Artic Silver Thermal Compound: Large<->Small Contact Areas

[Hanky]

Hi,

I've one tiny little question: What's the exact difference between the Arctic Silver Thermal Compound optimized for large contact areas and the one for small contact areas? Please don't tell me I should use the one for small contact areas on a T-Bird and so on. I know that. I'd like to know it more precisely... (Is there difference in the percentage of silver used and so on...(?)).
And when I have some of this stuff for &quot;large contact areas&quot; (from my Socket7 days) and now want to use it on a SocketA-CPU is it still much better than the usual silicon based thermal compound?

Thanks!

 

[Viperoni]

I believe the only difference is the size of the hole at the end of the tip
No jokes, I'm pretty sure that's it.

edit

I believe it's for &quot;easier application&quot; or something along those lines.

/edit

 

[micron]

I think there is something else differant between the two.

 

[BLoop]

I just fired off an email to ArcticSilver.com quoting your post. I'll post the response when I hear back.

 

[maap]

Thought I read somewhere it was just the amount distributed over the surface. Curious to hear Artic Silver's answer.

 

[Hanky]

@BLoop: Thanks for doing that. I hope Arctic Silver has a good explanation.

 

[BLoop]

Well here you go, straight from the horse's mouth.


Actually, both versions use exactly the same syringe. The difference is the viscosity of the compound. Large Contact is a little thinner so it is easier to spread in an even layer over a large area. A slight difference in the silver content as well as the viscosity of the suspension fluid accounts for the difference.

Nevin House
Arctic Silver LLC

So, now you know.

 

[Hanky]

Ok, thanks! It definitely makes sense.
Sounds as if it would lead to a performance loss when using &quot;large contact&quot; on a small contact area and as if &quot;small contact&quot; is harder to use on a large contact area (but no performance loss?!).

I'm just wondering how high the loss in cooling efficiency is when using &quot;large contact&quot; on a small contact area and whether it would still beat the usual silicon based compound (I don't want to spend the money for &quot;small contact ArticSilver&quot; but would rather like to use &quot;large contact&quot; on my T-Bird).

 

[BLoop]

Send him an email. I'm sure he'd be happy to let you know. nevin@arcticsilver.com

 

[Nevin]

Hanky-

I'll just answer here.

Either version will be much better than standard zinc oxide based silicone compound. Using the Large Contact version on a small core may reduce the advantage from approximately 12x to 11.5x or so.

Nevin House
Arctic Silver LLC

 

[Hanky]

Thanks for the information!