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Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 vs Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK: Comparison
Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 vs Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK thermal conductivity compared
These two are close on paper, and thermal conductivity is the only measure that separates them at all: Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 9.24 W/mK against Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK 17.8 W/mK. Paste segment is not the same on both, Standard Paste on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 versus Pad on the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK.
Who each one is for
Buy the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 for 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. Take the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK for high-end CPU/GPU, VRM/MOSFET, and memory-module cooling wanting the highest independently-measured W/mK figure among this catalog's pads. It is equally the pick for builds needing a documented electrical safety spec sheet (volume resistance, dielectric breakdown) rather than a generic non-conductive claim. It is not the one for buyers who specifically want Eisschicht's softer, more paste-like conforming fit for delicate uneven surfaces. 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. Our rating of the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK (6.8/10): A soft, high-conductivity pad aimed at high-end builds, though it lacks the independent review base of the paste side of Alphacool's lineup.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 and Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK differ on max operating temperature?
Yes. Max Operating Temperature reads 200 C on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 versus 150 C on the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Akasa
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Alphacool
Model
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- AK-450-5G
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
Thermal Conductivity
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 9.24 W/mK
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 17.8 W/mK (ASTM D5470)Best
Material Class
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Silver-based thermal compound
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Silicone, ultra-soft with high compressibility
Package Size
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 5g syringe
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 120 x 20 x 1.5mm sheet
Recommended Use
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Mainstream CPU/GPU (formulated for CPU/heatsink interfaces)
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- High-end CPU/GPU
Conductivity Source
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- https://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&model=AK-450-5G
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- https://shop.alphacool.com/en/shop/thermal-conductant/thermal-pads/waem-alphacool-apex-thermal-pad-soft-18w/mk-120x20x1mm
Min Operating Temperature
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 0 C
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- -50 CBest
Max Operating Temperature
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 200 C
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 150 CBest
Paste Segment
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Standard Paste
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Pad
Operating Temperature
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 0°C to 200°C
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- -50 to +150 °CBest
Which one should you pick?
Choose Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK if you want the higher thermal conductivity (17.8 W/mK (ASTM D5470) vs 9.24 W/mK).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 | Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK |
|---|---|---|
| Akasa | View on Akasa | |
| Amazon UK | View on Amazon UK | |
| Alphacool Shop (EU) | View on Alphacool Shop (EU) |
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
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.
Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
6.8 / 10 Expert Rating
A soft, high-conductivity pad aimed at high-end builds, though it lacks the independent review base of the paste side of Alphacool's lineup.
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