For I9-9900K, Does It Matter Whether I Use Noctua NT-H1 Or NT-H2?

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QuestionFor i9-9900K, does it matter whether I use Noctua NT-H1 or NT-H2?

• Thread starter anandtechreader
• Start date Jan 31, 2019

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anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81 Hello, I think there is a NT-H1 thermal paste that came with the Noctua NH-D15S. For i9-9900K, is it better to use the new NT-H2? It looks like the improvement is not that much for this CPU platform. Is it risky to use a completely new product that has not been tested by real customers and reviewers? https://noctua.at/en/performance-comparison-nt-h1-vs-nt-h2?___from_store=de

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LTC8K6

Lifer

Mar 10, 2004 28,520 1,576 126 Looks like for LGA1151 up to 140W, there is no difference.

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H T C

Senior member

Nov 7, 2018 614 458 136

anandtechreader said: Hello, I think there is a NT-H1 thermal paste that came with the Noctua NH-D15S. For i9-9900K, is it better to use the new NT-H2? It looks like the improvement is not that much for this CPU platform. Is it risky to use a completely new product that has not been tested by real customers and reviewers? https://noctua.at/en/performance-comparison-nt-h1-vs-nt-h2?___from_store=de Click to expand...

This paste is supposedly better for big CPUs VS small CPUs: the difference VS Noctua's older paste increases in such cases, or so was said in this Noctua video: EDIT That's what i get for not using the link provided ... The video above is from that link in the OP ... facepalm ... Last edited: Jan 31, 2019 Upvote 0 Downvote A

anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81 Yes, looks like for the LGA1151, the improvement is only 0.x degrees. Somewhere I read that with the new thermal paste, users only need to renew the application between the CPU and the heatsink every 5 years. What about the older NT-H1? Upvote 0 Downvote C

Campy

Senior member

Jun 25, 2010 785 171 116 NT-H1 is a very good paste. I wouldn't worry about this at all, just use whichever one you already have. If you want absolute best performance buy some Kryonaut instead.

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anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81

Campy said: NT-H1 is a very good paste. I wouldn't worry about this at all, just use whichever one you already have. If you want absolute best performance buy some Kryonaut instead. Click to expand...

Do you mean Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease Paste? How much better is it? Upvote 0 Downvote C

Campy

Senior member

Jun 25, 2010 785 171 116

anandtechreader said: Do you mean Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease Paste? How much better is it? Click to expand...

Yes that's the one. It's not much better, but I think it's still the best paste on the market. You probably won't gain more than 1-2 degrees over NTH1, if that. Upvote 0 Downvote A

anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81 Thanks. I bought the 11.1g version of Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease. From the product photos, it seems to contain just a syringe in a black packagin bag. For the 1g version, from the photos it seems to come with an addition plastic spreader to spread the thermal paste across the CPU. From other posts in the forum, application of a small dot or a X-shape pattern are recommended. Why they included a spreader in the 1g version not the 11.1g version? In one post, somebody mentioned that it is harder to work with compared with the NTH1 as it is gum like. For this thermal paste, do we have to use the spreader to manually spread the paste across the CPU or just use it like the Noctua NTH1 (i.e. applying only a small dot)? Upvote 0 Downvote

LTC8K6

Lifer

Mar 10, 2004 28,520 1,576 126 It should have an applicator with it to spread it properly. https://www.thermal-grizzly.com/images/anleitung_2.jpg https://www.thermal-grizzly.com/images/downloads/TG-ApplicationShortGuide.pdf

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DrMrLordX

Lifer

Apr 27, 2000 23,203 13,289 136

Campy said: Yes that's the one. It's not much better, but I think it's still the best paste on the market. You probably won't gain more than 1-2 degrees over NTH1, if that. Click to expand...

It's the best non-metal paste. Upvote 0 Downvote A

anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81

LTC8K6 said: It should have an applicator with it to spread it properly. https://www.thermal-grizzly.com/images/anleitung_2.jpg https://www.thermal-grizzly.com/images/downloads/TG-ApplicationShortGuide.pdf Click to expand...

Thanks. For this product, why we need to spread the paste by ourselves rather than just add a small drop in the middle and let the pressure between the CPU and heatsink to do the spreading? Upvote 0 Downvote

LTC8K6

Lifer

Mar 10, 2004 28,520 1,576 126

anandtechreader said: Thanks. For this product, why we need to spread the paste by ourselves rather than just add a small drop in the middle and let the pressure between the CPU and heatsink to do the spreading? Click to expand...

