Tuniq TX-2 Thermal Paste

Testing Methodology

In order to conduct a fair review process that will highlight flaws or performance issues pertaining to a particular product, testing needs to be both realistic and validatable. When working with cooling gear, sure you can make comparative measurements, but issues can arise that will stop you from being able to take one person's results and transfer them to another person's computer. Even if that other computer has the same motherboard and processor. Subsequently, the testing that you will see here has been conducted under real-life operating conditions and every effort has been made to reduce the risk of human error clouding the end result.

Todays testing will be using the following hardware:

Hardware
* Intel Core2 Duo e6600 with Intel reference heatsink
* ASUS P5B Deluxe wifi/App motherboard
* 2GB Corsair PC2-6400 XMS2 RAM
* Gigabyte GeForce 7600 GS with Silent Pipe passive heatsink
* Antec EarthWatts 500W PSU
* Antec P160W case

Thermal Paste
* Arctic Silver 5
* Tuniq TX-2

You will notice that I have chosen to run with Intel's reference heatsink for the duration of this review. The reason that I have chosen to do so is quite simple really. Because of the myriad of alternative cooling solutions available to you the consumer, if you can see impressive results from the reference cooler, then you know that an alternative heatsink should give significantly better results.

For the testing process I will be applying each respective thermal paste as evenly and consistently as possible, and then after mounting the heatsink, start up the system and let it idle for 30 minutes. Once the temperature has stabilised, it will be recorded. For load testing the CPU will endure 30 minutes of Stress Prime 2004 and again the temperature will be recorded. CPU temperatures will be taken using Core Temp Beta 0.95.4 and ambient temperatures will be taken using a mercury thermometer (allowed to aclimatise). Internal case temperatures will be measured using a Scythe Kama Thermo with the probe situated in the top quarter of the case. All testing will be conducted from within the case, with the side panel on. At the conclusion of each thermal paste testing phase, both the CPU and heatsink will be thoroughly cleaned using ArctiClean.

 Right enough of the formalities...on with the testing!