Pastes: Xigmatek
Xigmatek PTI-G3606
Xigmatek’s entry-level paste is called PTI-G3606, and it sells at a mid-range price. Measured thermal performance is acceptable and its ease of use is even commendable. At the end of the day, this is a solid product at a fair price for mainstream hardware enthusiasts. It's simply not what we'd recommend for more hardcore overclockers.
| Xigmatek PTI-G3606 | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 5.0 W/(m*K) |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 32.8 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 36.9 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37.3 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 66.5 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 3 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 8 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | This paste seems best suited for the "lentil ball" method, and should be used in average-temperature rooms, from 70 °F |
| Price (approximate) | $6 (3 grams) |
Xigmatek PTI-G4512
Xigmatek's premium thermal compound doesn't even cost more than its entry-level offering. But the trade-off for better thermal performance is higher viscosity. Before using it, warm this paste up. Although it's not really for beginners, we do get a good price/performance ratio out of the PTI-G4512 from Xigmatek.
| Xigmatek PTI-G4512 | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 2.5 W/(m*K) |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 32.4 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 36.4 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 66.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 5 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 5 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | The paste can be spread more easily if you warm it to 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot of water, sealed in a water-tight pouch. |
| Price (approximate) | $6 (3 grams) |
Xigmatek (Paste Bundled with Xigmatek Coolers)
This is another paste bundled with a cooler we picked up off the shelf. In our tests, the freebie fares slightly worse than Xigmatek's low-end aftermarket stuff, but not by much. It's an average compound that you shouldn't feel compelled to shy away from.
| Xigmatek (Paste Bundled with Xigmatek Coolers) | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | Data not available |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 33.2 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 37.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37.5 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 68.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 4 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 7 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | This paste seems best suited for the "lentil ball" method, and should be used in average-temperature rooms, from 70 °F. It may be easier to use if you warm it up, though that's not a requirement. |
| Price (approximate) | N/A |