You’re no noob. So when you’re new processor and cooling unit comes packed with some generic thermal paste, you’re smart enough to toss that gunk and grab something a bit more powerful. While each person has their own personal favorite, Noctua’s NT-H1 pro-grade TIM solution is definitely one to consider regardless of whether you’re going for extended component life or to push your system to the limit.

Having a  hybrid composition made up of different micro-particles allows for the NT-H1 to be perfectly optimized for use inside a PC. The compound has a much lower thermal resistance than most, allowing for it to work at temperatures other thermal paste aren’t even remotely effective at.

With the debate ever raging on as to how to apply thermal paste, it’s nice to see that NT-H1 stands firmly behind the dot method. Instead of wasting NT-H1 by spreading it manually across the surface, their instructions recommend that you put one drop onto the center of your CPU prior to installing your cooling unit and simply let the pressure spread it out for you. This works very well in general with most thermal paste, but I found the NT-H1 much more responsive to this method then prior compounds used.

One test I witnessed with the NT-H1 in use actually showed something very interesting. Usually it takes awhile for the paste to be effective after first applying it. This period of time is known as the “burn-in” time and can take quite awhile, leaving your system operating at higher temperatures. The NT-H1 had relatively no delay in it’s effectiveness against competitor products, which is really nice when you think about it. If you’ve ever bought a new car they tell you not to pass 80 mph until you hit the first 1,000 miles. In a poor comparison, why would it be ok to put that much stress on a never used CPU?

Rarely have I had a processor long enough to have to re-apply the thermal paste, but perhaps I’ve just replaced them around the same time I should have. Either way, the NT-H1 is said to last several years without needing a reapplication, due to the fact that it possesses a low dielectric constant and high dielectric strength (meaning it won’t short) nor will it corrode. This is a really great quality of the product considering you probably won’t think to re-apply yours either.

If you take a step back and think about it, the NT-H1 sounds pretty heavy duty. Next time you’re building a new system or perhaps re-applying the thermal paste of an old system, seriously consider the Noctua NT-H1 pro-grade TIM solution.

Noctua NT-H1 pro-grade TIM solution provided for review by Noctua.at

Tags: cpu, heat, heat paste, Noctua's NT-H1 pro-grade TIM solution, NT-H1, Thermal Paste