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Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK vs Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad: Comparison
Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK vs Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) thermal conductivity compared
These two are close on paper, and thermal conductivity is the only measure that separates them at all: Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK 17.8 W/mK against Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) 3.0 W/mK. There is a split on viscosity as well, 0 Pa-s on the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK versus Hypersoft silicone elastomer sheet on the Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette). They differ on recommended use too, High-end CPU/GPU on the Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK versus Mainstream CPU/GPU and general electronics gap filling on the Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette). Conductivity source is not the same on both, 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://wakefieldthermal.com/wakefield-thermal-hypersoft-therm-pad-101-6mm-pl-1-3-1016-h/ on the Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette).
Which should you buy, Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK or Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette)?
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. It is not the one for buyers who specifically want Eisschicht's softer, more paste-like conforming fit for delicate uneven surfaces. Buy the Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) for general electronics gap filling and mainstream CPU/GPU, though it is not the pick for high-power dies needing >5 W/mK. 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 Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) (5.9/10): A basic industrial silicone pad, functional for OEM gap-filling rather than enthusiast performance builds.
What Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK and Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) have in common
Everything else lines up. Compound type, electrical conductivity and paste segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Alphacool
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette)
Compound Type
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Silicone-Based Pad
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- Silicone-Based Pad
Model
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- PL-1-3-1016-H
Thermal Conductivity
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 17.8 W/mK (ASTM D5470)Best
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- 3.0 W/mK
Electrical Conductivity
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Insulating
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- Insulating
Package Size
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 120 x 20 x 1.5mm sheet
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- 101.6 x 101.6 x 1mm sheet
Recommended Use
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- High-end CPU/GPU
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- Mainstream CPU/GPU and general electronics gap filling
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
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- https://wakefieldthermal.com/wakefield-thermal-hypersoft-therm-pad-101-6mm-pl-1-3-1016-h/
Viscosity
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- 0 Pa-s
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
- Hypersoft silicone elastomer sheet
Paste Segment
- Alphacool Apex Thermal Pad Soft 18W/mK
- Pad
- Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal 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 3.0 W/mK).
Choose Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal 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 | Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad |
|---|---|---|
| Alphacool Shop (EU) | View on Alphacool Shop (EU) | |
| Wakefield Thermal | View on Wakefield Thermal |
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.
Wakefield Thermal (Wakefield-Vette) Wakefield Solutions PL-1-3-1016-H Thermal Pad
5.9 / 10 Expert Rating
A basic industrial silicone pad, functional for OEM gap-filling rather than enthusiast performance builds.
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