Innovation Cooling 7 Carat Diamond TIM Test results thread *NOW ACCEPTING RESULTS!!*

[Nademon]

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY BEFORE TESTING/POSTING YOUR IC7 RESULTS!!!



RESULTS THREAD IS NOW LIVE!!!

PLEASE ONLY POST WITH RESULTS WHEN YOU HAVE FULL RESULTS, OTHERWISE YOUR POST MAY NOT BE SEEN BY ALL IF YOU RESERVE THE POST FOR LATER RESULTS WITH IC7. PEOPLE TEND TO GO TO THE NEWEST POST, SO IF YOU WANT IT TO BE SEEN BY ALL, POST YOUR RESULTS ONCE YOU HAVE THEM ALL. ALL OTHER DISCUSSION/SUPPORT POSTS, GO RIGHT AHEAD!!

PLEASE BE SURE TO BENCHMARK YOUR CPU TEMPS WITH YOUR CURRENT TIM AND RECORD YOUR RESULTS BEFORE USING IC7 FOR TESTING. WE NEED BEFORE AND AFTER PLEASE!

ALSO, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CHANGE ANY VARIABLE OTHER THAN THE THERMAL COMPOUND USED FOR BEFORE/AFTER (I.E. SAME VOLTS/CLOCKS, COOLER, AND OTHER HARDWARE)


APPLICATION METHOD

For all those participating in the IC7 giveaway, please follow this link to the Innovation Cooling website:

Innovation Cooling

Proper application is the key to this product. The nature and consistency of this product is likely quite different from what most of you are used to in a Thermal Compound. Don't use traditional methods of applying the TIM like razor blades, lines, x's, etc. Through extensive testing, the best application method has been determined to be a pea sized amount directly in the center of the CPU. The TIM should be adequately spread via the downforce of the CPU cooler (a sufficient amount of downforce will provide best results; minimum 50psi of downforce should be the goal for optimum results. please see the Innovation Cooling website for more info). Also, for coolers/surfaces that have many peaks and valleys, it may be beneficial to wet the surface(s) with a small amount of IC7 to initially fill the voids in the mounting surfaces...then proceed with recommended application as usual. Please click on the link below for application methodology and shoot me a PM if you have any questions.

Keep in mind, IC7 has been formulated with the specific goals of providing superb thermal conductivity with short set times, but also for long term stability and performance without pump/bakeout through extended thermal cycling or usage. This stuff is very stable over long periods of time.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please do feel free to navigate through the whole Innovation Cooling website as there is tonnes of information on there that might prove beneficial.

HOW TO POST RESULTS

THE FORMAT IS AS FOLLOWS (ALL TEMPS IN C):

OPTIONAL INFO: PROCESSOR, VOLTS/CLOCKS, HEATSINK/COOLING USED, ETC.

Pre-IC7
Compound:
Abient Temp:
Idle Temp:
Load Temp:

IC7
Ambient Temp:
Idle Temp:
Load Temp:


If you have any problems or need support, please feel free to post here for now. The goal is to get all this info posted in the results thread which I will create shortly and ask Gav to sticky also. Remember, proper application and good even heatsink pressure (goal should be minimum of 50psi or more) are crucial for peak performance. Too much or too little compound will impact your results so please do visit the Innovation Cooling website for Application Instructions with images and explanations. There is a direct link in the second post in this thread. For those with direct touch heatpipe coolers, you might want to try wetting the contact surface of the cooler with a tiny amount of IC7 to fill any small voids before proceeding with the normal application method.

[Nademon]

reserved

[Nademon]

reserved x2

[Jonwall]

Pre-IC7
Compound: Whatever came with my vendetta 2
Abient Temp: 18
Idle Temp: 29
Load Temp: 46

IC7
Ambient Temp: 18
Idle Temp: 29
Load Temp: 44

2 degrees lower under load, sometimes goes down to 43 or up to 45 but not for long. Idle temps remained the same as my previous tim

[slntdth93]

Pre-IC7
Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2
Ambient Temp: 20
Idle Temp: 37
Load Temp: 52

IC7
Ambient Temp: 21
Idle Temp: 32 (just mounted mind you)
Load Temp: 46

Other Data
Heatsink: OCZ Vendetta 2 + Bolt-thru Kit + Scythe S-Flex F

Amazing. I even though i messed up the mount

[lpfan4ever]

My set-up:
CPU Block - EK Supreme Acetal
North Bridge Block - Swiftech MCW30
Radiator - Swiftech MCR220QP Dual 120MM Tri Cools @ high speed setting, custom painted white
Reservoir - Swiftech MicroRES V2
Pump - Danger Den DD-CP Pro
Tubing - Primochill Primoflex 1/2" ID / 3/4" OD Tubing, Black w/ 3/4" UV Reactive Red Anti-Kinking Coils
Coolant - Distilled Water, with Switech Hydrx Additive

