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3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H vs Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450: Comparison
3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface vs Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450: the thermal conductivity difference
Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is thermal conductivity, 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface 2.08 W/mK against Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 9.24 W/mK. Recommended use is not the same on both, Battery cooling, power electronics and HMI displays on the 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface versus Mainstream CPU/GPU on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450. Conductivity source is not the same on both, https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/920112O/3m-thermally-conductive-acrylic-interface-pad-5590h-technical-data-sheet.pdf on the 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface versus https://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&model=AK-450-5G on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450. There is a split on paste segment as well, Pad on the 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface versus Standard Paste on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450.
Which should you buy, 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface or Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450?
Buy the 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface for silicone-sensitive assemblies near optics, displays or connectors and power electronics and battery gap filling, though it is the wrong buy for high-end GPU memory or VRM cooling. It is the wrong buy for builds where silicone pads are acceptable and higher conductivity is wanted. The Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 suits mainstream CPU repastes under air or AIO coolers and Akasa AK-455 owners wanting a higher-rated Akasa compound, though it is not the pick for sub-zero or chiller cooling, since Akasa rates it from 0C and buyers who need published electrical safety data. Our rating of the 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface (6.6/10): an industrial acrylic interface pad from an established materials manufacturer, aimed at OEM and repair use rather than enthusiast builds. Our rating of the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 (6/10): A silver-based compound with a solid published conductivity figure and a bundled spreader, reasonable for the price.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- 3M
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Akasa
Model
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- 5590H
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- AK-450-5G
Thermal Conductivity
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- 2.08 W/mK (ASTM D5470)
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 9.24 W/mKBest
Package Size
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- Sheets and die-cut shapes, 0.5/1.0/1.2/1.5/2.0mm thick
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 5g syringe
Recommended Use
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- Battery cooling, power electronics and HMI displays (general electronics gap filling)
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Mainstream CPU/GPU (formulated for CPU/heatsink interfaces)
Conductivity Source
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/920112O/3m-thermally-conductive-acrylic-interface-pad-5590h-technical-data-sheet.pdf
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- https://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&model=AK-450-5G
Paste Segment
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- Pad
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Standard Paste
Which one should you pick?
Choose 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 if you want the higher thermal conductivity (9.24 W/mK vs 2.08 W/mK (ASTM D5470)).
Price comparison
| Retailer | 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H | Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newark | View on Newark | |
| Akasa | View on Akasa | |
| Amazon UK | View on Amazon UK |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
6.6 / 10 Expert Rating
An industrial acrylic interface pad from an established materials manufacturer, aimed at OEM and repair use rather than enthusiast builds.
Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A silver-based compound with a solid published conductivity figure and a bundled spreader, reasonable for the price.