When it comes to laptop cooling solutions, the debate between liquid metal and thermal paste has been ongoing for years. These materials are applied between the laptop's CPU or GPU and the heatsink to ensure optimal heat transfer. While both serve the same purpose, they differ significantly in terms of performance, application, longevity, and risk. Understanding the key differences can help you make an informed decision on which option is better for your laptop's cooling needs.

In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both liquid metal and thermal paste, compare their thermal performance, and provide insights into when you should choose one over the other.

What is Thermal Paste?

Thermal paste, also known as thermal compound or thermal grease, is a highly conductive substance applied between the CPU or GPU and the heatsink. Its primary function is to fill microscopic gaps between the two surfaces, allowing for better heat transfer. Without thermal paste, air pockets would form between the CPU and the heatsink, resulting in poor thermal conductivity and increased temperatures.

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Thermal paste comes in different varieties, including ceramic-based, silicone-based, and metal-based compounds. The majority of laptops come with pre-applied thermal paste from the manufacturer, and it’s the most common solution for CPU cooling.

Types of Thermal Paste

1. Ceramic-based: This is the most common type, affordable, and non-conductive, which means it doesn’t pose a risk of short-circuiting components. However, it doesn’t offer the best thermal conductivity.
2. Metal-based: Containing fine metal particles such as silver or aluminum, this type offers better thermal conductivity but can be electrically conductive, posing a risk of shorting out components if applied carelessly.
3. Silicone-based: Often used in low-cost applications, silicone-based pastes are easier to apply and clean up but tend to have lower thermal performance compared to other options.

Most users opt for ceramic-based or metal-based thermal paste when upgrading their cooling solution.

How Thermal Paste Works

Thermal paste acts as an intermediary between the CPU and the heatsink. Even if the two surfaces seem flat, at a microscopic level, they have imperfections that create air gaps. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so the thermal paste fills in these gaps to ensure efficient heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink, which then dissipates the heat through fans or passive cooling mechanisms.

Thermal paste has been the standard for decades, mainly because of its ease of use and relatively low cost.

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What is Liquid Metal?

Liquid metal is a conductive alloy primarily composed of gallium and indium. Unlike thermal paste, liquid metal remains in a liquid state at room temperature, offering superior thermal conductivity compared to traditional compounds. Liquid metal is known for its ability to transfer heat more efficiently, making it an attractive option for high-performance laptops and desktops.

Liquid metal’s primary advantage over thermal paste is its exceptional conductivity, which can result in significantly lower CPU temperatures. However, its application and usage come with unique risks and challenges.

How Liquid Metal Works

Like thermal paste, liquid metal is applied between the CPU and the heatsink. Its liquid form allows it to spread easily, ensuring even coverage across the entire surface. Liquid metal's high thermal conductivity allows it to transfer heat much more effectively than traditional thermal pastes, which can lead to substantial cooling improvements.

However, liquid metal has one significant drawback—it is electrically conductive. If applied incorrectly, it can cause a short circuit, damaging or destroying your laptop's components. Therefore, extreme caution is required during application. Many liquid metal enthusiasts take extra precautions, such as applying electrical tape or conformal coating to protect sensitive areas around the CPU or GPU.

Performance Comparison: Liquid Metal vs. Thermal Paste

Thermal Conductivity

The most significant difference between liquid metal and thermal paste is their thermal conductivity.

• Liquid metal can have thermal conductivities ranging between 40-80 W/mK, depending on the specific brand or formulation. This is significantly higher than any thermal paste, making liquid metal the superior option for transferring heat.
• Thermal paste, on the other hand, typically ranges from 5-10 W/mK, with high-performance metal-based pastes going up to 12-15 W/mK. While good thermal paste still offers reasonable performance, it cannot match the thermal conductivity of liquid metal.

For power users who push their systems to the limit with resource-heavy tasks like gaming, video rendering, or 3D modeling, liquid metal offers superior cooling performance and can lower CPU temperatures by 5-15 degrees Celsius compared to thermal paste.

Longevity

Thermal paste generally lasts longer than liquid metal. High-quality thermal paste can perform effectively for 3 to 5 years before it dries out and loses its effectiveness. Once thermal paste dries, it becomes less effective at transferring heat and needs to be replaced.

Liquid metal, while highly effective at the start, can degrade faster over time, particularly in environments with air exposure. Gallium in liquid metal can also react with aluminum, causing corrosion. Thus, liquid metal requires more frequent maintenance and monitoring. It can remain effective for 1-2 years, after which it may need to be reapplied to ensure optimal performance.

