Maximum PC

Yes, that is what is holding me back, the whole RMA process, mailing it, waiting to receive, etc etc. Is IC Diamond supposed to be really good?

Or is MX-2 supposed to be better than Arctic Silver 5?

ICD7 is whats preferred around here. They gave the stuff away to some forum members a while back and theres a thread that shows their results in the OC forum.

I still use OCZ Freeze because I got a tube of it really cheap at the local Microcenter and ICD was out of stock.

Thanks for the tip regarding ICD7, I searched and read up on it and liked the results. Just ordered a tube w/ 2-3 day shipping for $14. Hopefully it improves my Freezer7 performance

I just got done trying some mx-3 and for me it is working better than ic diamond 7 did. Also amazon carries it so it's easier to find. I have the 940 and at 3.6 I get 50c max running linX with a Corsair H50 (running 1 scythe s-flex) which is a few c better than the coolermaster according to maxpc but it is at least 5c better than my xigmatek s12xx. If you want the 212 for cheap macmall (idk how legit this is but...) has it for $25 http://www.macmall.com/p/5652589?dpno=7 ... mwbfroogle

It probably isn't worth the upgrade though I hit a wall at 3.6 and would need full liquid cooling to go higher if it even can.

Just applied my ICD7, and can already see a difference. Booted it up and already idles about 4C less than before, and currently running Prime95 tests and its sitting about 4-5C less for 100%. Hoping to see improvements after more power cycles are complete

How can you compare your results to MaxPC's if you're not running a Q6700?

I think he's referring to these results.

I also have a Phenom II X4 BE and installed the Hyper 212+ with good results. I bought mine on Ebay which was cheaper than Newegg. I have overclocked to 3.8GHz with 60 degree temps at full load. I am waiting for the new Corsair H70 water cooling to be available. Maybe get better temps and push it to 4.0GHz.

I was saying that according to maximumpc results the h50 is 1c cooler than the 212+ I wasn't comparing my results to theirs.

ok, I got it. I was going to say... the 940 runs quite a bit cooler than the Q6700 that they first stuck the H50 on.

How long does it take for ICD7 to fully set in and work optimally? Their package says only 2 hrs, but I read through various posts its can be a few days for it to fully set.

For me it took about a day or so.

Depends on sytem usage. I wouldn't worry too much about set time. It works well enough before setting, unless you're determined to compare it to another TIM product.

Well it looks like my cpu temps with my 3.6 GHz OC is sittin at 36-38C (Idle), minor usage gets up to around 42C, and with gaming climbs up to 46-50C. Seems like the ICD7 helped lower cpu temps by about 2C (Idle) and 5-6C (Gaming). Dont have rock solid numbers, but it does seem like a worthwhile $7 investment

That sounds about right. Those are very good temps now.

So when browsing the net, ripping a DVD, temps around 43C are fine for a Phenom 965?

Also would it be worthwhile to place some ICD7 on my 4850 single slot? Those cards are notoriously hot

43C is just fine. As for your 4850, it is riskier, but replacing the stock paste of the VRMs on my 4870 lowered their load temps from a shutdown-inducing 100C to a stable 87C, so it does carry high reward often. Just be careful to not break or dirty any of the thermal tape on the VRAM.

In my quest for a cooler PC, I think Im going to wait to mess with my 4850 to possibly pick up the $27 Arctic Cooling Accelero, and then just apply the ICD7 then, as I read that cooler vastly improved temps

That cooler is excellent, but you have to have good case ventilation. I put one of those on my 9800GT, and in an NZXT Tempest EVO it stayed under 61C when under FurMark load, but in a SilverStone Sugo SFF enclosure (which is where I was intending to leave it), it still overheated. I ended up getting an expansion slot exhaust fan to put right under the Accelero, which keeps the 9800 under 65C at load.