Cooler Master Thermal Compound Kit Premium > Reviews (1)

*What it is*

Usually when it comes to computers, not many people have much knowledge of what processorheatsink paste actually is, and what job function it does inside a computer. To be honest though, you aren't really going to know what it is (not that many people would care) unless you were actually interested in the hardware-side of computers, and the configuration of the components. Basically processor heatsink paste is a thermal compound which is applied to the heatsink before it gets attached to the processor. This is done to make sure there is a good contact made between the two components. This is really important because the processor generates so much heat inside the computer, and this heat needs to be transferred instantly to the heatsink. Because it is really hard to make sure the heatsink is perfectly flat and able to make good contact with the processor, the thermal compound is used to bridge any gaps (not that they would appear to the human eye). The paste also prevents any air from cooling the processor, because by using a paste you are able to cool the processor more successfully (laws of science that air is a poor conductor of heat compared to most liquids or solids.). If you're lucky enough to purchase a heatsink which comes with a thermal pad attached to it, then you don't need to bother with the thermal compound. This is because the pad does the exact same job as the compound - it ensures good contact between the heatsink and processor, and takes away the heat from the processor by passing it through to the heatsink.

*How it works*

The processor heatsink paste is usually made up of white paste made from zinc oxide in a silicone base. This compound is specifically used because it is very efficient at transferring heat from the processor onto the heatsink. The compound has many tiny thermally conductive particles mixed into it, and so is more effective at transferring the heat then air is. Air is going to be common between the heatsink and processor, unless they are both completely flat, which is impossible to be sure of really, unless you 'lap' your heatsink (basically polish it down as much as possible). Though the processor and heatsink may look flat to the human eye, under a microscope they won't be, so they won't be in perfect contact with each over. This will mean tiny air pockets will be present, which is why it's best to put something in-between the two components - which is why we use the heatsink compound. The compound is effective at drawing out the heat from the processor, and passing it through to the heatsink. The heatsink conducts the heat from the CPU, and then radiates it into the air. Usually a fan is present on the heatsink, and this means cool air is able to keep the temperature of the heatsink down, due to convection.
The processor (CPU) is probably one of the hottest components inside the PC, along with the processor on the graphics card (GPU). The processor generates this much heat because its constantly under use, and as its working away the microprocessor inside vibrates to a set clock speed due to the voltage being applied to it.

This vibration then turns to heat, and the faster it vibrates the more heat gets emitted. Heat is probably the biggest enemy for computers, and is probably one of the biggest factors limiting the possibilities of higher-speed processors even today.

*How to use it*

The compound itself is really easy to use, and there are instructions included for those who aren't too confident on how to use it. To use it you simply apply a tiny amount to the processor, and use something to spread it out evenly over the top of the processor, trying to apply a paper-thin layer. Luckily the compound is in a syringe type container, so you only have to apply a tiny bit of pressure to the syringe a. You can then do exactly the same with for heatsink, and then you're done. Be careful not to put too much compound on the processor or heatsink - though you might think by applying a larger amount will make it work better, (what I thought first time I did it) it will actually work against the processor and you will probably damage the processor. Plugging the processor into the motherboard and attaching the heatsink is a far more daunting matter though compared to applying the thermal compound, so be sure to take care not to bend any pins on the processor when you plug it in.

*Packaging and contents*

The thermal compound comes in a blister pack format, which is always really awkward to get open. Once you have managed, you will find the compound in a syringe type container, some fold-out instructions, a credit-card sized piece of plastic, and a plastic template to help when you apply the compound.
The instructions are really clear and easy to follow, largely thanks to the big and clear pictures on how to apply the compound. There was also a link to the instructions on the website, which I found far easier to follow http://www.coolermaster.com/installation_manual/1984dc3162f23f9​d9519074a77b73a38.jpg. There you will find a really jpg image which takes you through the process step by step, which is basically the same as what the included instructions show you. On this website you will also find a flash video on installing the processor and heatsink, which is really handy and easy to follow.
The credit-card sized plastic is included so that you can easily spread the thermal compound on the processor, without any mess. This is a nice touch and a handy feature, though you could have probably easily managed by using something else which is flat and thin to spread it.
The plastic template is really helpful because it caters for a few types of processor socket types - you just flip the template over depending on the type of processor you have. Then you apply the template sticker to the base of your heatsink, making sure it is aligned properly. Finally you can apply the compound to the centre of the template, spread the compound with the card supplied, and then peel back the template.

*Specification*

The Cooler Master Thermal Compound Kit Premium Processor heatsink paste is very similar to the 'performance' paste offered by Cooler Master, and I'm not %100 what the real difference is - except the price.

The premium compound is about £4 and the performance is about £3. The only real difference that I can see is that the premium compound is able to be used from the temperate range of -50deg C to 170deg C. The performance compound can be used from 0deg C to 170deg C. To be honest though, unless you are running your computer using liquid nitrogen or something you will be unlikely to be any better off using the premium paste compared to performance. Plus it will set you back a bit more money too. Also, by looking at the details of the two, the performance paste seems to have a better thermal conductivity then the premium paste that I am reviewing. However it will probably be impossible to physically tell a difference between how they both perform compared to each other, unless you were to look at it in real detail.

Colour : White
Viscosity : 300 Poise
Density : Over 2.0 @ 20 degC
Thermal Conductivity : 0.55 W/MK
Temp Usage : 0 to 170 degC
Storage Temperature : Under 25 degC
Application : CPU & Graphic card

*Overall conclusion*

It's quite hard to actually review how good a product this thermal paste is - there's no real way of judging how well it works, unless I was to purchase another paste, unplug my processor and go though the whole process again comparing how they did against each other. To compare this paste against another I would have to have exactly the same setup, have used it for exactly the same amount of time, and run the exact same applications on the computer so I can fairly compare the two. Otherwise the heat and other variables will all change, and therefore the testing would be pointless.
The only thing I can say though is that I have used it since I put my computer together, which must have been 2 years ago. I have had no problems with my computer, I run an Athlon XP 3200+ on a Gigabyte GA-7NNXP and it runs at about 65deg C, which is apparently okay (The GA-7NNXP is known to over-exaggerate CPU temperatures). I have had no problems with this computer at all, so hopefully the compound I use is coping fine. Though it does appear to have a really important job, transferring the heat from the processor onto the heatsink, it doesn't really matter what you use between the two. You could probably use any paste and not really see much of a difference with your computer. I have to recommend this compound though, not just because my computer is fine, but because of its ease of use and the contents that came with the product.