Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator - Forums

(09-18-2013, 05:57 AM)AnyOldName3 Wrote: [ -> ]Arctic Thermal MX-4 is supposed to be better.

I'll have to try this. Is it supposedly better in terms of thermal properties?

It's a bit better (either in thermal conductivity, electrical resistance, lifetime, curing time or a mixture of these), and usually the same price. I don't know specifics, just that in one respect it's better enough to be the preferred choice.

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EDIT: Extra research has shown that there's actually no perceivable difference, so get either.

MX-4 is not better than AS5. It is close though and much safer. AS5 is silver based while MX-4 is carbon based. Silver produces better thermal conductivity but also high electrical conductivity (which carbon does not).

While I definitely understand what could happen in theory with electrical conductivity in thermal grease, if it were applied properly and only to the areas where it should be, nothing should really happen, right? I ask because I've probably done around 100 PC builds with AS (and even fixed some xboxes with the stuff) and nothing has ever shorted or been damaged.

(09-18-2013, 12:02 PM)rokclimb15 Wrote: [ -> ]While I definitely understand what could happen in theory with electrical conductivity in thermal grease, if it were applied properly and only to the areas where it should be, nothing should really happen, right? I ask because I've probably done around 100 PC builds with AS (and even fixed some xboxes with the stuff) and nothing has ever shorted or been damaged.

!00 Celsius is still pretty dangerous if it stays there for prolonged periods of time; most if not all motherboards have thermal sensors that force a computer to shut down before any damage is done. I use Arctic Silver and it works very well, have had my PC for six months or so now and the temps have been very stable, that and Intel Core i3/i5 series have good temps in general.

100 PC builds means he's built 100 PCs with that paste. It does not mean that he's built 1 PC which reaches 100°C.

rokclimb15 Wrote:While I definitely understand what could happen in theory with electrical conductivity in thermal grease, if it were applied properly and only to the areas where it should be, nothing should really happen, right?

Correct. Just like any conductive material it won't damage the system unless it is applied in such a way that it connects two other conductors and forms an unintended path for the electric current to flow through (a short circuit). It's the same with water. You can spill water all over the place and as long as it hits the right spots nothing bad will happen. There is a risk associated with doing it though. I've lost a graphics card to AS5 before so I prefer to use MX-4 since there is almost no loss in thermal conductivity and the price increase is insignificant.

rokclimb15 Wrote:I ask because I've probably done around 100 PC builds with AS (and even fixed some xboxes with the stuff) and nothing has ever shorted or been damaged.

A combination of luck and skill. As long as you don't do anything stupid it generally doesn't damage anything. But there is always a risk. Especially if you use too much and it leaks out.

(09-19-2013, 09:05 AM)NaturalViolence Wrote: [ -> ]A combination of luck and skill. As long as you don't do anything stupid it generally doesn't damage anything. But there is always a risk. Especially if you use too much and it leaks out.

I had never considered this. I'll have to be more careful I guess. Maybe it's one of those things you don't worry about since you don't know, but now that I do I'll make mistakes...ignorance was bliss.

(09-17-2013, 08:13 AM)Tasipa Wrote: [ -> ]but now the problem is that i don't know if choose intel or amd

Are you really hesitating? .

Follow masterotaku's advice and go for 3570K/4670K. These are currently the best choices for Dolphin