Lighting Thermal pads vs grease

[Tanglefoot]

Im just at the stage now of applying my vero 18's to the heatsink & am wondering if anyone has a consensus on which method of application is best - thermal pads or grease ?

Using a rice sized blob of grease (I have Arctic MX-4) in the middle of the cob is not ideal for me as I tested one & then took it off a few times - I could see this method did not cover the entire area of the cob. With a cpu this method usually works well as you can apply a good amount of pressure but as the cobs I have only have two screws holding them down then this is not so much the case.

Im thinking possibly pads might be better - has anyone used pads with success so after a few months of constant use the cobs are still good ?

Thanks

 

[BigSm0]

I spread the grease and it always comes off the heatsink even. Just a blob in the middle then some pressure isn't enough to spread it evenly.

@pop22 has done some research on the pads and I'm sure the grease was in favor. His messages converted me as I always like the cleanliness of the pads but now only use the mysterious white stuff.

 

[pop22]

the thermal paste is is just superior at the job at hand. Also, there is concern of the carbon fiber and graphite based thermal pads reacting with the COB's base material.

In low power applications pads will work fine but thermal paste give superior heat transfer across the board

 

[pop22]

Also, it should be applied very thin, you should be able to see thru the layer of paste. The job of the paste is to fill the pores in the mating surfaces and help even the mating surface.I wipe the surface with a razor blade to spread the paste in a very thin layer. Learned this from overclocking pcs for years lol.

 

[NugNoob]

Also, it should be applied very thin, you should be able to see thru the layer of paste. The job of the paste is to fill the pores in the mating surfaces and help even the mating surface.I wipe the surface with a razor blade to spread the paste in a very thin layer. Learned this from overclocking pcs for years lol.

Yeah this, same sort of experience level (my job in IT) with CPU cooling, thermal paste needs to basically be as thin as you can make it. In fact the thicker the layer the "less of a good job" it can transfer the heat from one surface to the other.

 

[BigSm0]

the thermal paste is is just superior at the job at hand. Also, there is concern of the carbon fiber and graphite based thermal pads reacting with the COB's base material.

In low power applications pads will work fine but thermal paste give superior heat transfer across the board

Always around when we need you.

 

[pop22]

lol! Anytime Big Sm0!

Always around when we need you.

 

[Tanglefoot]

Thanks. Probably opening a can of worms here but spreading the paste will create air pockets, no ? How long have you been running your cobs after using the razor blade spreading method?

I've replaced a few cpu's & after much research & trial & error found that spreading the paste didn't work as well as a blob, but then of course with the cpu your able to clamp it down nice and hard, not the case with cobs.

 

[BigSm0]

I haven't had an issue with the paste. I actually spent my whole weekend spreading paste lol. 75 mounted cobs, I run everyone for atleast an hour and take temp measurements before unplugging them too. There is a max of 4 degree temp differential that I have seen so far.

 

[Tanglefoot]

Thanks, however would be good to know how the spreading method fares over a long period of say a few months constant use vs the pads ? There could well be certain spots on the cobs that are getting much hotter due to air pockets & then possible failure ensues...