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3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H vs Thermalright TF7: Comparison
What is the difference between 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface and Thermalright TF7?
There is no decisive spec gap here. Thermal conductivity splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface 2.08 W/mK against Thermalright TF7 12.8 W/mK. There is a split on recommended use as well, Battery cooling, power electronics and HMI displays on the 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface versus Mainstream CPU/GPU on the Thermalright TF7. There is a split on conductivity source as well, 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.thermalright.com/product/tf7-2g/ on the Thermalright TF7. Paste segment is not the same on both, Pad on the 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface versus Standard Paste on the Thermalright TF7.
Who each one is for
The 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface is the one to take for silicone-sensitive assemblies near optics, displays or connectors and power electronics and battery gap filling, though it is not built for high-end GPU memory or VRM cooling. It is not the one for builds where silicone pads are acceptable and higher conductivity is wanted. The Thermalright TF7 suits budget-conscious enthusiasts and mainstream gaming builds, though it is not the pick for extreme overclocking and delidded direct-die use. 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 Thermalright TF7 (6.3/10): A budget enthusiast paste from Thermalright, decent value though older than the brand's newer TF9/TFX releases.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Electrical conductivity read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- 3M
- Thermalright TF7
- Thermalright
Model
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- 5590H
- Thermalright TF7
- TF7
Thermal Conductivity
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- 2.08 W/mK (ASTM D5470)
- Thermalright TF7
- 12.8 W/mKBest
Electrical Conductivity
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- Insulating
- Thermalright TF7
- Insulating
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
- Thermalright TF7
- 2g and 8g syringe
Recommended Use
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- Battery cooling, power electronics and HMI displays (general electronics gap filling)
- Thermalright TF7
- Mainstream CPU/GPU
Safety Notes
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- Non-conductive acrylic pad; no special handling precautions required
- Thermalright TF7
- Electrically non-conductive, non-corrosive per manufacturer
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
- Thermalright TF7
- https://www.thermalright.com/product/tf7-2g/
Paste Segment
- 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H
- Pad
- Thermalright TF7
- 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 Thermalright TF7 if you want the higher thermal conductivity (12.8 W/mK vs 2.08 W/mK (ASTM D5470)).
Price comparison
| Retailer | 3M Thermally Conductive Acrylic Interface Pad 5590H | Thermalright TF7 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newark | View on Newark | |
| Thermalright (Manufacturer) | View on Thermalright (Manufacturer) |
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.
Thermalright TF7
6.3 / 10 Expert Rating
A budget enthusiast paste from Thermalright, decent value though older than the brand's newer TF9/TFX releases.