Loops order is: Pump<Rad<CPU<NB<Res<Pump


Results with MX-2:
Ambient - Approx 20C
Idle - Core 0/1 - 32C
Core 2/3 - 29C
Load - Core 0/1 - 41C
Core 2/3 - 38C

Results with IC7:
Ambient - Approx 21C
Idle - Core 0/1 - 31
Core 2/3 -29
Load - Core0/1 - 39
Core2/3 -36

So, results here are basically no change with idle temps, and load temps gave me 2C cooler results. I also have a feeling that my bedroom has warmed up a tad bit since I tested the MX-2, so there may have been more of a difference that way.

[CasheKicker]

Pre-IC7
Compound: Artic Coolin MX2
Ambient Temp: 23Deg C
Idle Temp: 41 - 38
Load Temp: 57 - 52

Pre-IC7
Compound: Silver Stone
Abient Temp: 23
Idle Temp: 42 - 38
Load Temp: 57 - 53

IC7
Ambient Temp: 23
Idle Temp: 40 -38
Load Temp: 55 - 50

Other Data
Heatsink: ThermalRight Ultra 120, with Single Noctua NF-P12 (pushing)
System - Rig #1, Stock Clocks.
Test Method - OCCT CPU Test, Default settings.

[Nademon]

Originally Posted by Jonwall

Pre-IC7
Compound: Whatever came with my vendetta 2
Abient Temp: 18
Idle Temp: 29
Load Temp: 46

IC7
Ambient Temp: 18
Idle Temp: tba
Load Temp: 44

2 degrees lower under load, sometimes goes down to 43 or up to 45 but not for long. Probably going to have idle temps tomorrow after idling the pc all night.

I also used it on a Vendetta2 with a E3110 but i seemed to have gotten a larger change in temps. Did you try wetting the underside of the Vendetta2 first to fill in the small gaps in between the heatsinks? I did it that way and I can't remember the exact figures, but I know I got more than an 8C difference under load. The E3110 is was OC'd to 4Ghz with a bit over 1.4v.

And slntdth93, those are some great results!! that seems in line with what I got with a Vendetta2.


Also, besides regular support/discussion posts, I think it would be best if everyone make a results post when they actually have results. Usually people just go to the newest posts so if you're reserving a post for later results, they may not get seen by everyone once the thread has tonnes more pages.

[Jonwall]

Originally Posted by Nademon

I also used it on a Vendetta2 with a E3110 but i seemed to have gotten a larger change in temps. Did you try wetting the underside of the Vendetta2 first to fill in the small gaps in between the heatsinks? I did it that way and I can't remember the exact figures, but I know I got more than an 8C difference under load. The E3110 is was OC'd to 4Ghz with a bit over 1.4v.

And slntdth93, those are some great results!! that seems in line with what I got with a Vendetta2.


Also, besides regular support/discussion posts, I think it would be best if everyone make a results post when they actually have results. Usually people just go to the newest posts so if you're reserving a post for later results, they may not get seen by everyone once the thread has tonnes more pages.

I actually did lol, but didnt plan on it. I had to reapply it so i just sort of pushed it all into the cracks, im sure i could have done a better job if i was planning on doing that in the first place. And also my cpu only has a very slight oc atm, 3.25ghz vs 3ghz. Never thought to get some 3.6ghz temps before i removed the old stuff :(
Ill do some digging around in my old posts on some forums to see if i can get the temps i had under max oc with the old stuff and compare it, it wont be a direct comparison because conditions would have been different but it should give people a vague idea of how well this stuff performs under higher loads.

[ASharp]

I haven't gotten all of the results yet but I'll post what I have so far with my current TIM. I should have some IC7 results later tonight at which point I'll update this post. To stress the CPU I used Prime95's small FFT test. To stress the GPU, I ran FurMark.

Pre-IC7 (CPU)
Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2
Ambient Temp: 22C
Idle Temp: 33C
Load Temp: 50C

Pre-IC7 (GPU)
Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2
Ambient Temp: 22C
Idle Temp: 39C
Load Temp: 69C

IC7 (CPU)
Ambient Temp: 22C
Idle Temp: 32C
Load Temp: 48C

IC7 (GPU)
Ambient Temp: 24C
Idle Temp: 38C
Load Temp: 69C

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 920 @ 3.5GHz, 1.425v
CPU Cooling: Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer with Yate Loon D12SL-12
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 @ 650/1025
GPU Cooling: Akasa Vortexx Neo

Tests were run in an Antec P182 case with side panel off.

