Explore the benefits of liquid metal for heat dissipation in your PC and find out how it can improve your system’s performance. Thanks to its superior thermal conductivity, it allows you to maintain lower temperatures and optimize the operation of your components.
Proper heat dissipation from your computer’s processor is crucial to maintaining optimal performance and avoiding temperature issues. To achieve this, various methods are used, such as the use of fans, heatsinks, and thermal paste.
However, in recent months, the use of liquid metal as a method of dissipating heat from computers has gained popularity. One of the most recent debates centers on the use of liquid metal instead of the traditional thermal paste.
Although the use of liquid metal has grown in popularity, it is crucial to make a thorough evaluation of its benefits and consider whether it is truly the ideal choice. One of its main advantages is its greater heat conduction capacity compared to conventional thermal paste.
Liquid metal is typically made of metal alloys, which can provide more effective heat transfer and thus more efficient dissipation.
This feature can be highly beneficial if you want to keep the computer’s temperatures lower and make the most of the processor’s performance.
What is liquid metal?
Liquid metal is being an alternative for many companies, such as Sony, which uses it in the PlayStation 5 for proper cooling.
By comparison, conventional thermal paste uses silicone-based polymers and fillers to improve thermal conductivity. However, liquid metal is noted for its greater ability to efficiently transfer heat due to its metallic nature.
It has been confirmed that liquid metal compounds can achieve impressive thermal conductivity of up to 73 W/(mK), compared to typical values of 2 to 8 W/(mK) for conventional thermal paste. This difference in thermal conductivity is due to the intrinsic properties of metals.
Liquid metal is made up of metal alloys such as gallium, indium, and tin, which are highly conductive materials and have low thermal resistance.
These features enable efficient heat transfer from the processor chip to the heat sink, helping to maintain cooler temperatures and optimize system performance.
Although liquid metal offers significant benefits in terms of thermal conductivity, it is important to note that its use requires additional precautions due to its electrical conductivity.
Measures must be taken to prevent short circuits or damage to electronic components in the event of leakage. Also, liquid metal may require more careful and precise application compared to conventional thermal paste.
Thermal paste or Liquid Metal?
If you are looking for an advanced solution for heat dissipation in your computer, liquid metal may be an option to consider. Its higher thermal conductivity can offer more efficient dissipation and help maintain lower temperatures.
However, before opting for liquid metal, it is crucial that you do your research thoroughly and understand the potential risks associated with its use.
It is important to note that your application requires additional precautions due to its electrical conductivity, which implies a higher risk of short circuits or damage to electronic components in the event of leakage.
Conventional thermal paste also offers adequate performance in most cases and is a safer and cheaper option. Before making a final decision, consider your heat dissipation needs, the level of risk you are willing to take, and the budget available.
