Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

THERMAL PASTE / COPPER GREASE - AUTOMOTIVE?!?

by binkles Jan 2, 2005 3:45PM PST

Hi, i heard that copper grease used in the automotive industry can be used as thermal paste for cpu-hsf applications, if so does anyone khow the thermal conductivity properties in comparison to , say , "arctic silver"

Discussion is locked

1 Posts

- Collapse + Expand Details

- Collapse -

Don't try that...

by Willy Jan 2, 2005 10:18PM PST

While both maybe conductive materials they are used for different reasons. The main reason for copper based automotive grease is for "anti-seizing" properties. The silver/aluminium grease of artic silver is used to better promote heat transfer but isn't really that much in comparsion to the copper grease. If copper is used, in the amount found for automotive, it would certainly short-out any contacts, not good. If fact if too much artic silver is used that can happen also. You realize, if this was a hot itewm to have, it would already have been in the computer supply side, NOPE. So, keep it away.

good luck -----Willy