heat sink compound
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 479
Likes: 12
From: Louisiana
Well .... dielectric grease will electrically insulate the component from the firewall and won't transfer the heat.
I found this interesting
: Easy alternative of thermal paste - [Solved] - CPUs
I found this interesting
: Easy alternative of thermal paste - [Solved] - CPUsTrending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
The purpose of heatsink compound is to fill in the spaces (air) between the component and the heatsink itself, that act as an insulator. It's not there to "transfer" anything. You'll sometimes see people glob on a thick layer of compound, this actually increases the temperature of the component, because they don't know how it works, or what it's for. Dielectric grease is an excellent heatsink compound.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Thermal paste is called thermal paste for the hell of it.
You use it on a heat sensitive electronic component that is mounted on a large finned metal heat SINK just because... oh never mind.
Use dielectric grease in applications calling for thermal paste if you like replacing heat sensitive electronics often though some get away with it.
You use it on a heat sensitive electronic component that is mounted on a large finned metal heat SINK just because... oh never mind.
Use dielectric grease in applications calling for thermal paste if you like replacing heat sensitive electronics often though some get away with it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Testing shows there is essentially NO difference between Permatex Dielectric Tuneup Grease and Heat Sink Compound, Thermal Paste, call it what you want. This is at 30 watts dissipation. Note a thick layer of heat sink compound actually increases thermal resistance. Everybody does this for some reason. Just a thin skim is all that's required.
Source: http://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Don't know who's testing that is but the corp I used work for it was a firing offense to use the wrong compound on a quarter mil machine.
The engineers were pretty strident about it.
Sniff whatever you want that makes you happy.
There's people round here that think ATF will fix anything , torque wrenches are for pussies, and all hydraulic fluid is the same.
The engineers were pretty strident about it.
Sniff whatever you want that makes you happy.
There's people round here that think ATF will fix anything , torque wrenches are for pussies, and all hydraulic fluid is the same.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 414
Likes: 42
From: State of Confusion
Am I reading that table wrong? What the heck were they testing that was only getting into the low 60°F range on its worst test, but needed thermal paste and a heat sink?
For anyone curious about substitutes for thermal grease, check out this thread. This guy tested everything from dielectric grease to American cheese.
For anyone curious about substitutes for thermal grease, check out this thread. This guy tested everything from dielectric grease to American cheese.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
If you read the different forums on this subject it can get about as bad as the oil threads. Half the people don't understand how it works or what it's really for. They hear "Thermal Paste", so it stands to reason if a little bit is good, a whole lot is mucho better, right?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Look, you can keep a tube of Di G in the night stand to replace your KY if that's what floats your boat.
Where the MFG recommendation is "thermal paste", I'll use thermal paste.
You (or anybody else) can use what they want.
Where the MFG recommendation is "thermal paste", I'll use thermal paste.
You (or anybody else) can use what they want.