Question 1

No instructions with MX-2.  How do I apply?  Fingers?  Does it need dry time?  Does the surface need to be prepped?  Etc.

Accepted Answer

You can find many guides on how to use the compound around the internet. The basic process is thus:

1) Prepare the surface of both your CPU and heatsink with a cleanser like articlean.

2) Apply the thermal paste. You want to put a pea-sized bead of paste in the middle of your CPU.

3) Attach the heatsink. Just set it on top of the cpu and tighten it down. If you just put the bead of paste on and set the heatsink on top, you shouldn't get any bubbles or other problems.

Tips:
1) Some people use goof-off for removing existing paste and stuff, but articlean is designed specifically for CPUs. I've done this before, though I'd recommend that you use another cleaner after this. If it's a brand new CPU you can get away with just wiping it down with some alcohol, but this is generally considered bad practice because of the water content in rubbing alcohol. Your best bet is to use articlean or another product designed for cleaning CPU thermal interfaces for paste.

2) Some people will spread the thermal paste bead out with a credit card, but the truth is that the application of the heatsink will cause this paste to spread on its own. DO NOT touch the paste, it's not going to kill you, but you don't need to touch it. If you accidentally touch it, it's fine. The more important thing to not touch with your bare fingers is the metal surfaces of the CPU or heatsink which come into contact with the thermal paste, as your oil from your skin can fill the pores of the metal and make thermal transfer less efficient.

You don't want to spread the paste out because it can introduce bubbles, which reduce efficiency of heat transfer. Trust the PC community when they say to just put a pea sized bead of thermal paste in the middle and let the heatsink spread it out, this works!

3) really, just set the heatsink on and tighten it down. it's okay if the heatsink twists and slides around a little, but try to keep it relatively immobile during this.

Question 2

Hello, can someone please tell me if the mixture is dangerous after the application, when the time has elapsed?
Thank you

Accepted Answer

This compound isn't any more or less dangerous than before application. You generally want to use gives or shy away from touching it at all. But if you get a bit on your skin make sure to wash It off immediately. Rubbing alcohol is the quickest way to remove it from any surface. Just take a look at the MSDS if your feeling cautious

Question 3

can it be used to replace a 2mm thick thermal pad?

Accepted Answer

Sure it can and most wise builders will replace the pad with compound. I have lost 1 cpu because the thermal pad failed to do it's job and I will NEVER again depend on one and having a customer lose use of a PC I built. Makes me look bad. I however will not use any compound except Artic Silver. Just a word to the wise.

Question 4

Im curious on how well this product would difference if I were to buy it. I'm looking to lower my temperatures on a video card and 2 cpus. I currently have Coolermaster Ice fusion. Anyone changed from those two and noticed a different and by how much?

Accepted Answer

The difference between most thermal pastes is relatively small, but it's cheap, so buy hte branded stuff.  The is far more difference in air coolers, but most water coolers will out-cool most air coolers.

There can be large differences based on installation technique that could make a difference.  Don't even think of messing with the video card.

Water cooling might help the CPU temps - use the smaller size (one fan bay).  With some ingenuity you can mount the water cooling radiator on the outside rear in the upper right corner of many computer cases.  You may have to cut the hole for the fan air and drill mounting holes for the radiator.

Question 5

In terms of effectiveness, how well does this product perform? I want to overclock my FX 6300 and I'll be using an Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan. Will these pair together?

Accepted Answer

I have used both silver and carbon based thermal compounds with equal results. The good thing about the carbon based compound is that it is non-conductive and non-capacitive. If you want to overclock very much, I suggest you use water cooling. It works much better than air cooling under heavy CPU loads. To answer your question directly...YES.

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