Thermal Grease

[Clibby]

Are the Arctic Silver 5 and the Ceramique permanent adhesives, or can they be removed?

[Custor]

AS is removeable. Don't know about Ceramique. All of the 'thermal pad' compounds ive ever used are soluble in white spirit. The liquid versions like AS just wipe with a cloth.

[Pent uP Rage]

They are not adhesives. You can use ispropyl alcohol to remove it.(drug store, $.99) The only differences between AS5 and ASC is that ASC is nonconductive(better for watercooling). Otherwise their thermal transfer properties are the same.

[CRS2117]

Why would a non conductive thermal grease be better for watercooling? If water gets into your system, that'll make little difference. Ohh, do a google search for 'oil cooled PC' should get a german picture gallery.

[Pent uP Rage]

Why would a non conductive thermal grease be better for watercooling? If water gets into your system, that'll make little difference

You're right, if water gets in the system you're screwed. But with really low temps, one has to watch for condensation.

Ceramique as well as some dielectric grease will help insulate the cpu from condensation.
It's okay if the cpu die has water on it. It's just getting water into the pins is what's going to fry your PC.

Ever heard of "direct-die cooling"? This is basically a waterblock with a hole in the contact surface that allows the water to cool the cpu directly. It's very effective, but very dangerous in uncapable hands.