View Full Version : AS Ceramique vs. AS5
I currently use AS Ceramique with my RBX. If the international shipping gods look down upon me with favorable eyes, I should be receiving my Storm G4s in a couple of weeks. From those that have experienced the switch from AS Ceramique to AS5, would it be worth it for me to switch to AS5?
I'm not asking if it would be worth it for temps alone (something tells me the difference would be negligible) but for ease of use, curing time, etc. IMO, Ceramique is great to work with...is AS5 as nice to work with?
TIA for any thoughts, opinions, flames, etc.
TheGreySpectre
09-28-04, 12:40 AM
never used cemique, but AS5 is very easy to use, it doen't have to cure at all and is very easy to spread.
nikhsub1
09-28-04, 12:46 AM
I prefer ceramique, it lasts longer and keeps it's form better IMO.
I don't have any experience with as5 but i do believe it is electrically conductive. I use ceramique and love the stuff.
Etacovda
09-28-04, 05:18 AM
Ceramique is harder to spread (its quite sticky)
Heat the tube in your hand before applying it, makes it quite a lot easier.
Of course, i could have gotten a bad tube.
.Maximus
09-28-04, 06:15 AM
What Etacovda said^^^^^^^ If you heat it up in your hand and squish it around in the tube, it makes it much easier to spread. I have tried both, and to me I feel better using Ceramique. AS5 is conductive and I like to glop<<<that a word? lol! it on.
nikhsub1
09-28-04, 10:01 AM
Ceramique is harder to spread (its quite sticky)
Uhh, you are NOT supposed to spread it at all... have you seen the instructions? Put a tiny bit (size matters depending on bare core or IHS) in the center of the CPU and mount the block/HSF the pressure of the mount spreads the paste. You will get more even coverage and less air that way, just make sure you don't use too much.
http://arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm
crimedog
09-28-04, 10:02 AM
if you're paying $100 for a waterblock I think the temp difference of going from Ceramique to AS5 makes it worth it.
AS5 is easy to apply and as an added bonus it'll break in a few weeks after application and your temps will go down an extra couple of degrees.
Unless you go spraying your TIM all over your motherboard the electrical conductivity doesn't really factor in :rolleyes:
from a performance standpoint as5 is better, ull get lower temps with that... however as5 is known to be conductive, but all you have to do is follow the instructions carefully and not rush into things... If you do that I'm sure you won't fry your board or anything... I've never used ceramique just because I like the lower temps... I am a lower temp hoore...
jackrungh
09-28-04, 10:21 AM
Nik, I believe perhaps they were referring to the credit card method, which is what I employ as well. With the rice dollop method you cant always be sure that even application on the core occurs so i prefer to coat it before block application. At any rate the method for applying the compound doesnt change really from ceramique to AS5, and in regards to the conductivity element raised in this thread, its a non-issue. This (http://overclockers.com/articles885/) is somewhat more definitive test of either, and shows they are only marginally different in quality. The major difference is that one is highly composed of silver and one is metal-free using composite materials in combination.
:cool:
nikhsub1
09-28-04, 10:56 AM
Nik, I believe perhaps they were referring to the credit card method, which is what I employ as well. With the rice dollop method you cant always be sure that even application on the core occurs so i prefer to coat it before block application...
:cool:
I guarantee you the HSF/WB will spread the dollop better than any of you. I used to spread the paste too, much better results the other way, give it a try sometime :D
You cannot be guaranteed the dollap method will cover everything, plus you might end up with too little or too much. If you use the credit card method you know exactly how thin it is and that the entire area is covered.
AS5 has proven very good for me. When I switched ffrom the dollap to the credit card method my temps decreased almost 4c. Control is ALWAYS better.
nikhsub1
09-28-04, 02:01 PM
You cannot be guaranteed the dollap method will cover everything, plus you might end up with too little or too much. If you use the credit card method you know exactly how thin it is and that the entire area is covered.
AS5 has proven very good for me. When I switched ffrom the dollap to the credit card method my temps decreased almost 4c. Control is ALWAYS better.
To each his own, but Arctic Silver recommends the dollop method, must be a reason why. If you use the correct amount, it spreads very evenly with no air pockets.
ls7corvete
09-28-04, 02:16 PM
AS5=spread
ceramic=dollup
No use arguing if your not talking about the same thing.
They only recommend the dollop method for Ceramigue because it is gloppy and runny compared to AS's thicker consistent properties. The problem is you put too much on and it gets sqeezed out the sides making a mess of your cpu. Personally I think that is a "Hit or Miss" method. I like knowing my core is completely covered and doesnt have too thick a coat. Not to mention I hate having thermal compound all over the place..
AS5=spread
ceramic=dollup
No use arguing if your not talking about the same thing.