Ease of Application

Thermal paste is far easier to apply than liquid metal, making it the preferred choice for most users. Applying thermal paste involves placing a pea-sized drop in the center of the CPU and allowing the heatsink’s pressure to spread it evenly. Many thermal paste products come with an easy-to-apply nozzle or applicator.

Liquid metal, by contrast, is much trickier to apply. Since it’s liquid and electrically conductive, you need to be very careful not to spill or spread it on components outside the CPU die. Users must ensure that surrounding components are insulated, as liquid metal can cause shorts if it contacts other parts of the motherboard. Applying liquid metal requires precise application tools, such as a small brush or syringe, and more experience or skill to avoid potential hazards.

Electrical Conductivity

The fact that liquid metal is electrically conductive is its biggest disadvantage compared to thermal paste. Even a small spill can create shorts in your laptop’s internal components, resulting in irreparable damage. This makes liquid metal unsuitable for users who are not experienced with computer maintenance or hardware upgrades.

On the other hand, thermal paste is generally non-conductive (ceramic and silicone types), meaning it’s much safer to use in confined spaces like laptops. Even metal-based thermal pastes with a small amount of conductivity are less likely to cause short circuits than liquid metal.

Compatibility

One crucial issue with liquid metal is its incompatibility with aluminum components. Gallium in liquid metal can react with aluminum, causing corrosion over time. If your laptop’s heatsink is made of aluminum, using liquid metal is not recommended. Most modern high-performance laptops use copper heatsinks, which are safe to use with liquid metal. However, checking your laptop’s specifications before applying liquid metal is essential.

Thermal paste, on the other hand, is compatible with all types of materials, whether they be aluminum or copper. This makes it a more versatile option for users who are uncertain about their laptop’s heatsink material.

When Should You Choose Liquid Metal?

Liquid metal is best suited for high-performance laptops or those used for resource-intensive tasks. If you’re a gamer, content creator, or engineer running demanding applications, you’ll benefit most from the superior cooling properties of liquid metal. Lower temperatures allow your CPU to perform at its peak without thermal throttling, ensuring smoother performance during extended workloads.

It’s also worth considering liquid metal if you’re dealing with severe thermal issues in your laptop, such as overheating during normal tasks or constant throttling, and you’ve already tried improving airflow or cleaning the fans.

However, keep in mind that applying liquid metal requires expertise. If you’re unfamiliar with working on laptop internals, or if your laptop has an aluminum heatsink, liquid metal may not be the best choice.

Pros of Liquid Metal

• Superior thermal conductivity resulting in lower CPU temperatures.
• This can lead to improved laptop performance under load.
• Ideal for enthusiasts and high-performance laptops.

Cons of Liquid Metal

• Electrically conductive, posing a risk of short circuits.
• More difficult to apply correctly than thermal paste.
• Can corrode aluminum heatsinks.
• Requires frequent maintenance compared to the thermal paste.

When Should You Choose Thermal Paste?

For most laptop users, thermal paste is the better choice. It’s easier to apply, safer, and more cost-effective. If your laptop runs well with normal workloads but you’re experiencing slight overheating during intensive tasks, upgrading to a high-performance thermal paste may provide the cooling improvement you need without the risks associated with liquid metal.

Thermal paste is also ideal if you’re upgrading or maintaining your laptop as part of routine maintenance. If your laptop is a few years old and you’ve never changed the thermal paste, replacing the old compound with a fresh layer can help lower temperatures and improve overall performance.

Pros of Thermal Paste

• Easy to apply and widely available.
• Non-conductive, reducing the risk of short circuits.
• Compatible with both aluminum and copper heatsinks.
• Longer-lasting and requires less frequent maintenance.

Cons of Thermal Paste

• Lower thermal conductivity compared to liquid metal.
• May not offer enough cooling for extreme tasks or high-performance laptops.

Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?

Both liquid metal and thermal paste have their strengths and weaknesses. If you’re looking for the ultimate cooling performance and are willing to take the extra precautions, liquid metal is the way to go. However, for most laptop users, thermal paste offers a good balance between safety, ease of use, and performance.

Before making your decision, it’s essential to assess your laptop's cooling needs, your level of experience with hardware maintenance, and your willingness to take on the risks associated with liquid metal. If you’re unsure, starting with a high-quality thermal paste is a safe bet, offering decent cooling improvements without the complexity of liquid metal.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your specific requirements, and for the vast majority of users, the thermal paste will be more than sufficient for keeping temperatures under control.