I think it probably does not expand well or evenly under pressure, so it needs to be spread out manually in a thin layer. That is just a guess, though. Upvote 0 Downvote

Jan Olšan

Senior member

Jan 12, 2017 624 1,256 136 A colleague from Slovakia that specialises in cooling and similar areas published a review/test of the NT-H2 compound (comparing against NT-H1) and praises it. The text is obviously not in english but graphs are (page 3 of the review), so in conjunction with google translate it should give you an idea. It's here: https://www.hwcooling.net/bohyna-teplovodivych-past-ma-svoje-meno-noctua-nt-h2/ He measured a temperature improvement of 1.2 degree C with a CPU consuming 225 W and 1.8C when the CPU consumed 275 W. The test was with Threadripper which likely has easier transfer between die and IHS than 9900K and a large IHS but it's a relative improvement so it should help a 9900K too. Upvote 0 Downvote

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member

Oct 9, 1999 6,244 557 126 As stated, you only see 1-2C difference between pastes of similar properties (i.e. different non-conductive pastes, different liquid metal pastes, etc). If you already have a non-conductive paste and want to use a non-conductive paste, use what you have. Typically I use MX-2 (as I still have a bunch of it) and it doesn't dry out after application (i.e. it lasts 8-10 years before needing to take a look at it, at which point most people have replaced the component (or if it is a game console, don't mind doing that little bit of care maintenance to keep it working)). If you are out of the type of paste you want to use, then there is a good reason to take a look at the reviews out there and try and get some of the best performing, but also remember that you may be paying a large price premium (Grizzly Kryonaut costs about $18 for 4 grams, while MX4 can be had for $9). Last edited: Feb 5, 2019 Upvote 0 Downvote A

anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81 To Grizzly Kryonaut users.... The company told me that for the 9900K, I can use a dot, a X or spread across the metal method, donesn't matter. However, "While spreading the paste you have to use a bit of pressure and spread it slowly from one side to the other side, with one run lasting about 5 seconds." How thin should I apply the paste if I do the spread all over method? Thin enough to see the words on the top of the CPU? Why I have to use a bit of pressure? By "5 seconds", does that mean within 5 seconds, I have to apply the paste on the CPU surface and screw the heatsink on top of it all in 5 seconds? Why I need to have it done in about 5 second? I asked them but no comment. Upvote 0 Downvote

DrMrLordX

Lifer

Apr 27, 2000 23,203 13,289 136 @anandtechreader the main issue is that you are trying to avoid air bubbles in the TIM. Pressure can assure that you distribute the TIM evenly in a thin layer, and that you may be able to push out air bubbles that form anyway.

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LTC8K6

Lifer

Mar 10, 2004 28,520 1,576 126

anandtechreader said: To Grizzly Kryonaut users.... The company told me that for the 9900K, I can use a dot, a X or spread across the metal method, donesn't matter. However, "While spreading the paste you have to use a bit of pressure and spread it slowly from one side to the other side, with one run lasting about 5 seconds." How thin should I apply the paste if I do the spread all over method? Thin enough to see the words on the top of the CPU? Why I have to use a bit of pressure? By "5 seconds", does that mean within 5 seconds, I have to apply the paste on the CPU surface and screw the heatsink on top of it all in 5 seconds? Why I need to have it done in about 5 second? I asked them but no comment. Click to expand...

They mean that you should spread it slowly, taking ~5 seconds per pass across the chip. That will prevent air getting trapped in the paste. They do not mean you have 5 seconds total... You worry about a lot of stuff...

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anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81

LTC8K6 said: They mean that you should spread it slowly, taking ~5 seconds per pass across the chip. That will prevent air getting trapped in the paste. They do not mean you have 5 seconds total... You worry about a lot of stuff... Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification. How many passes should I do? Am I correct that just apply a thin layer across the metal on the CPU. So thin that I can see the words printed on the the CPU? Upvote 0 Downvote

LTC8K6

Lifer

Mar 10, 2004 28,520 1,576 126 As many passes as it takes to cover the IHS. "As thin as possible" sounds pretty thin. Would it do any good to point out that the free NT-H1 that came with the Noctua cooler is much easier to apply? Upvote 0 Downvote

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member

Oct 9, 1999 6,244 557 126

LTC8K6 said: As many passes as it takes to cover the IHS. "As thin as possible" sounds pretty thin. Would it do any good to point out that the free NT-H1 that came with the Noctua cooler is much easier to apply? Click to expand...

