Tuniq TX-2 Thermal Paste
Introduction
Published: 9th November 2007 | Source: Tuniq | Price: US$5.99 |
All modern PC CPUs produce enough heat that they need a heat sink. Almost all of them need a heat sink with a fan. Many heat sinks come with some sort of thermal transfer paste pre-applied - typically a patch of grease; thermal paste; goop or whatever you want to call it.
With the heat output of modern CPU's, and even more imortantly, overclocked CPU's, there just has to be something between CPU and heat sink. The reason why there has to be something there is that the two mating surfaces of processor and sink aren't flat. They may look flat...They may have a mirror polish. But, on a microscopic scale, they are vastly different.
Without thermal transfer compound, everywhere heat sink metal doesn't mate with CPU package material is a teeny-tiny air gap. Air is a good thermal insulator. As long as your heat sink looks flat when you lay a ruler on it then there'll be a decent amount of actual contact, of course, but the amount of heat that'll actually make it around the air gaps may be surprisingly small. Hence, thermal compound. It's grease with lots of minuscule thermally conductive particles mixed into it, basically. It doesn't conduct heat as well as direct contact, but it's a heck of a lot better than air gaps.
Now here is where the picture becomes a little grey, and perhaps a little confusing for the uninitiated. Not all thermal pastes are created equal! Many people tend to purchase a thermal paste that the majority says is better, quite often without considering viable alternatives that exist out there. It's understandable, it is the nature of the consumer. Take Arctic Silver and their AS5 thermal paste for example. Sure it's a proven performer, but there are better performing pastes out there, and quite often cheaper than AS5. One of those pastes is sitting beside me right now.
Today I have been given the opportunity to test Tuniq's new TX-2 thermal paste which has been stated as achieving the best interface between the CPU and heatsink because of its uniquely designed molecular size and shape. For those of you who don't know who Tuniq are, they are a subsiduary of Sunbeamtech, and specialise in case modding hardware. Here's what they have to say about themselves:
As a division of Sunbeamtech, Tuniq considers itself in the fashion business of computing industry. We are committed to bring stylish, durable and high performance equipments to the world of computer modding. Our members consist of those who have more than 10 years experience in the industry and enthusiastic young designers full of innovative ideas.
Our manufacture center, which locates in Dong Guan, China, takes care of a portion of component manufacturing and ensures best quality with reasonable cost for our clients. This combination of enthusiasm and market sophistication makes us a strong and reliable choice in this market. The people in Tuniq are more than pleased to help in tuning your PC and make it into one unique to your own.
Our manufacture center, which locates in Dong Guan, China, takes care of a portion of component manufacturing and ensures best quality with reasonable cost for our clients. This combination of enthusiasm and market sophistication makes us a strong and reliable choice in this market. The people in Tuniq are more than pleased to help in tuning your PC and make it into one unique to your own.
According to Tuniq, their TX-2 thermal paste is neither metal nor electrically conductive and is the most effective thermal compound for your CPU's and coolers. So I guess we're just going to have to test it out!
Let's have a look at the specifications of Tuniq's TX-2 thermal paste...
Specifications
The specifications for Tuniq's TX-2 thermal paste were taken directly, and unashamedly from the product web page .
| Appearance | Grey |
| Viscosity | 285000 cP |
| Thermal conductivity | 4.5W/mK |
| Operating temperature | -45°C ~ 200°C |
| Specific Gravity | 3.96 @ 25°C |
| Volume | 3.5g |
With an operating temperature of -45 deg C through to 200 deg C, TX-2 could possibly be used as an alternative to Arctic Silver's Ceramique. Further, with a viscosity index of 285000 cP (centi-Poise) it falls somewhere between warm peanut butter and commercial grade toner ink. Mmmm easily spreadable...
Features
Whilst there isn't a heck of a lot of information on Tuniq's website regarding TX-2 thermal paste, it does include some impressive features. It will certainly be intersting to see how the Tuniq TX-2 stacks up against Arctic Silver 5.
* Low thermal resistance for superior heat transfer, 4.5W/mK
* Small molecular size makes a better contact between the heatsink and heatsource.
* Thin bond line for hi-efficiency conductivity
* Low bleed under high pressure
* Spreads easy - clean consistency
* Help the low-pressure clip design of cooler to achieve better cooling performance.
* RoHS compliant
* Not Electrically conductive
* Small molecular size makes a better contact between the heatsink and heatsource.
* Thin bond line for hi-efficiency conductivity
* Low bleed under high pressure
* Spreads easy - clean consistency
* Help the low-pressure clip design of cooler to achieve better cooling performance.
* RoHS compliant
* Not Electrically conductive
Let's head over the page and have a look at the TX-2's packaging.
Most Recent Comments
Nice job pvs, You must be the only person in the world who can write 5 pages on just one tube of TIM:p
:o ROFL thanks mate
It's true
Very thorough as usual mate and well written
When are you moving over here to write more reviews? :p (not that you'd want to ;)
Very thorough as usual mate and well written
When are you moving over here to write more reviews? :p (not that you'd want to ;)
I've asked around everywhere to see if anyone is selling this stuff... overclockers said they plan to but all negative elsehwere.:o
Anyone know of a definite UK stockist?
And a UK release date?
Or am I best just gettin the Artic Silver 5 rather than messing around?
Anyone know of a definite UK stockist?
And a UK release date?
Or am I best just gettin the Artic Silver 5 rather than messing around?
yeah i havent seen it either. Artic silver works for me :)
If you can't find it, not worth caring enough to get it instead of Artic Silver tbh
If you can't find it, not worth caring enough to get it instead of Artic Silver tbh
Yeah just after reading the overclock3d review and emailing god knows how many uk online retailers you kind of set your heart on the stuff... stupid as it may sound... i'll leave it till last minute in my build and if not available then, then AS5 it is.
Yeah just after reading the overclock3d review and emailing god knows how many uk online retailers you kind of set your heart on the stuff... stupid as it may sound... i'll leave it till last minute in my build and if not available then, then AS5 it is.
Sounds like a good solution to me. Many retailers will tell you when they expect to receive the item if you email them and ask.
Sounds like a good solution to me. Many retailers will tell you when they expect to receive the item if you email them and ask.
Like is said... i've emailed 'em Mike
CSS Valid
[IMG]http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/articles/2007/11/08102902796s.jpg[/IMG]
Linky