I received a few samples of thermal compound from Prolimatech (PC-1, PK-2 and PK-3) and Tuniq (TX-2, TX-2 EXTREME and TX-4). Ambient temps were monitored by temp probes off the NZXT SENTRY2 fan controller, one probe was placed in ice water to determine that it was correctly calculated to 0c and another probe was mounted inches away from the front intake fan. The Compound was tested on an overclocked FX-6300 @ 4.8 GHZ. Core temps were monitored by Core Temp 1.0 RC4 64-bit with a T.J. Max of 95c.
All tests were done within an 8 hour period and both the cpu block and die was cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove previously applied compound before conducting the next test. All thermal compounds were applied in the same manner as using the Tuniq TIM spreader covering the entire die surface.
Applying Tuniq compound was found to be easy to spread and control without using too much or needing to add more after spreading. TX-2 Extreme and TX-4 was more of a paste and easier to control as TX-2 was a little more “runny” and a looser form. After performing the test of TX-4, the block had a good bond on the die and had to be carefully worked off by moving around to release the bond without pulling the cpu out of its socket.
The test software used was Cinebench 11.5 64-bit, which was performed 3 separate times with a 15 minute cool down period between each test as the results were averaged between.
Tuniq TX-4 Tuniq TX-2 Extreme Tuniq TX-2 Arctic Cooling MX-2 Standard PK-1 PK-2 PK-3
Ambient 22 20 22 20 22 20 20 20
Idle 25 25 26 25 27 25 24 24
Load 55 59 64 59 67 63 59 60
Conclusion:
Based on the performed tests; Tuniq TX-4 has performed better in all areas with a lower idle and load temp and would recommend overall, with a 4 degree between the top 5 thermal compounds rating it’s more of a matter of personal choice.
*The “standard” compound used was some compound that was included with the cpu block of the Alphacool Watercooling kit.
www.prolimatech.com
http://www.tuniq.com.tw/accessories/tx4.html
All tests were done within an 8 hour period and both the cpu block and die was cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove previously applied compound before conducting the next test. All thermal compounds were applied in the same manner as using the Tuniq TIM spreader covering the entire die surface.
Applying Tuniq compound was found to be easy to spread and control without using too much or needing to add more after spreading. TX-2 Extreme and TX-4 was more of a paste and easier to control as TX-2 was a little more “runny” and a looser form. After performing the test of TX-4, the block had a good bond on the die and had to be carefully worked off by moving around to release the bond without pulling the cpu out of its socket.
The test software used was Cinebench 11.5 64-bit, which was performed 3 separate times with a 15 minute cool down period between each test as the results were averaged between.
Ambient 22 20 22 20 22 20 20 20
Idle 25 25 26 25 27 25 24 24
Load 55 59 64 59 67 63 59 60
Conclusion:
Based on the performed tests; Tuniq TX-4 has performed better in all areas with a lower idle and load temp and would recommend overall, with a 4 degree between the top 5 thermal compounds rating it’s more of a matter of personal choice.
*The “standard” compound used was some compound that was included with the cpu block of the Alphacool Watercooling kit.
www.prolimatech.com
http://www.tuniq.com.tw/accessories/tx4.html
Hardware Used:
NZXT M59
Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
AMD FX-6300
Thermaltake 600w
AlphaCool Water kit w/ 120 rad<br>Dual DC-LT pumps
G.Skill Ripjaws X 1600(2x8GB)
AMD Entertainment Ed. 1600 (2x4GB)
EVGA 550ti 2GB
NZXT M59
Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
AMD FX-6300
Thermaltake 600w
AlphaCool Water kit w/ 120 rad<br>Dual DC-LT pumps
G.Skill Ripjaws X 1600(2x8GB)
AMD Entertainment Ed. 1600 (2x4GB)
EVGA 550ti 2GB
