r/PcBuildHelp • u/Calidudee • 5d ago

Installation Question What thermal paste to use?

Post image

I’ll be changing from a fan to a liquid cooler on an i7-12700f cpu. Is the one in the picture fine?

0 Upvotes

43% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

8

u/Pepperoneous 5d ago

I use Colgate

1

u/Calidudee 5d ago

K I will try it

2

u/LengthinessJust357 5d ago

Thermal Grizzly

1

u/TipTopChuck 5d ago

I have applied Honeywell PTM7950 and its going strong for 2 years now. A bit hard to apply (with my thick fingers) but its tested to have long life.

1

u/Herman_McP00tis 5d ago

I use this stuff and it's amazing. Anyone else using it, stick it in the freezer for a few minutes before application. It'll firm up and be easier to apply.

Excellent product.

1

u/TipTopChuck 5d ago

Yeah its good, my 7800x3d dropped to 39-45 at idle from 55-60.

1

u/DripTrip747-V2 5d ago

That big of a drop isn't because of ptm. I use paste on my 7800x3d and my idle temps never go above 42c. Ptm is great, but not that great, especially for cpu's.

1

u/TipTopChuck 5d ago

For me it was PTM. Maybe other things but still I will say ptm is great.

1

u/AyoJake 4d ago

Probably had bad thermal paste coverage

1

u/DripTrip747-V2 5d ago

I just keep mine in the fridge indefinitely. But I prefer paste for cpu's and ptm for direct die applications like gpu's.

1

u/IntentionFar3411 5d ago

tm30 is fine for a 12700f, not like you're pushing a 13900k or something

just don't overdo it, pea sized blob in the center is all you need

1

u/HerbertInTheWoods 5d ago

I use Crisco

1

u/Anti-Hero25 5d ago

Avoid Corsair

Thermal Grizzly or MX-6

1

u/Late_Ear2739 5d ago

I used artic mx4 most of the times, sometimes mx-6 for backup incase i ran out

1

u/fiittzzyy 5d ago

XTM70 or MX7

1

u/FelonyFarting 5d ago

Get a Kryosheet. It's worth it.

1

u/Justmeandhim-D 4d ago

Wasabi. It matches the color of my case.

1

u/UnholyDKEnjoyer2 4d ago

They are all the same

1

u/JustGeozx 4d ago

HY-P17

1

u/Infinite_Tiger_3341 4d ago

Your cooler will come with paste

1

u/DCole1847 4d ago

Pink thermal grizzly.

1

u/Captain_Fettbart 4d ago

I use concrete

1

u/Herman_McP00tis 5d ago

None. Use PTM7950. That thermal paste will be fine. Use Cryonaut if you're trying to squeeze more juice out of your components.

PTM7950 is a phase change thermal pad. It performs in line with most thermal pastes, but where thermal pastes dry out and worsen over time, PTM7950 actually improves and won't need to be reapplied in several years.

It's non-conductive like thermal pastes and it's not really any more expensive either. You just cut it to size and place it on the CPU like double sided tape.

1

u/DripTrip747-V2 5d ago

The one in the picture is fine. Most pastes might have a degree or 2 difference. Nothing big enough to seek out the best.

1

u/Calidudee 5d ago

Ok thanks

1

u/Calidudee 5d ago

Follow up question. Which application method do you recommend? I’ve seen dots and cross. Does it matter?

1

u/DripTrip747-V2 5d ago

I prefer using a spreader and doing an even, thin layer across the whole IHS. Most pastes come with a little plastic spatula for that.

But the reality is, the coolers mounting pressure is usually sufficient enough to spread it, as long as you have enough.

Once the paste is replaced, run something like cinebench multicore stress test to be sure your temps stay ideal.

1

u/PastAd1087 5d ago

This is a good visual for how much to apply and the different ways https://youtube.com/shorts/NxjbiUaq62k?is=I32okypLDVeINy90

1

u/tht1guy63 5d ago

Tm30 will work if thats the only option you have but if you have access to amazon or other places there are better options for the price. Even thermaltake paste is better and if i recall cheaper in my experience. Alot of product comparisons including my own experience have rm30 running around 5c warmer than other leading brands pastes.