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Arctic Silver 5 vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK: Comparison
Arctic Silver 5 vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK pump-out resistance compared
Pump-out resistance is the dividing line, Arctic Silver 5 Medium against Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK High. Recommended use is not the same on both, Mainstream CPU/GPU, High-end CPU/GPU on the Arctic Silver 5 versus Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM,... on the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK. Paste segment is not the same on both, Standard Paste on the Arctic Silver 5 versus Pad on the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK.
Arctic Silver 5 vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK: which one fits your build
The Arctic Silver 5 is the one to take for builders specifically seeking out Arctic Silver's historic formula, though it is the wrong buy 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 not the one for builders unfamiliar with the curing requirement who might misjudge initial results. 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 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 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 Arctic Silver 5 and Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, electrical conductivity included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Arctic Silver 5
- Arctic Silver
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Phobya
Model
- Arctic Silver 5
- Arctic Silver 5
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mk
Electrical Conductivity
- Arctic Silver 5
- Insulating
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Insulating
Package Size
- Arctic Silver 5
- 3.5g syringe (also 12g)
- 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
- Arctic Silver 5
- Mainstream CPU/GPU, High-end CPU/GPU
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM, and North/Southbridge cooling
Pump-Out Resistance
- Arctic Silver 5
- Medium
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- High
Paste Segment
- Arctic Silver 5
- Standard Paste
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- 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 Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Arctic Silver 5 | Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK |
|---|---|---|
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Performance-PCs | View on Performance-PCs |
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.
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.