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What will happen if I use this cheap Galium instead of buying branded Liquid Metal ?
- Thread starter 2wick_10029
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Usual running temps for CPUs is in the 60-80C range, gallium will melt by then.
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Ah yes, liquid metal all over your motherboard and CPU socket..
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Standard liquid metal is mostly gallium, alloyed with some other metals (usually indium) to reduce its melting point.
Pure gallium will work as LM, but the difficulty lies in application, as it is a solid at room temperature. I imagine you may be able to find a day warm enough to have it melted at ambient, if you live in Singapore. Otherwise, you may have to heat it up before application.
Standard warnings apply, make sure you have the right amount and don't spill any. Any drop spilled can kill your motherboard and potentially other components.
Be VERY careful that you do not use LM of any type with aluminum components. It is also not recommended for bare copper - nicked-plated is more resistant to the action of the gallium. Bare copper is not affected nearly as much as aluminum though.
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A short circuit/s and hundreds of dollars of repair costs will happen, no matter which liquid metal you use. Properties of metals...
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Liquid metal in terms of the raw gallium OP is talking about. I'm pretty sure I already know about the "paste" version and it's uses and warnings.
Standard liquid metal is mostly gallium, alloyed with some other metals (usually indium) to reduce its melting point.
Pure gallium will work as LM, but the difficulty lies in application, as it is a solid at room temperature. I imagine you may be able to find a day warm enough to have it melted at ambient, if you live in Singapore. Otherwise, you may have to heat it up before application.
Standard warnings apply, make sure you have the right amount and don't spill any. Any drop spilled can kill your motherboard and potentially other components.
Be VERY careful that you do not use LM of any type with aluminum components. It is also not recommended for bare copper - nicked-plated is more resistant to the action of the gallium. Bare copper is not affected nearly as much as aluminum though.
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No doubt. I was directing my post mostly to the OP.
I just failed to see how pure gallium was any different than commercial LM TIM, besides higher melting point.
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I missed that step.
OP, all liquid metal compounds are liquid so this should be no different. However I highly doubt this is actually pure gallium but instead probably commercially available "galinstan" compound.
Galinstan - Wikipedia
Melting points are off though, so who knows.
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I think pure gallium (my link) has way lower thermal conductivity than galinstan (true liquid metal thermal paste)