Yes, I agree that "As thin as possible" can indeed be too thin. It all depends on your heatsink and CPU. If they have both been lapped and are known to be dead flat and have been polished to 5-10 microns, then sure, you can aim for that thin as possible style. From looking online, the i9-9900k's lid tends to be high on the edges and concave in the middle, meaning there is a lot of gap. So, you may need as much as .5mm thickness (or more) of thermal paste if your heatsink is flat (which, just like the CPU lid, isn't always the case either). You can lap the CPU lid and heatsink to make things better, but that will void the warranty on the CPU, and possibly on the heatsink as well (usually not as big a deal with the heatsink).

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DrMrLordX

Lifer

Apr 27, 2000 23,203 13,289 136

Fallen Kell said: Yes, I agree that "As thin as possible" can indeed be too thin. It all depends on your heatsink and CPU. If they have both been lapped and are known to be dead flat and have been polished to 5-10 microns, then sure, you can aim for that thin as possible style. From looking online, the i9-9900k's lid tends to be high on the edges and concave in the middle, meaning there is a lot of gap. So, you may need as much as .5mm thickness (or more) of thermal paste if your heatsink is flat (which, just like the CPU lid, isn't always the case either). You can lap the CPU lid and heatsink to make things better, but that will void the warranty on the CPU, and possibly on the heatsink as well (usually not as big a deal with the heatsink). Click to expand...

Every time I lapped one of my CPUs, it became obvious how uneven the IHS surface was. Its so bad that sometimes the nickel coating on the copper slug is not even. I may lap my 1800x this summer before I get Zen2 to see if I can get better temps on it. If I had a 9900k, I'd be tempted to lap that, too. Upvote 0 Downvote A

anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81 What is mean by "lapping" the CPU? What do you think of the amount shown in this video? I asked the manufacturer of Grizzly Kryonaut twice to show me a photo or video on the amount of paste that I should apply. It has been a few days. No comment from them. They charge a high cost for their products. Should have better customer services. Noctua's customer services is excellent. Upvote 0 Downvote

UsandThem

Elite Member

May 4, 2000 16,068 7,383 146 Lapping is when a person uses something like sandpaper to grind down the heatspreader and/or the heatsink. It's nothing you want to do. As far as how to apply the thermal paste, don't overthink it. You can watch any of the different methods on YouTube, and you will be fine as long as you don't use too much (which would squirt out of the sides of your heatsink when pressure is applied). I use the "pea size" method, however, i spread it around the middle of the CPU just a tiny bit (about an inch squared in the middle). When I install my Noctua heatink, it applies enough pressure to spread around the heatspreader.

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anandtechreader

Senior member

Apr 12, 2018 293 5 81

Fallen Kell said: Yes, I agree that "As thin as possible" can indeed be too thin. It all depends on your heatsink and CPU. If they have both been lapped and are known to be dead flat and have been polished to 5-10 microns, then sure, you can aim for that thin as possible style. From looking online, the i9-9900k's lid tends to be high on the edges and concave in the middle, meaning there is a lot of gap. So, you may need as much as .5mm thickness (or more) of thermal paste if your heatsink is flat (which, just like the CPU lid, isn't always the case either). You can lap the CPU lid and heatsink to make things better, but that will void the warranty on the CPU, and possibly on the heatsink as well (usually not as big a deal with the heatsink). Click to expand...

Thanks. I use Noctua NH-D15S. Upvote 0 Downvote

ehume

Golden Member

Nov 6, 2009 1,511 73 91 I always used a 3-4mm bleb on my heatsinks (if you have ever messed with a pea you would say that a pea is way too large). I found that if I made less than a 3mm bleb, the TIM would not spread to the corners of the IHS. If I went over 4mm, I would get spillover -- not that spillover is a bad thing if you use nonconductive paste. The nice thing about Noctua TIMs is that the spillover seemed to cling to the junction, and not fall to the motherboard. For Noctua TIMs give it a day to spread and thin before you try serious overclocking. My favorite was GC Extreme, but we all have our preferences. I like the viscosity of the Noctua: "Just Right," IMO. Glad that they have come out with type 2. Upvote 0 Downvote

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