What's a good test for a thermal glue?

[TPCEA]

I was given some, but I've never used it before so I'm looking for suggestions on good ways to test it - obviously, without my computer being the guinea pig!

 

[xu^]

is thermal glue something different from thermal paste ? kinda confused here, as never heard it called that before

 

[TPCEA]

is thermal glue something different from thermal paste ? kinda confused here, as never heard it called that before

Yes, it's different. It has thermal conductivity as well as strong adhesion.

 

[Noci]

is thermal glue something different from thermal paste ? kinda confused here, as never heard it called that before

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_adhesive#:~:text=Thermal adhesive is a type,no other mounting mechanisms available.

Never used it myself, but do recall that Arctic in the MX2 period (over a decade ago) had some 2-component ceramic thermal glue to attach small heatsinks to induvidual chips/components like VRAM and VRM's.
But never read any in deep reviews regarding cooling performance or thermal conductive benefits over other solutions. It was just for a one time apllication and don't touch anymore for the lifespan of the component you use it on.
Removing it is a pain in the @ss, like you can read in this thread from twenty years ago: https://forums.overclockersclub.com...lver-thermal-adhesive-removal-is-it-possible/

I would leave it alone and put it on display as an elusive cooling solution monstrosity from the past , things have evolved since then .

 

[damric]

I was given some, but I've never used it before so I'm looking for suggestions on good ways to test it - obviously, without my computer being the guinea pig!

It depends on your needs. Like do you want it permanently attached or something you can remove with slight effort without destroying the chip?

I've used the old stuff you had to mix but nowadays I buy the cheap tube of stuff.


Easycargo Thermal Glue, High... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HCDRL7W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Keeps the stuff on way better than thermal tape but I can easily remove it and scrape it off the IC when I'm done. The only problem with this particular product is that once the tube is opened, the whole tube begins to cure even when you put the lid back on, giving you just a few weeks of usage before it's ruined and you need to buy more.

 

[Noci]

Edit,

@TPCEA , why not send it to Igor's Lab. Maybe he wants to test it and put the results in his database, I quote from this article:

In the coming tasks, I will continue to refine the database, in particular through detailed analyses of very thin layer thicknesses below 30 µm. In addition, long-term assessments of the stability of pastes and pads under thermal stress will continue to be carried out. Other focal points are the expansion of material analyses, the recording of new surface types and the integration of community feedback. The aim is to further expand the database as one of the most well-founded sources for thermally conductive materials and to provide users with an even more precise basis for decision-making. Somehow the whole project is almost mutating into something like a never-ending life’s work, which I’m sure my son will be happy to continue. Let’s see…

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Just ideas!!

Use the paste to glue 2 coins together. Once it cures, set one side on a low watt incandescent light bulb and hold it there with your finger and see how long it takes to warm up the coin. If it seems to take a long time, the glue is acting as an insulator, I wouldn't use it. 2 quarters, test cost total 50 cent.
(Or something similar to this)

 

[AsRock]

I have some in the fridge by arctic silver, it great stuff more so years ago when vram chips were not covered with any thing. Not used it for years as typically they are these days. Used it on AV's in the past to for those DSP chips and other hot spots.

Arctic Silver Thermal Adhesive

www.arcticsilver.com