True....
jopapa1267
09-28-04, 03:10 PM
ive enjoyed my as5 that i recently got. its really easy to spread. just take your time when spreading it since is conductive.
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll give AS5 a dance...provided I can find it for a good price when I have to buy some other stuff.
:beer:
Lord_of_Decay
09-28-04, 07:25 PM
I have always used the credit card method to apply thermal paste. AS5 is great stuff and easy to work with.
nikhsub1
09-28-04, 08:38 PM
Silly me, I was only thinking of IHS based CPU's, where it is recommended to use the dollop method using AS-5... only for bare die CPU's do they recommend spreading it on.
Alacritan
09-28-04, 11:04 PM
There is effectively ZERO performance difference betweent the two. There have been plenty of tests that show one is better than the other but there no definitive winner. AS5 is easier to apply, but Ceramique is non conductive if you're concerned about that. But then you also have the reformulated Nanotherm PCM+ that's waterbased and gets temps up there with AS5 and Ceramique, possibly better, and you just put a drop on the chip and you're good to go. It uses some kind of tiny phase change method (probably marketing bs) but it does get very good temps, it's easy to apply and you get WAY more applications out of it compared to Arctic Silver because it's a liquid and you use MUCH less. I personally like it better because you don't have to use as much, and that means less between my heatsink and my core. That's always better in my book.
secretweapon
09-28-04, 11:09 PM
I prefer As5 only because it is much easier to spread on bare cores and u only need to dollop and twist couple degrees on an IHS. Arctic ceramique is a pain to spread, I only use it on stuff like videocard memory chips.
Interesting stuff, that Nanotherm PCM+. Alacritan, what's your experience with cleaning it up and having to do a second brand new application to both the same block and core because...say, you had to re-do your tubing and ended up breaking down your whole WC setup?
Do I dare try something I've never used before on a brand new block?
Alacritan
09-29-04, 12:17 AM
It cleans off completely with a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol. Much easier than my Ceramique, that I used to swear by. I still like Ceramique better than AS5.
But if you get it, make sure you get the reformulated stuff. The original PCM+ (improved PCM from back in the day) would cause discoloration of copper heatsinks. No performance impact, but it did discolor it. The newest stuff is effectively the same but doesn't discolor copper anymore. Maybe they changed the dye. It's bluish/greenish. Works great for me.
It's even easier to use than AS5 in my opinion and you get so many applications out of it, it's great.
Alacritan
09-29-04, 12:20 AM
you had to re-do your tubing and ended up breaking down your whole WC setup?
That was a bitch btw. I was so proud I got my WC stuff in my new case without taking anything apart, then I ended up having to change stuff up and take it apart anyway. At least I didn't have to drain and refill it (clamped the tubing).
I'm hijacking my own thread...Alacritan, I bought 3 of the Sanyo Denki's off the Ebay site. Did it take them a while to get back to you about when they shipped? Of course, I'm @ssuming you got yours from them also.
What the hell, I'll use PCM+ on one G4 and Ceramique on the other.
9mmCensor
09-29-04, 12:26 AM
I cant accurately quantify the difference between the two.
So I use what I have (currenty AS5). And when that runs out, I will use the cheaper of the two.
Alacritan
09-29-04, 12:37 AM
I'm hijacking my own thread...Alacritan, I bought 3 of the Sanyo Denki's off the Ebay site. Did it take them a while to get back to you about when they shipped? Of course, I'm @ssuming you got yours from them also.
What the hell, I'll use PCM+ on one G4 and Ceramique on the other.
I don't remember if they contacted me or not. They just arrived in about three or four days. Pretty quick, but they might be pretty close to where I am. I ordered them two at a time so they sent them in a padded envelope, and each was in it's own plastic wrapper inside the envelope. All the fans I've gotten from them have been flawless. But then again, they're built tough as hell.
Catalan
09-29-04, 12:45 AM
When applying as5 to an A64 cpu do you guys cover the whole heatspreader?
secretweapon
09-29-04, 01:17 AM
I just use the dollop method described on the AS website for all CPUs with IHS.
It uses some kind of tiny phase change method (probably marketing bs) but it does get very good temps, it's easy to apply and you get WAY more applications out of it compared to Arctic Silver because it's a liquid and you use MUCH less. .
You can get over 20 applications out of the 3gr AS5 tube. Thats enough to last well over a year. I still have a tube of AS3 I have not finished and have had it for a long time. As for it being conductive, well i dont see that as an issue really since I always take care not to get it all over the place anyway.
Alacritan
09-29-04, 04:28 PM
You can get over 20 applications out of the 3gr AS5 tube. Thats enough to last well over a year. I still have a tube of AS3 I have not finished and have had it for a long time. As for it being conductive, well i dont see that as an issue really since I always take care not to get it all over the place anyway.
I never worried about conductivity either, but it is a bonus. It's temps and ease of use that are most important, followed by value.
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