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Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK: Comparison

Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK viscosity compared

Viscosity is the dividing line, Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK Manufacturer describes it as clinging closely to components similarly... against Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK 4 Pa-s. There is a split on recommended use as well, Mainstream CPU/GPU; Alphacool also markets it for VRM, VRAM,... on the Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK versus Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM,... on the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK.

Which should you buy, Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK or Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK?

it is the wrong buy for large single-surface coverage, given this sheet's compact 95x32mm footprint. It is equally the pick for VRM, VRAM, and other board-level components needing a conforming, paste-like pad rather than a stiff sheet. It is not the one for buyers wanting Alphacool's highest-conductivity Eisschicht variant, which is sold at 14 and 17 W/mK in other sizes. it is not the pick for buyers wanting Phobya's higher-conductivity Thermal Pad XT line instead. The same goes for VRAM, VRM, and mainboard chipset cooling needing a compressible pad to bridge height differences up to 4mm. Avoid it for CPU IHS-to-cooler contact where a conventional paste offers thinner bond lines. Our rating of the Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK (6.6/10): A cuttable pad that clings closely to components and resists drying out, according to Alphacool, though independent testing is limited. 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.

What Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK and Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK have in common

Everything else lines up. Pump-out resistance and paste segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Brand

    Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK
    Alphacool
    Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
    Phobya
  • Model

    Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK
    Alphacool Eisschicht 11W/mK
    Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
    Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mk
  • Package Size

    Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK
    95 x 32 x 0.5mm sheet, cuttable to size while the protective foil is left on
    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 Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK
    Mainstream CPU/GPU; Alphacool also markets it for VRM, VRAM, and other board-level components
    Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
    Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM, and North/Southbridge cooling
  • Viscosity

    Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK
    Manufacturer describes it as clinging closely to components similarly to a paste, and drying out more slowly than standard thermal pads
    Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
    4 Pa-s
  • Pump-Out Resistance

    Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK
    High
    Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
    High
  • Paste Segment

    Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK
    Pad
    Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
    Pad

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK 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

    RetailerAlphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mKPhobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
    Performance-PCsView on Performance-PCs
    NeweggView 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 Eisschicht Thermal Pad 11W/mK

    6.6 / 10 Expert Rating

    A cuttable pad that clings closely to components and resists drying out, according to Alphacool, though independent testing is limited.

    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.

    More comparisons in Thermal Paste