Liquid Metal vs Thermal Paste: Pros, Cons, and Choice

Perhaps every computer user at least once heard about the miraculous properties of liquid metal. But then one interesting question arises why, with such excellent thermal conductivity, it remains unclaimed when assembling a PC and loses to thermal paste? 

Let’s start with the general designation of the word thermal interface this is a multi-component substance, usually a viscous substance, which has a high level of thermal conductivity. Its main task is to fill the air space between the cooled surface and the heat-removing device. Currently, there are 2 types of popular conductors: thermal paste and liquid metal.

Liquid Metal Vs Thermal Paste

Liquid Metal Vs Thermal Paste: what to choose?

Perhaps every computer user at least once heard about the miraculous properties of liquid metal. But then one interesting question arises why, with such excellent thermal conductivity, it remains unclaimed when assembling a PC and loses to thermal paste?

Let’s start with the general designation of the word thermal interface – this is a multi-component substance, usually a viscous substance, which has a high level of thermal conductivity. Its main task is to fill the air space between the cooled surface and the heat-removing device. Currently, there are 2 types of popular conductors: thermal paste and liquid metal.

What is liquid metal?

At first glance, this type of thermal interface can be confused with mercury, but it is not. Liquid metal consists of a range of metals and alloys with a high level of fluidity. Basically, the composition uses indium, zinc, tin, or gallium in various proportions. All of these metals are safe and devoid of toxic components, so in this criterion it is not inferior to standard thermal paste.

Pros and cons of using liquid metal

Pros of using liquid metal

  • The main advantage of liquid metal is its excellent thermal conductivity, which is 7-8 times higher than conventional thermal pastes.
  • Huge temperature range of use from -273 C to +1200 C.
  • Does not contain toxic elements.

cons of using liquid metal

  • Electrical conductivity when applying LM (liquid metal), you need to be extremely careful, since any contact of this thermal interface with open contacts can cause a short circuit and lead to a complete or partial malfunction of the device.
  • Incompatibility with aluminum and copper. Liquid metal reacts with these metals causing surface corrosion, which leads to a decrease in thermal conductivity and leads to a complete replacement of the cooling radiator.
  • The complexity of the application – a perfectly clean, fat-free surface is required, otherwise it will have to be pretty tricky with the application. Clean Spilled Thermal Paste.
  • Difficulty in removal is a rather complicated procedure for cleaning surfaces from the remnants of spent liquid metal.

When should liquid metal be used?

Due to the fact that ZhM reacts with aluminum and copper, it cannot be used with cheap cooling systems. And it is not advisable to take expensive copper radiators with a nickel-plated coating that is suitable for ZhM, because such a cooling system does an excellent job of cooling with ordinary thermal paste even without liquid metal.

But this does not mean that liquid metal is useless for the PC. It is great for overclockers or as a replacement for the standard thermal interface under the processor cover by scalping. It is also great for laptops. processors do not have protective covers. But you will have to take care of the presence of a nickel coating on the radiator of the cooling system and the application of an insulating coating around the perimeter of the textolite, around the processor socket, where there are bare contacts. Check out  Best Thermal Pads.

What is thermal paste?

This type of thermal interface does not need any special introduction. widely distributed and used on almost every PC.

The composition of the thermal paste includes various types of heat-conducting components in the form of micro / nano-dispersed powders and their mixtures: graphite, silver, tungsten copper, etc. As a basis (thickener), liquids with a low level of volatility of synthetic or mineral origin are used.

Main differences of thermal paste from liquid metal

  • The most important difference is, perhaps, versatility in use. thermal paste does not react with metals and can be used on any type of surface.
  • It is easier to apply, and most importantly safer, because it is not an electrical conductor, which negates the chances of a short circuit.
  • A huge assortment with hundreds of items and characteristics for every taste and budget,

How to properly apply liquid metal?

In order for the use of liquid metal to give a positive result, apply it according to the instructions:

  • Carefully remove any remaining old thermal paste with a blade.
  • Degrease the surface. To do this, you can use solvent 646 or ordinary acetone. You need to degrease both the chip or the protective cover, and the surface of the radiator. If this is not done, the liquid metal will be applied worse, and its efficiency will also suffer.
  • Drop a small drop of liquid metal into the center of the chip or cap and use a cotton applicator to evenly distribute it over the surface. At first, it may roll off, as if you are tinning a copper surface, but then it will begin to “stick”. The layer should be very thin – 0.003-0.005 mm;
  • Install the cooling, trying not to move it along the surface of the processor, that is, you need to attach a heatsink and fix it in the same position.

conclusion

Summing up, we can conclude that liquid metal, although it is a better conductor than thermal paste, has many unpleasant nuances. In fact, replacing good thermal paste with ZhM under normal conditions without scalping allows you to gain only a couple of degrees and is hardly a viable solution. But still, if you decide to change the thermal paste in the laptop or pc to liquid metal, then it is better to entrust it to the professionals to minimize the risks and eliminate the occurrence of undesirable consequences.

Hi, fellow tech enthusiasts! I’m Syed Kashif Shah, and I’m proud to be your go-to expert for all things like problems, suggestions, recommendations related to graphics cards. As a seasoned Technology Consultant and Hardware Enthusiast, I’ve spent years in the graphics card troubleshooting and repair field.