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Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK: Comparison
What is the difference between Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal and Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK?
The first real difference is electrical conductivity: Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Conductive against Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK Insulating. There is a split on viscosity as well, 6 Pa-s on the Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal versus 4 Pa-s on the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK. Recommended use is not the same on both, High-end CPU/GPU, including overclocking; also suited to Delidded-Direct-Die use... on the Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal versus Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM,... on the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK. They differ on paste segment too, Liquid Metal on the Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal versus Pad on the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK.
Which should you buy, Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal or Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK?
Take the Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal for experienced overclockers with copper or nickel-plated-copper cooler bases wanting maximum conductivity. It is equally the pick for delidded, direct-die CPU/GPU setups where liquid metal is the established choice. Avoid it for aluminum coolers or any aluminum contact surface, which liquid metal will corrode. it is not the pick for buyers wanting Phobya's higher-conductivity Thermal Pad XT line instead. It also earns its place with VRAM, VRM, and mainboard chipset cooling needing a compressible pad to bridge height differences up to 4mm. It is not the one for CPU IHS-to-cooler contact where a conventional paste offers thinner bond lines. Our rating of the Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal (7.8/10): A gallium-alloy liquid metal aimed at high-end builds, bundled with application swabs to ease the learning curve. Our rating of the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK (5.8/10): A small single-piece pad with modest conductivity, a niche fit for specific gap sizes.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
- Alphacool
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Phobya
Model
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mk
Electrical Conductivity
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
- Conductive
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Insulating
Package Size
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
- 1g syringe, includes 2 cotton application swabs and a cleaning wipe
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- 15 x 15 x 4mm, sold as a single piece; also available in other sizes up to 120x20mm strips
Recommended Use
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
- High-end CPU/GPU, including overclocking; also suited to Delidded-Direct-Die use per manufacturer application guidance
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM, and North/Southbridge cooling
Viscosity
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
- 6 Pa-s
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- 4 Pa-s
Paste Segment
- Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
- Liquid Metal
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Pad
Which one should you pick?
Choose Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Alphacool Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste | Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK |
|---|---|---|
| Alphacool Shop (EU) | View on Alphacool Shop (EU) | |
| Performance-PCs | View on Performance-PCs | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
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 Eisfrost Xtreme Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
A gallium-alloy liquid metal aimed at high-end builds, bundled with application swabs to ease the learning curve.
Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
5.8 / 10 Expert Rating
A small single-piece pad with modest conductivity, a niche fit for specific gap sizes.
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