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Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK vs Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad: Comparison
Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK vs Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad thermal conductivity compared
There is no decisive spec gap here. Thermal conductivity splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK 17.8 W/mK against Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad 12.8 W/mK. Material class is not the same on both, Silicone, ultra-soft with high compressibility on the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK versus Silicone-Based Pad on the Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad. They differ on recommended use too, High-end CPU/GPU on the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK versus Laptop-Thin-GPU, Mainstream CPU/GPU on the Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad. There is a split on conductivity source as well, https://shop.alphacool.com/en/shop/thermal-conductant/thermal-pads/waem-alphacool-apex-thermal-pad-soft-18w/mk-120x20x1mm on the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK versus https://www.thermalright.com/product/odyssey-thermal-pad-2-mm/ on the Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad.
Which should you buy, Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK or Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad?
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 also earns its place with builds needing a documented electrical safety spec sheet (volume resistance, dielectric breakdown) rather than a generic non-conductive claim. Avoid it for buyers who specifically want Eisschicht's softer, more paste-like conforming fit for delicate uneven surfaces. Buy the Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad for laptop thin-GPU cooling and VRM and small-gap thermal pad replacement, though it is not the pick for direct-die or high-pressure CPU/GPU IHS contact needing a paste-thin bondline. 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 Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad (6.7/10): A pre-sized variant of Thermalright's Odyssey pad line for common GPU and laptop dimensions.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: electrical conductivity and paste segment are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Thermal Conductivity
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 17.8 W/mK (ASTM D5470)Best
- Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
- 12.8 W/mK
Electrical Conductivity
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Insulating
- Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
- Insulating
Material Class
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Silicone, ultra-soft with high compressibility
- Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
- Silicone-Based Pad
Package Size
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 120 x 20 x 1.5mm sheet
- Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
- 85 x 45 x 1.5mm pad
Recommended Use
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- High-end CPU/GPU
- Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
- Laptop-Thin-GPU, Mainstream CPU/GPU
Conductivity Source
- 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
- Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
- https://www.thermalright.com/product/odyssey-thermal-pad-2-mm/
Paste Segment
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Pad
- Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
- Pad
Which one should you pick?
Choose Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK if you want the higher thermal conductivity (17.8 W/mK (ASTM D5470) vs 12.8 W/mK).
Choose Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK | Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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.
Thermalright Extreme Odyssey 85x45mm Pad
6.7 / 10 Expert Rating
A pre-sized variant of Thermalright's Odyssey pad line for common GPU and laptop dimensions.
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