The Official Thermal Interface Material thread

A Computer Guy · Sep 12, 2023

P4-630 said:
Nicely done, it seems your TIM is a bit better spreadable then the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme I used.

Yea that stuff is tough.

freeagent · Sep 12, 2023

TFX was the thickest I have used so far. But it was the dead of winter and my house was cold. Nearly impossible to spread. It worked really well.. but man it sucked to apply. SYY performs pretty close, so I just stuck with it. And its cheap compared to TFX.

Belfaborac · Sep 12, 2023

freeagent said:
TFX was the thickest I have used so far. But it was the dead of winter and my house was cold. Nearly impossible to spread. It worked really well.. but man it sucked to apply. SYY performs pretty close, so I just stuck with it. And its cheap compared to TFX.

I don't know how you and everyone else who uses thick, unwieldy pastes do it, but personally I (used to) put on a rubber glove and spread it with my finger. Use a little time, let the paste warm up as you manhandle it and the heat lets it spread more easily. Come to think of it that's how I've spread all the pastes I've ever used, thick or thin.

Shrek · Sep 12, 2023

lexluthermiester said:
That sounds interesting too. I went looking and didn't find much. Where did you find them?

Lots on amazon or ebay, just search for 'Indium Foil'

lexluthermiester · Sep 12, 2023

Shrek said:
Lots on amazon or ebay, just search for 'Indium Foil'

Ah! That worked. Found the following in three thickness selections.

Indium Foil Cooling Thermal Pad Alternative to Thermal Paste/Grease 40*40mm | eBay

99.995 Pure Indium Thermal Pad 40x40 size. We have this product in 50-100 microns, in 40 40mm, 80 80mm, and 80 240mm sizes.

www.ebay.com

Shrek · Sep 12, 2023

Given what Gallium does to aluminum I was concerned about Indium, but looks like things are OK

Galvanic Corrosion of Indium and Aluminum....Is it Really a Concern??? | Eric Bastow | Indium Corporation Blogs | Indium Corporation

Belfaborac · Sep 12, 2023

lexluthermiester said:
Ah! That worked. Found the following in three thickness selections.

Indium Foil Cooling Thermal Pad Alternative to Thermal Paste/Grease 40*40mm | eBay

99.995 Pure Indium Thermal Pad 40x40 size. We have this product in 50-100 microns, in 40 40mm, 80 80mm, and 80 240mm sizes.

www.ebay.com

Interesting. Presumably 50 micron would be the one to go for?

lexluthermiester · Sep 12, 2023

Belfaborac said:
Interesting. Presumably 50 micron would be the one to go for?

No idea. Never tried them before. Was thinking about trying one of each and posting the results here.

Shrek · Sep 12, 2023

Belfaborac said:
Interesting. Presumably 50 micron would be the one to go for?

Thicker might be good for reusability.

lexluthermiester · Sep 12, 2023

Shrek said:
Given what Gallium does to aluminum I was concerned about Indium, but looks like things are OK

Galvanic Corrosion of Indium and Aluminum....Is it Really a Concern??? | Eric Bastow | Indium Corporation Blogs | Indium Corporation

Getting a 403 error on that link. Got an alternate source?

Shrek said:
Thicker might be good for reusability.

Very likely. Durability would be a factor to consider. Indium is a stronger metal than most, so it'll be interesting to test.

Shrek · Sep 12, 2023

Weird, it works for me.

Belfaborac · Sep 12, 2023

lexluthermiester said:
No idea. Never tried them before. Was thinking about trying one of each and posting the results here.

Excellent. I'll wait for that then.

lexluthermiester · Sep 12, 2023

Shrek said:
Weird, it works for me.

Here's a screen shot.

Even the base domain gives the same result.

DR4G00N · Sep 23, 2023

The paste application on my Vega card went bad again. The block doesn't seem to want to sit perfectly flat on the gpu for some reason even though I've got springs on the mounting hardware.

So I decided to forgo the paste and use my extra IC Graphite pad on it instead. GPU & HBM temps are within a degree or two of paste although the Hotspot is at least 10-20C higher than a fresh paste application but still totally within usable margins. I don't mind this at all if it means I don't have to touch it ever again.

jayjr1105 · Sep 23, 2023

Yikes, 40c GPU but 70c hotspot? I would get a PTM7950 pad. https://a.co/d/eBOb4Om or https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805348508116.html

DR4G00N · Sep 24, 2023

DR4G00N said:
The block doesn't seem to want to sit perfectly flat on the gpu for some reason even though I've got springs on the mounting hardware.

Pretty sure it's the tubing prying on the block. I took it off and again it was barely making contact on the top area. Man I wish I just had a full cover block but it's just not worth paying the price for one.

I just ended up sticking the stock blower back on before I hurt something. Back to 70c gpu / 80c hotspot.

