaning it up is still a b*tch. I had to use the included wire brush which also removes the CPU information from the IHS. Mine is only faintly readable now.

Just as bad as Liquid Pro then? :eh:

CLP, CLU, and CLMP were all on the board for last to be tested, will be interesting to see if they're even viable for a multi-mount test like other TIMs are. IC Diamond erased my IHS last time too :rolleyes:

Rasa and Black Sun block tests are on the board currently, then revisiting Koolance CPU-360 Midplate testing, then this TIM review kicks off :party: