Have you used liquid metal thermal interface media?

[Noel 4,561]

I just learned about this and wondered why I haven't heard about it from many private performance system builders.  I know they're electroconductive but that doesn't seem like a show stopper if you're super careful.  They are miles ahead, it would appear, to any of the thermal 'pastes' we use or at least that I have used over the decades.

[martin-w 3,252]

Hi Noel.

 

I've used liquid metal quite a bit but exclusively for CPU's I've de-lidded. Never on CPU heat sinks, although I know some do.

The thing to be careful with, re heat sinks, is what it's made from. If the heatsink is aluminum is can be corrosive so only use on copper heatsinks. 

I have heard some people claim it can leak out from a vertical mounted heatsinks so should only be used when lying flat. I've not experienced that first hand though so I can't vouch for the veracity.

 

 

Edited May 3 by martin-w