Phenos · Sep 25, 2023

What is the current state of SYY-157? I ordered some syringes a while ago and the consistency was like mainstream easy applyable paste unlike before where it had a consistency similar to Shin-Etsu X23-7921-5 which is hard to find in large sizes and not cost effective for repasting lots of basic laptops (only have an option to import 1KG for around 1200€ with likely alot of tax added on top, for that price importing multiple 160X400 sheets of PTM7950 will be a lot more cost effective).
I used it as a cost effective solution for Direct-die applications where thick viscosity is preferred.
-I work at a laptop refurbishment and high level repair store

freeagent · Sep 25, 2023

Phenos said:
What is the current state of SYY-157? I ordered some syringes a while ago and the consistency was like mainstream easy applyable paste

Yup, that's how it is now. Apply thin, let it sit for 15 and plant the cooler. Have you tried TFX? The last time I used it, it was super thick, and was as good or maybe a little better than SYY.. been awhile so I should buy a new tube.

Phenos · Sep 26, 2023

freeagent said:
Yup, that's how it is now. Apply thin, let it sit for 15 and plant the cooler. Have you tried TFX? The last time I used it, it was super thick, and was as good or maybe a little better than SYY.. been awhile so I should buy a new tube.

I know TFX but it's too expensive when you need to fix multiple laptops daily. I'm searching for something with a large volume like 30ml syringes and acceptable price. Maybe Arctic-MX-6 but the largest tube is 8ml. Most of the laptops are probably used for everyday basic tasks like browsing, email or YouTube videos. Gaming laptops or Direct-die high turbo chips get the PTM treatment.

Shrek · Sep 26, 2023

GD900

$3.50 for 30g on ebay

What's The BEST Thermal Paste in 2019....? (Ft. GD900) - YouTube

80-watt Hamster · Sep 26, 2023

Shrek said:
GD900

$3.50 for 30g on ebay

What's The BEST Thermal Paste in 2019....? (Ft. GD900) - YouTube

I thought GD900 was unfavorable for bare die.

Phenos · Sep 26, 2023

80-watt Hamster said:
I thought GD900 was unfavorable for bare die.

It has an high amount of silicone binder for easy application, I have that stuff as well. Silicones combined with high temperature gasses out of the paste leaving porous dry and cracked crumbly material filled with air-pockets (That's what I see in many laptops). I prefer around 8 to 10% silicone binder for laptop pastes and most mainstream pastes have around 20 to 35%

jayjr1105 · Sep 26, 2023

GD900 is fantastic for anything with an IHS but I agree it has no business being on direct die applications. Try GD-2. It's thicker and would probably work better on direct die stuff.

phanbuey · Sep 26, 2023

DR4G00N said:
The paste application on my Vega card went bad again. The block doesn't seem to want to sit perfectly flat on the gpu for some reason even though I've got springs on the mounting hardware.

View attachment 314887

So I decided to forgo the paste and use my extra IC Graphite pad on it instead. GPU & HBM temps are within a degree or two of paste although the Hotspot is at least 10-20C higher than a fresh paste application but still totally within usable margins. I don't mind this at all if it means I don't have to touch it ever again.

View attachment 314880

Try a kryosheet (put some paste on the ram thermal pads for contact). I have one on my 4090 - i had the same problem - paste would pump out after a few months in one spot and i would have 104C hotspot with 71C GPU temps and the card was sounding like a jet and throttling. Kryosheet now for a few months - temps rock stable, no chance of pump out.

PTM7950 will just squeeze out again - I reapplied twice.

Shrek · Sep 26, 2023

Phenos said:
It has an high amount of silicone binder for easy application, I have that stuff as well. Silicones combined with high temperature gasses out of the paste leaving porous dry and cracked crumbly material filled with air-pockets (That's what I see in many laptops). I prefer around 8 to 10% silicone binder for laptop pastes and most mainstream pastes have around 20 to 35%

I'm a little confused, siicone oil can be good to 500°F (260°C)

System Name	Not a thread ripper but pretty good.
Processor	Ryzen 9 5950x
Motherboard	ASRock X570 Taichi (revision 1.06, BIOS/UEFI version P5.50)
Cooling	EK-Quantum Velocity, EK-Quantum Reflection PC-O11, EK-CoolStream PE 360, XSPC TX360
Memory	Micron DDR4-3200 ECC Unbuffered Memory (4 sticks, 128GB, 18ASF4G72AZ-3G2F1)
Video Card(s)	XFX Radeon RX 5700 & EK-Quantum Vector Radeon RX 5700 +XT & Backplate
Storage	Samsung 2TB 980 PRO 2TB Gen4x4 NVMe, 2 x Samsung 2TB 970 EVO Plus Gen3x4 NVMe, AMD Radeon RAMDisk
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Case	Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic Black (original model)
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Mouse	Logitech M575
Keyboard	Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2
Software	Windows 10 Professional (64bit)
Benchmark Scores	Typical for non-overclocked CPU.

