If im looking for the best possible thermal compound to use between the CPU and AIO what should i use?
I have seen people say the included thermal compound that comes pre-installed on most AIO's is good enough.
But if i wanted to see the best thermal return from my paste, what would i use? I have a Corsair H115i.
Im sure the included stuff is pretty good, but know large manufactures like that don't always use top shelf paste due to cost.
Do different thermal paste work better on AIO's and some better on fan coolers?
All suggestions welcome. I have never used an AIO before and this will be my first true build, and first build for myself.
Also an answer good to know in case i ever have to remove the AIO and reinstall it. So i can have some on hand even if i decide to use stock paste the first time.
 

 
Moved to General Hardware.

bcavnaugh

Cool GTX
I like MX-4 works well, easy to apply, non-conductive, non-capacitive, does not dry-out or need to cure --->& reasonable price
 
check this thread:  best thermal paste, what's the latest and greatest to use?
 
technique is important - air bubbles & dry spots need to be avoided

+1

+2.  I've been using MX-4 for a number of years now.  Have always been happy with it.

http://www.tomshardware.c...e-comparison,5108.html

quadlatte

mike406
http://www.tomshardware.c...e-comparison,5108.html

lol they even tested toothpaste and denture glue

LOL      

I like my Prolimatech PK-3....seems to do the job ...but as others have stated MX-4 is really good..
 

GGTV-Jon
Sorry to bash things here peeps -
 
That Tom's piece is now dated and flawed, for some reason they didn't include a very import bit of information - what the W/mk rating was for the different compounds they were testing
 
Numbers don't lie (well, if they are reported correctly). Here is a short running list I have kept tabs on
 
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut - 73 W/mk  <-- LM
Thermal Grizzly Carbonaut - 62.5 W/mk <-- Not yet to market - https://youtu.be/d_O6XhKL-VI
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut - 12.5 W/mk

PK-3 - 11.2 W/mk
MX-4 - 8.5 W/mk
K5 Pro - 5.3 W/m.K
 
 
As you can see for every day usage the TG Kryonaut is the way to go for performance
Sorry but MX-4 and that K5 Pro (which I was not able to really find an actual manufacturers page like the rest) are not quite cutting it any more

 
How much did Your Temps come down ?  (benchmark records - people fight for every degree to allow more OC)
 
More important ---> Did your frames per second increase ? (better measure of daily activity/ task improvement)
 
Thermal Grizzly is a "premium brand" with a Premium Price
 
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut -  $10/1 gram
 
Arctic Cooling MX-4 $10/4gram
 

As to Cool GTX's question above on how much of a difference I saw in temperatures I cannot really answer that
 
For the GPU I had only initially booted the system with the stock FTW3 cooler and confirmed all my shiny new stuff worked well enough for boot up and OS install. Then after the OS was installed I did a quick benchmark stress test of the GPU to insure proper working - I did not bother to look at temps at that time. Then I installed my EK water block on the GPU and used TG Kryonaut on the assembly - temps have been awesome and I have not touched the GPU in a hardware sense since then. THE only time I see GPU temps above 40c (and I am talking 41-43c) is when I have the heat cranked up and have been playing something like BFV for an hour plus.
 
CPU (7940x @ 4.8ghz Delided) has always been on water - started with TG Kryonaut and then switched to Conductonaut to get the most out of my cooling solution, maybe an initial 10c idle drop on the switch over? - system build - https://forums.evga.com/FindPost/2829994
 
And again I would have to have the heat turned up to get my CPU to even spike to 80c under a heavy laod - generally sits mid to low 30's at idle (if I chill the room I can get that to upper 20's) and 50-65c under load
Edit Note: This is with the IHS back on and the stock retention bracket. Once the TG Carbonaut comes available I might switch back to the direct die frame and see how it works
 
I had taken a good look at the thermal conductivity ratings on the different TIM's on the market when I was planning my build and went with the best I could find for my application
 
I look at some of the threads linked above and it looks like some of the people that had tried Kryonaut early on had issues with application of the TIM, I am wondering if the formula has changed as I have used my tube of Kryonaut on probably 4 other CPU's besides mine and have had no issues with getting a proper application.
Most of those have been doing maintenance on some of the other computers here at the house that were starting to have heat issues due to aged factory TIM. I looked at those sitting at 70c+ under load (stock air coolers) dropping to the 40-55c range after a good cleaning of the CPU coolers and fresh TIM application. Those were a combination of a much needed cleaning and fresh TIM as the original had dried up and there was less then 50% contact on one of them = the drastic drops in temps.
 
My apologies to the OP for the rambling but I hope people have some idea where I am coming from and why I stated the above with those numbers on the different TIM's