Liquid metal

JPH1121

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Mar 11, 2006
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I call bull****. Artic Silver is 98% or something silver which happens to be the best conductor until you get to very very very cold ceramique, at least for electrical conductivity but the best electrical conductors are also the best thermal conductors from memory. I'm definately skeptical.

Artic Silver IS practically liquid metal.
 

Kakumba

Senior member
Mar 13, 2006
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actually, I have seen a fair few reviews, all saying the same thing. its conductive properies own, but its a b*tch to apply, and generally not great due to its electrical conductivity. wouldnt use it for day to day use.
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
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Yeah...I'll stay a few degrees hotter and keep my AS Ceramique.

It's interesting, but I ain't touching it.
 

Navid

Diamond Member
Jul 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: JPH1121
I call bull****. Artic Silver is 98% or something silver

According to this description on the Arctic Silver web site, in the "Features" section, "Contains 99.9% pure silver".

Correct me if I am wrong. But, that means that when they mix it, one of the ingredients is 99.9% silver. That does not mean that 99.9% of Arctic Silver is silver!

Silver is a precious metal. If 98% of Arctic Silver was silver, you would not be able to buy a tube for $5.00!
 

Cheesetogo

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2005
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Originally posted by: Navid
Originally posted by: JPH1121
I call bull****. Artic Silver is 98% or something silver

According to this description on the Arctic Silver web site, in the "Features" section, "Contains 99.9% pure silver".

Correct me if I am wrong. But, that means that when they mix it, one of the ingredients is 99.9% silver. That does not mean that 99.9% of Arctic Silver is silver!

Silver is a precious metal. If 98% of Arctic Silver was silver, you would not be able to buy a tube for $5.00!

You are correct.

Arctic Silver 5 contains over 88% thermally Conductive filler by weight.
 

Snerp

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: JPH1121
the best electrical conductors are also the best thermal conductors from memory.

Gold is the best electric conductor, but even copper beats it out on heat.

I ordered some of this and got it last week. I've been too lazy to disconnect my water-cooling in order to properly put this on. I opened the top of it and put some on a piece of paper. It's really liquid metal. I'll probably put it on tonight and I'll post what I think about it.

The cool lab has been around for a while. I was going to order some from Germany, but at $25 I passed. The only major downside to this stuff is that on a few of the chips out there, it actually bonded to the IHS. It will probably void your warranty if it does that, but technically so does over clocking.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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Arctic Cooling MX-1 is better than AS5 according to Madshrimps; I'd take that or AS5 over this stuff simply because of its risks and unproven performance
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: Snerp
Originally posted by: JPH1121
the best electrical conductors are also the best thermal conductors from memory.

Gold is the best electric conductor, but even copper beats it out on heat.

No it's not! :|

Gold doesn't corrode, which is why it's used as contacts, silver is a better electrical conductor than either of them.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
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this liquid metal stuff is not going into my rig. i'm not about to melt anything on my Freezer.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
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Originally posted by: JPH1121
I call bull****. Artic Silver is 98% or something silver which happens to be the best conductor until you get to very very very cold ceramique, at least for electrical conductivity but the best electrical conductors are also the best thermal conductors from memory. I'm definately skeptical.

Artic Silver IS practically liquid metal.

Its not BS. This was talked a lot in this forum. The metal is a form of gallilium. I think i spelled that completely wrong, but the metal stays close to liquid at room temps. This however has a problem with aluminum as it will eat it right away.

Also as someone above me discussed, AS5 uses 99.9% silver dust in there product but there is no way in hell the entire thing is made up of 99.9% silver. The thing wouldnt even come out of the bottle if that was the case. Not to mention it would cost way more then 5.99 for a little bottle.

Personally, the risk in using this is too high, expecially with people who have the IHS removed. This stuff conducts electricity from what i hear and that would mean bad bad news if it ever got on your board or any of the resistors.

And to be honest, as a lot of people will tell you, AS5, ceremic, the generic stuff you get, the difference between these TIMs are very marginal. 2-3C's at most, with the very rare 5C deltas on others. Id rather just hack my IHS off then use that crap because i also heard that it will bond to the IHS, and either way warrenty is voided. Also i garentee you'll get better results with IHS removal then using this liquid pro on a IHS cpu.
 

sodcha0s

Golden Member
Jan 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Originally posted by: Snerp
Originally posted by: JPH1121
the best electrical conductors are also the best thermal conductors from memory.

Gold is the best electric conductor, but even copper beats it out on heat.

No it's not! :|

Gold doesn't corrode, which is why it's used as contacts, silver is a better electrical conductor than either of them.

This is correct, silver is the best conductor and is mainly used in relay contacts, gold is used mostly on plug type connections because it does not corrode or tarnish.
 

Kakumba

Senior member
Mar 13, 2006
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aigomorla: Gallium. Atomic number 31. http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Ga/key.html Anyways, yes, Ag conducts electricity best of all pure elements that I am aware of. Au of course corrodes insanely slowly, and only really bonds with Hg. hence it is good for contacts where any tarnish etc would degrade performance.

Anyways, I hope we have all had enough chemistry for one day. I will see if I can find out what reaction goes on between this stuff an Al, but not sure if I will succeed, need to know the makeup of the crazy liquid metal.
 

thecoolnessrune

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2005
9,673
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Wouldn't this run everywhere like a liquid? Secondly, Having to always make sure you use a copper or nickel plated heatsink will be an additional pain (Although if your using this stuff, your most likely on straight copper already).

And lastly, doesn't mercury transfer heat greater then all other elements? (Hence why it may be a liquid metal and moves similarly to mercury)
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Wouldn't this run everywhere like a liquid? Secondly, Having to always make sure you use a copper or nickel plated heatsink will be an additional pain (Although if your using this stuff, your most likely on straight copper already).

And lastly, doesn't mercury transfer heat greater then all other elements? (Hence why it may be a liquid metal and moves similarly to mercury)

Nope, check out this chart
http://www.monachos.gr/eng/resources/thermo/conductivity.htm

Silver is the most thermally conductive metal, with copper close behind
 

Kakumba

Senior member
Mar 13, 2006
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Actually, sodium wouldnt be too bad. well, in liquid form (if you can manage it) then it would...... but in solid form its not that bad. still lose your computer though. Potassium on the other hand.... GONE
 

Snerp

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: sodcha0s
Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Originally posted by: Snerp
Originally posted by: JPH1121
the best electrical conductors are also the best thermal conductors from memory.

Gold is the best electric conductor, but even copper beats it out on heat.

No it's not! :|

Gold doesn't corrode, which is why it's used as contacts, silver is a better electrical conductor than either of them.

This is correct, silver is the best conductor and is mainly used in relay contacts, gold is used mostly on plug type connections because it does not corrode or tarnish.


Ok, my bad, but I was halfway right ;) We are mainly focused on heat in this thread anyways :p

Take a look at what the product says. It says after 48 hours it sets up or something. People have used this stuff without any problems. AS5 is conductive and you don't see everyone and their uncle burning stuff up. Basically if you read the directions, do as they say and you don't do something stupid it will be fine.
 

Kakumba

Senior member
Mar 13, 2006
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yes, but have you seen how HARD it is to apply it? that is testing done by THEM. so take it with a grain of salt. but yeah, seriously, every review I have read says its nigh on impossible to apply. they manage in the end, but its not easy.
 

akugami

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2005
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Anyone else thinking this stuff would be good for practical jokes?
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
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A few drops on a stock HSF to convince your parents or wife to get you a new one...lol