Processor	AMD R9 5900X
Motherboard	Asus Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
Cooling	Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 1x TL-B12, 2x TL-C12 Pro, 2x TL K12
Memory	2x8 G.Skill Trident Z Royal 3200C14, 2x8GB G.Skill Trident Z Black and White 3200 C14
Video Card(s)	Zotac 4070 Ti Trinity OC
Storage	WD SN850 1TB, SN850X 2TB, Asus Hyper M.2, 2x SN770 1TB
Display(s)	LG 50UP7100
Case	Fractal Torrent Compact RGB
Audio Device(s)	JBL 2.1 Deep Bass
Power Supply	Seasonic Vertex GX-1000, Monster HDP1800
Mouse	Logitech G502 Hero
Keyboard	Logitech G213
VR HMD	Oculus 3
Software	Yes
Benchmark Scores	Yes

Processor	AMD Ryzen 7900X
Motherboard	MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi
Cooling	Custom Loop (Watercool/HWLabs)
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-6000 64GB (F5-6000J3040G32GX2-TZ5K)
Video Card(s)	Gainward RTX 4090 Phantom GS
Storage	7 x M.2, 4 x SSD, 2 x HDD.
Display(s)	Alienware AW3423DW
Case	Corsair 7000D Airflow
Audio Device(s)	Logitech Z207, Shanling UA1 Plus
Power Supply	Corsair HX1200
Mouse	Logitech MX Master
Keyboard	Logitech k360
Software	Windows 11 Pro
Benchmark Scores	None, but I think they'd be fairly decent.

System Name	CyberPowerPC ET8070
Processor	Intel Core i5-10400F
Motherboard	Gigabyte B460M DS3H AC-Y1
Memory	2 x Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR4-3000
Video Card(s)	MSI Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Storage	Boot: Intel OPTANE SSD P1600X Series 118GB M.2 PCIE
Display(s)	Dell P2416D (2560 x 1440)
Power Supply	EVGA 500W1
Software	Windows 11 Home

System Name	CyberPowerPC ET8070
Processor	Intel Core i5-10400F
Motherboard	Gigabyte B460M DS3H AC-Y1
Memory	2 x Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR4-3000
Video Card(s)	MSI Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Storage	Boot: Intel OPTANE SSD P1600X Series 118GB M.2 PCIE
Display(s)	Dell P2416D (2560 x 1440)
Power Supply	EVGA 500W1
Software	Windows 11 Home

The Official Thermal Interface Material thread

A Computer Guy

freeagent

Moderator

Belfaborac

Shrek

lexluthermiester

Indium Foil Cooling Thermal Pad Alternative to Thermal Paste/Grease 40*40mm | eBay

Shrek

Belfaborac

Indium Foil Cooling Thermal Pad Alternative to Thermal Paste/Grease 40*40mm | eBay

lexluthermiester

Shrek

lexluthermiester

Shrek

Belfaborac

lexluthermiester

DR4G00N

jayjr1105

DR4G00N

Phenos

New Member

freeagent

Moderator

Phenos

New Member

Shrek

Attachments

80-watt Hamster

Phenos

New Member

jayjr1105

phanbuey

Shrek

Attachments

System Name	The Banshee
Processor	Ryzen 5 5600 @ 4.65GHz CO -30
Motherboard	AsRock X370 Taichi
Cooling	CM Hyper 212 Plus
Memory	16GB 2x8 G.Skill Trident Z 3600 CL16 1.35V
Video Card(s)	RTX 3060M 6GB @ 1750-2100MHz Core / 1875MHz Mem
Storage	1TB Kingston NV2 & 1TB Mass Storage HDD
Display(s)	LG 25UM57-P @ 75Hz OC
Case	Fractal Design Arc XL
Audio Device(s)	ATH-M20x
Power Supply	Evga SuperNova 1300 G2
Mouse	Evga Torq X3
Keyboard	Thermaltake Challenger
Software	Win 10 Pro 64-Bit

System Name	Ryzen 1
Processor	Ryzen 5800X
Motherboard	MSI B550 Gaming Plus
Cooling	Scythe Fuma 2
Memory	32GB Patriot Viper 3600 CL16
Video Card(s)	AMD RX 7800 XT 16GB
Storage	SSD's
Display(s)	HP X32 32" 1440p 165Hz
Case	Phanteks P400A
Power Supply	Superflower Leadex III 750w

System Name	Office
Processor	Ryzen 5600G
Motherboard	ASUS B450M-A II
Cooling	be quiet! Shadow Rock LP
Memory	16GB Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-3200
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte RX 5600 XT
Storage	PNY CS1030 250GB, Crucial MX500 2TB
Display(s)	Dell S2719DGF
Case	Fractal Define 7 Compact
Power Supply	EVGA 550 G3
Mouse	Logitech M705 Marthon
Keyboard	Logitech G410
Software	Windows 10 Pro 22H2

Processor	13700KF Undervolted @ 5.6/ 5.5, 4.8Ghz Ring 200W PL1
Motherboard	MSI 690-I PRO
Cooling	Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 w/ Arctic P12 Fans
Memory	48 GB DDR5 7600 MHZ CL36
Video Card(s)	RTX 4090 FE
Storage	2x 2TB WDC SN850, 1TB Samsung 960 prr
Display(s)	Alienware 32" 4k 240hz OLED
Case	SLIGER S620
Audio Device(s)	Yes
Power Supply	Corsair SF750
Mouse	Xlite V2
Keyboard	RoyalAxe
Software	Windows 11
Benchmark Scores	They're pretty good, nothing crazy.