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Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK vs Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro: Comparison
Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK vs Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro viscosity compared
The first real difference is viscosity: Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK 0 Pa-s against Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro Grey pad with outstanding compressibility, the highest of Thermal....
Which should you buy, Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK or Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro?
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. The same goes for builds needing a documented electrical safety spec sheet (volume resistance, dielectric breakdown) rather than a generic non-conductive claim. It is the wrong buy for buyers who specifically want Eisschicht's softer, more paste-like conforming fit for delicate uneven surfaces. Buy the Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro for high-end GPU memory and VRM repads with uneven component heights and repads where the original pad thickness is uncertain, though it is not the pick for buyers who need a published W/mK, hardness or temperature rating. Avoid it for budget SSD or chipset pads, where Minus Pad 8 is enough. 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. Our rating of the Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro (6.5/10): Thermal Grizzly's top pad in the Basic, Advance and Pro series, with conductivity it rates very close to Minus Pad Extreme and the most compressible formula of the three, a strong pick for uneven GPU memory gaps.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, compound type, electrical conductivity and paste segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Alphacool
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- Thermal Grizzly
Compound Type
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Silicone-Based Pad
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- Silicone-Based Pad
Model
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
Electrical Conductivity
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Insulating
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- Insulating
Package Size
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 120 x 20 x 1.5mm sheet
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- 100x100mm or 120x20mm sheets, 0.5/1.0/1.5/2.0/3.0mm thick
Recommended Use
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- High-end CPU/GPU
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- High-end CPU/GPU (SSDs, GPU coolers and water blocks, voltage regulators and memory modules)
Viscosity
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 0 Pa-s
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- Grey pad with outstanding compressibility, the highest of Thermal Grizzly's Basic, Advance and Pro series
Paste Segment
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Pad
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
- Pad
Which one should you pick?
Choose Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK | Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Alphacool Shop (EU) | View on Alphacool Shop (EU) | |
| Thermal Grizzly | View on Thermal Grizzly |
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
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.
Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Pro
6.5 / 10 Expert Rating
Thermal Grizzly's top pad in the Basic, Advance and Pro series, with conductivity it rates very close to Minus Pad Extreme and the most compressible formula of the three, a strong pick for uneven GPU memory gaps.
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