What are the pros and cons of using liquid metal as a thermal paste alternative?

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If you're into PC building, you might have heard of liquid metal as a thermal paste alternative. Liquid metal is a compound of gallium, indium, and tin that has a very high thermal conductivity, meaning it can transfer heat more efficiently between your CPU and your cooler. But is it worth the risk of using it? In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of liquid metal, and how to use it safely and effectively.

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Sam Jacobson

Lead Infrastructure Engineer at Discover Financial Services
Joel Joboy Joseph

Passionate About Finding and Securing the Best Talent for Your Team | Talent Acquisition Executive | HR - Recruiter |…

1 What is thermal paste and why do you need it?

Thermal paste is a substance that fills the microscopic gaps between your CPU and your cooler, creating a better contact and reducing the thermal resistance. Thermal resistance is the measure of how much heat is lost or retained in a material, and you want it to be as low as possible for optimal cooling performance. Thermal paste comes in different forms, such as grease, gel, or pad, and has various ingredients, such as ceramic, metal, or carbon.

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Sam Jacobson

Lead Infrastructure Engineer at Discover Financial Services
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The main pro in using liquid metal as a thermal interface materal is performance. Since its metal based, it conducts heat away from your CPU/GPU very well. The main drawback is the electrical characteristics of being metal based, it can leak out onto your motherboard and short out components which would most likely end up in dead hardware. The other concern is what metal your IHS (internal heat spreader) or heatsinks are made out of as liquid metal will eat through things like aluminum.

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2 What are the benefits of liquid metal?

Liquid metal has a much higher thermal conductivity than most thermal pastes, ranging from 60 to 80 W/mK, compared to 5 to 15 W/mK for typical pastes. This means it can transfer heat more quickly and effectively, resulting in lower CPU temperatures and potentially higher overclocking potential. Some users have reported temperature drops of 10 to 20 degrees Celsius after switching to liquid metal. Liquid metal also does not dry out or degrade over time, unlike some thermal pastes, so you don't have to reapply it often.

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Joel Joboy Joseph

Passionate About Finding and Securing the Best Talent for Your Team | Talent Acquisition Executive | HR - Recruiter | CXO Hiring | IMEA
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Better cooling, lower fan noise and the liquid metal lasts more compared to normal thermal paste. Liquid metal is like normal thermal paste on steroids.

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3 What are the drawbacks of liquid metal?

Liquid metal is not without its challenges and risks. First of all, it is very expensive, costing around $10 to $20 per gram, compared to $1 to $5 for thermal pastes. Secondly, it is very difficult to apply, requiring a lot of care and precision. You have to clean the CPU and cooler surfaces thoroughly, spread a very thin layer of liquid metal evenly, and avoid any spills or leaks. Thirdly, it is very corrosive, meaning it can damage your components if it comes in contact with them. Liquid metal can react with aluminum, copper, nickel, and solder, causing them to deteriorate or short-circuit. Therefore, you have to use a compatible cooler that has a copper or nickel-plated base, and protect the surrounding areas with electrical tape or nail polish.

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Joel Joboy Joseph

Passionate About Finding and Securing the Best Talent for Your Team | Talent Acquisition Executive | HR - Recruiter | CXO Hiring | IMEA
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Liquid metal is expensive. You also have to be careful while applying and ensure that it doesn't fall anywhere else as it is a good conductor of electricity.

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4 How to use liquid metal safely and effectively?

If you decide to use liquid metal, it is important to take certain precautions and follow best practices. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling it, as it can be harmful. Use a syringe or a cotton swab to apply a small amount of liquid metal on the CPU and cooler surfaces, and spread it evenly with a plastic tool or a brush. Make sure the cooler is firmly secured on the CPU, and check for any leaks or excess liquid metal. Wipe off any spills with a cloth or paper towel. Then, test your system for stability and temperature, and monitor your components for any signs of corrosion or degradation over time. If any problems arise, remove the liquid metal and replace it with thermal paste.

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5 What are the alternatives to liquid metal?

If you're not comfortable with using liquid metal, or you don't have a compatible cooler, there are other options to improve your cooling performance. You can use high-quality thermal pastes that have higher thermal conductivity than average ones, such as those that contain silver or diamond particles. You can also use thermal pads or graphite sheets that are easier to apply and remove than liquid metal, and have similar or better thermal conductivity. However, these alternatives are also more expensive and may not fit every CPU or cooler model.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Oguzhan Cagirir

ML Engineer & Student @ King’s College London
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Do NOT use liquid metal on aluminium coolers. Please. Galinstan causes embrittlement with some metals, but copper is fine. Do so if you want the cooler to crumble into pieces!

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What are the pros and cons of using liquid metal as a thermal paste alternative?

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1 What is thermal paste and why do you need it?

2 What are the benefits of liquid metal?

3 What are the drawbacks of liquid metal?

4 How to use liquid metal safely and effectively?

5 What are the alternatives to liquid metal?

6 Here’s what else to consider

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