Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Arctic Silver 5 vs Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad: Comparison
Arctic Silver 5 vs Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird: the compound type difference
Compound type is the dividing line, Arctic Silver 5 Metal-Based against Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Silicone-Based Pad. There is a split on recommended use as well, Mainstream CPU/GPU, High-end CPU/GPU on the Arctic Silver 5 versus Laptop-Thin-GPU, Mainstream CPU/GPU, M.2 SSD cooling on the Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird. There is a split on reapplication interval as well, Periodic reapplication recommended due to curing/drying behavior on the Arctic Silver 5 versus No reapplication needed; reusable silicone elastomer gap filler on the Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird. Paste segment is not the same on both, Standard Paste on the Arctic Silver 5 versus Pad on the Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird.
Which should you buy, Arctic Silver 5 or Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird?
The Arctic Silver 5 is the one to take for builders specifically seeking out Arctic Silver's historic formula, though it is not built for anyone who wants immediate full performance right after application. It is equally the pick for enthusiasts comfortable with a multi-day burn-in period who want a well-documented legacy compound. It is the wrong buy for builders unfamiliar with the curing requirement who might misjudge initial results. The Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird suits M.2 SSD heatsink contact and laptop GPU/VRAM cooling, though it is not the pick for high-power desktop CPU/GPU dies needing >3 W/mK. Our rating of the Arctic Silver 5 (5.9/10): A long-running metal-based paste known for a lengthy 200-hour cure period; once a category leader, now showing its age against newer non-curing formulas. Our rating of the Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird (6.2/10): an industrial-grade gap filler pad from an established materials brand, cuttable to size for M.2 and laptop use.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: electrical conductivity are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Arctic Silver 5
- Arctic Silver
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- Laird
Compound Type
- Arctic Silver 5
- Metal-Based
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- Silicone-Based Pad
Model
- Arctic Silver 5
- Arctic Silver 5
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- Tflex HR600
Electrical Conductivity
- Arctic Silver 5
- Insulating
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- Insulating
Package Size
- Arctic Silver 5
- 3.5g syringe (also 12g)
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- 229 x 229mm sheet, 0.5mm-3.0mm thickness options; also sold pre-cut for M.2 SSD/laptop use
Recommended Use
- Arctic Silver 5
- Mainstream CPU/GPU, High-end CPU/GPU
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- Laptop-Thin-GPU, Mainstream CPU/GPU, M.2 SSD cooling
Reapplication Interval
- Arctic Silver 5
- Periodic reapplication recommended due to curing/drying behavior
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- No reapplication needed; reusable silicone elastomer gap filler
Safety Notes
- Arctic Silver 5
- Requires ~200-hour burn-in period to reach rated performance
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- Non-conductive silicone elastomer; no special handling precautions required
Paste Segment
- Arctic Silver 5
- Standard Paste
- Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
- Pad
Which one should you pick?
Choose Arctic Silver 5 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Arctic Silver 5 | Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad |
|---|---|---|
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Laird / Laird Performance Materials | View on Laird / Laird Performance Materials | |
| Farnell | View on Farnell |
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
Arctic Silver 5
5.9 / 10 Expert Rating
A long-running metal-based paste known for a lengthy 200-hour cure period; once a category leader, now showing its age against newer non-curing formulas.
Laird (Laird Performance Materials) Laird Tflex HR600 Series Thermal Gap Filler Pad
6.2 / 10 Expert Rating
An industrial-grade gap filler pad from an established materials brand, cuttable to size for M.2 and laptop use.