Quality Thermal Grease

DreadPirate · 6th June 2010, 11:12 AM

I've been using the generic RS silicon thermal grease, but can't help thinking the pros use some magical, name brand stuff? Is there a widely accepted high quality thermal grease out there I should know about?

Conrad Hoffman · 6th June 2010, 05:19 PM

IMO, they're very similar. Dow 340, RS and the Thermalloy grease I've used perform similarly. What's vastly more important is having flat surfaces that mate with near zero clearance. You want the heat transferring through as thin a layer of grease as possible. The best insulators I've used are heavy anodized aluminum but they can be a bit risky. Thin mica is next, followed by ceramics. Then there are the various thermally conductive pads, with the data carefully presented to prevent a realistic comparison between the different types, much less anything else. For non-critical things I prefer the less messy pads. If I need every degree, grease is the way.

CH

star882 · 6th June 2010, 05:55 PM

Arctic Silver is considered the best, but it really doesn't offer much improvement over regular compound.

6th June 2010, 11:12 AM	#1
DreadPirate diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Virginia, USA	Quality Thermal Grease I've been using the generic RS silicon thermal grease, but can't help thinking the pros use some magical, name brand stuff? Is there a widely accepted high quality thermal grease out there I should know about?

6th June 2010, 05:19 PM	#2
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	IMO, they're very similar. Dow 340, RS and the Thermalloy grease I've used perform similarly. What's vastly more important is having flat surfaces that mate with near zero clearance. You want the heat transferring through as thin a layer of grease as possible. The best insulators I've used are heavy anodized aluminum but they can be a bit risky. Thin mica is next, followed by ceramics. Then there are the various thermally conductive pads, with the data carefully presented to prevent a realistic comparison between the different types, much less anything else. For non-critical things I prefer the less messy pads. If I need every degree, grease is the way. CH __________________ I used to be an audiophool like you but then I took an arrow to the knee.

6th June 2010, 05:55 PM	#3
star882 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Arctic Silver is considered the best, but it really doesn't offer much improvement over regular compound. __________________ "Fully on MOSFET = closed switch, Fully off MOSFET = open switch, Half on MOSFET = poor imitation of Tiffany Yep." - also applies to IGBTs!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Where to get CLEAR thermal grease?	j beede	Parts	10	20th January 2008 02:12 AM
silicon grease vs. arctic silver thermal compound	DreadPirate	Solid State	3	26th October 2007 01:26 AM
Silpads AND thermal grease	chipco3434	Parts	3	14th December 2005 04:16 PM
Thermal Grease / heat sink insulators	jteef	Solid State	10	5th December 2001 01:57 PM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read