[Nademon]

Originally Posted by ASharp

I haven't gotten all of the results yet but I'll post what I have so far with my current TIM. I should have some IC7 results later tonight at which point I'll update this post. To stress the CPU I used Prime95's small FFT test. To stress the GPU, I ran FurMark.

Pre-IC7 (CPU)
Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2
Ambient Temp: 22C
Idle Temp: 33C
Load Temp: 50C

Pre-IC7 (GPU)
Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2
Ambient Temp: 22C
Idle Temp: 39C
Load Temp: 69C

IC7 (CPU)
Ambient Temp:
Idle Temp:
Load Temp:

IC7 (GPU)
Ambient Temp:
Idle Temp:
Load Temp:

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 920 @ 3.5GHz, 1.425v
CPU Cooling: Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer with Yate Loon D12SL-12
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 @ 650/1025
GPU Cooling: Akasa Vortexx Neo

Tests were run in an Antec P182 case with side panel off.

Really looking forward to these results! I'm really interested in the GPU results as I've had great success with IC7 when I push it really hard...and the GPU will get the job done!

I'm suggesting to everyone not to post results until they have most or all of them so your post won't get missed by people that go straight to the newest post. If you reserve your post early on, chances are it will get overlooked by the time you come back and fill in the data.

And keep in mind everyone that there may be a learning curve or adjustment period for people that have never used a paste with this consistency. Once you get used to it, application becomes pretty routine and that's when you get great results (this is from my own personal experience...I've used it so much at this point I always tend to get a great mount with IC7)

Keep on keepin on!!

[Jonwall]

Originally Posted by Nademon

Really looking forward to these results! I'm really interested in the GPU results as I've had great success with IC7 when I push it really hard...and the GPU will get the job done!

I'm suggesting to everyone not to post results until they have most or all of them so your post won't get missed by people that go straight to the newest post. If you reserve your post early on, chances are it will get overlooked by the time you come back and fill in the data.

And keep in mind everyone that there may be a learning curve or adjustment period for people that have never used a paste with this consistency. Once you get used to it, application becomes pretty routine and that's when you get great results (this is from my own personal experience...I've used it so much at this point I always tend to get a great mount with IC7)

Keep on keepin on!!

Ya i dont think ive done the greatest job applying it, ive only even applied any thermal paste twice before lol, and it was pretty runny compared to this. Maybe they should send me a massive tube of it for practice :D

[ASharp]

Originally Posted by Nademon

I'm suggesting to everyone not to post results until they have most or all of them so your post won't get missed by people that go straight to the newest post. If you reserve your post early on, chances are it will get overlooked by the time you come back and fill in the data.

Yeah. Sorry about that! I'll admit, I didn't completely read your original post until after I had posted my results with MX-2.

Anyway, I've been running the tests now and I've updated my previous post with my IC7 results. Differences weren't very dramatic like previous posters but in my case it was easily able to compete with MX-2 and one-up it by a degree or two. Awesome stuff!

I'll be away this weekend but on Monday when I get back, I'll see if I can maybe swap out the IC7 for some OCZ Freeze and some GELID TIM that I have lying around and see how they compete.

[ICD7]

Introducing myself here - Andrew from innovation cooling


I thought I would post some raw pressure/contact film image results from another give away along with the thermal result to kick things off. I occasionally provide test kits to a few members to test the integrity of their mounts as a reminder illustration of how important it is to have a secure (tight mount) and good contact to optimize performance.

In most cases 80% see a result right out of the gate. In sampling of 4 different forums using the contact film it was found that the 20% who did not approx. 80% of those (Alfrado Defrado's rule?) were found to either have insufficient contact and/or not enough pressure for good thermal transfer.

While the test user had a positive result of -2C he was able to improve his performance by adding more pressure with a "washer mod" to drop temps 5C.

Nice clean prints. The 8A was a before a "washer mod" and 8B was after the "washer mod"

The increase in performance matches nicely with the increased contact and pressure (actually is as good as a couple of the better ones I have on file)

It's a nice illustration which you people already know and reinforces probably the most recommended forum troubleshooting solution to cpu thermal problems - Lap and tighten/balance the sink.

Thanks tkl.hui for the extra effort, much appreciated

Note: The "washer mod" in this case were washers that were used to shim the sink to increase the pressure/contact between the sink and IHS.

[ICD7]

Might as well add the full digital analysis this is the 8A result

Not a bad result pressure wise, approx. 1 C under the average, overall force in the 50lb range, average 43lbs. 50lbs is generally/approx. the beginning of the optimal pressure range

On the contact side of things some pressure bias on the left and right sides vs lighter or no contact on the top/bottom axis. A common print with the high spot in the middle making for a kind of "island in the lake" look.