🛑 The BEST WAY To Cool AMD CPU 😲 (Kryosheet vs Direct die vs HeatSpreader) 😱

Summary

In this detailed video, the YouTuber tests various cooling solutions for the AM5 950x CPU to find the best option with minimal maintenance. They explore methods such as delidding, using a thermal heat spreader, direct die cooling, and cryo sheets, comparing their effects on temperature, performance, and power draw. Direct die cooling emerges as the top performer, offering significant temperature reductions. Liquid metal and heat spreaders also show promising results, though cryo sheets prove less effective due to clamping issues. The video concludes that for workstation users and enthusiasts, direct die cooling or heat spreaders with liquid metal are ideal, while casual gamers can stick with stock cooling.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video focuses on testing different cooling methods for AM5 CPUs, with an emphasis on ease of maintenance and performance.
• 😀 The goal is to identify the most efficient cooling method for the 950X Pro Art system while keeping maintenance minimal.
• 😀 The initial baseline test involves running Cinebench with the stock 950X, tracking clock speeds, temperatures, and power draw.
• 😀 Delidding and lapping the CPU did not significantly improve performance, only reducing temperatures by a small margin.
• 😀 The thermal Grizzly AM5 heat spreader provided a noticeable improvement in temperatures (5-6°C) compared to stock cooling.
• 😀 Direct die cooling (placing the CPU directly in contact with the cooler) resulted in the biggest temperature drop, lowering temperatures by 15-16°C.
• 😀 A cryo sheet was tested but proved ineffective due to insufficient clamping force, which prevented optimal heat transfer.
• 😀 Liquid metal was applied to both the CPU and heat spreader, improving temperatures by 5°C compared to using regular thermal paste.
• 😀 Direct die cooling consistently offered the best performance, making it ideal for enthusiasts seeking maximum performance from Zen 5 CPUs.
• 😀 For gamers, the stock cooling is sufficient, and modding or delidding is unnecessary unless seeking performance beyond stock specifications.
• 😀 The video concludes with the suggestion that if you're not interested in modifying your CPU or increasing performance, keeping the stock IHS and warranty intact is recommended.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The video aims to explore various cooling methods for the AM5 CPUs, particularly focusing on the 950X Pro Art system, to determine which option provides the best cooling performance with minimal maintenance.

What is the initial setup for testing the cooling methods?

The initial setup involves testing the 950X stock CPU with a custom cooling loop, running Cinebench to check clock speeds, temperatures, and power draw as baseline data.

What is the difference between delidding and lapping the IHS versus using a thermal Grizzly heat spreader?

Delidding and lapping the IHS had minimal effect on temperature reduction, only reducing the temperature by 1-2°C. In contrast, the thermal Grizzly heat spreader lowered temperatures by 5-6°C and provided slightly better clock speeds.

How did the direct die cooling method perform compared to the other methods?

Direct die cooling showed the best performance, lowering temperatures by 15-16°C compared to the heat spreader, making it 20°C cooler than stock cooling, resulting in the highest performance in the tests.

Why did the cryo sheet not perform well on the AM5 CPU?

The cryo sheet didn't perform well because it lacked enough clamping pressure on the CPU, leading to poor thermal contact. The heat spreader requires strong clamping force for optimal performance, which wasn't achieved with the available hardware.

What happens when the cryo sheet is manually pressed down during testing?

When the cryo sheet was manually pressed down with added force, temperatures improved, but this method is impractical as it requires significant pressure to maintain effective contact. It would likely work better on GPUs with better mounting pressure.

What role does liquid metal play in improving cooling performance?

Liquid metal significantly improved cooling performance when applied to both sides of the heat spreader, lowering temperatures by an additional 5-6°C compared to regular thermal paste, but it was still not as effective as direct die cooling.

Is it recommended to use liquid metal on both sides of the heat spreader?

While the results with liquid metal were good, it's not recommended for everyday use due to the risks of spills and the potential for damaging the motherboard. It's not considered a safe or practical long-term solution.

What is the key takeaway for gamers who are looking to upgrade their CPU cooling?

For gamers who simply want to play games, it's not worth modifying the cooling system, as the stock IHS will perform well enough. Any performance gains from advanced cooling methods like direct die cooling won't significantly impact gaming performance.

What cooling solution is best for workstation users or hardware enthusiasts?

For workstation users or hardware enthusiasts, direct die cooling provides the best performance. However, for those using an AIO cooler, a heat spreader with liquid metal is a good alternative that offers a balance of performance and ease of use without the complexity of direct die cooling.