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Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 vs Zalman ZM-STC10: Comparison
What is the difference between Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 and Zalman ZM-STC10?
The gap that matters here is thermal conductivity: Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 9.24 W/mK against Zalman ZM-STC10 11.5 W/mK, which puts Zalman ZM-STC10 20% ahead. Material class is not the same on both, Silver-based thermal compound on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 versus Polydimethylsiloxane base with Zinc Oxide and Aluminum Oxide fillers on the Zalman ZM-STC10. They differ on conductivity source too, https://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&model=AK-450-5G on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 versus https://www.zalman.com/EN/Product/ProductDetail.do?productSeq=1495 on the Zalman ZM-STC10. On min operating temperature there is little in it, 0 C on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 versus -40 C on the Zalman ZM-STC10. The operating temperature figures are near enough to ignore, 0°C to 200°C on the Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 versus -40°C to 200°C on the Zalman ZM-STC10.
Which should you buy, Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 or Zalman ZM-STC10?
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 the wrong buy for sub-zero or chiller cooling, since Akasa rates it from 0C and buyers who need published electrical safety data. Buy the Zalman ZM-STC10 for mainstream CPU/GPU cooling and users upgrading from Zalman's entry ZM-STG series, though it is not built for delidded direct-die extreme overclocking and liquid-metal-tier performance needs. 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 Zalman ZM-STC10 (6.1/10): A reasonable mid-tier Zalman compound with a solid published conductivity figure.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, max operating temperature and paste segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Akasa
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Zalman
Model
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- AK-450-5G
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- ZM-STC10
Thermal Conductivity
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 9.24 W/mK-20%
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- 11.5 W/mKBest
Material Class
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Silver-based thermal compound
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) base with Zinc Oxide and Aluminum Oxide fillers
Package Size
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 5g syringe
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- 2g syringe (110 x 23 x 14mm)
Recommended Use
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Mainstream CPU/GPU (formulated for CPU/heatsink interfaces)
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Mainstream 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
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- https://www.zalman.com/EN/Product/ProductDetail.do?productSeq=1495
Min Operating Temperature
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 0 C
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- -40 CBest
Max Operating Temperature
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 200 C
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- 200 C
Paste Segment
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- Standard Paste
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Standard Paste
Operating Temperature
- Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450
- 0°C to 200°C
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- -40°C to 200°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 Zalman ZM-STC10 if you want the higher thermal conductivity (11.5 W/mK vs 9.24 W/mK).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Akasa AK-450 Silver Compound 450 | Zalman ZM-STC10 |
|---|---|---|
| Akasa | View on Akasa | |
| Amazon UK | View on Amazon UK | |
| Aquatuning | View on Aquatuning |
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.
Zalman ZM-STC10
6.1 / 10 Expert Rating
A reasonable mid-tier Zalman compound with a solid published conductivity figure.