Cool Laboratory Liquid Pro Query

dr4g0nf1y

dr4g0nf1y

dr4g0nf1y

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I decided for time being I'll just make due with my reservator and I have some of this paste that I ordered a few weeks ago.

The cpu block is made od copper and the gpu block is made of aluminium.

Shall I use this on both, just the cpu or something else entirely?

I have some paste that's included, some Zalman ZM-STG1, Akasa AK-450 and also a tiny amount of some coolermaster something or other that came with the v8
 
It's very, very important that you read the manual for liquid pro before using it. Failure to do so will destroy parts of your computer.

Don't put it anywhere near aluminium. It attacks it. If you want a laugh, hot and slightly wet aluminium will dissolve away in a foam of black bubbles before your very eyes.

To get the best results from it (and to remove it completely) you'll need to lap the surfaces involved. If the cpu block has never had conventional paste on it you're in luck, and you won't need to lap it. Same with the cpu.

If however the surface has had something like AS5 or MX-2 on it, then however much you clean it with IPA/acetone the paste will remain in the crevices in the surface, and using liquid pro will give you the same temperatures that MX-2 would have done. The lapping (followed by IPA) is to remove every trace of conventional material. Doing so can get you significantly better temperatures, but takes a while and removes the warranty on the processor. Incidentally using liquid pro without lapping it also voids warranty as it marks the surface.

Consequently not many people use it. I've spent some time playing with it, using it in my loop will have to wait until I take a milling machine to my cpu block.
 
okay, thanks.

the kit has never been used but this cpu has some of the ZM-STG1 on. Gots some Akasa TIM clean, so.....

shall I use this on just the cpu or something else entirely?
 
Solvent don't remove all of the paste. Whether its your citrus degreaser, IPA, acetone. The liquid metal relies on alloying with the copper (or nickel if the cpu isn't lapped), and this can't happen if there is some paste left behind.

So if you're not willing to lap the processor, I'd just leave it in the draw and use one of the other ones. Performance improvement won't be worth the hassle.

I personally wouldn't want to use it on a chipset or graphics card though people have done with no ill effects. Only place it's going in my system is between processor and waterblock, I just haven't found time/abandoned hope of warranty just yet.

Up to you of course. You need a fair amount of motivation to put a very fluid, electrically conductive liquid near a processor.
 
I think JohnJ have covered it quite well aka use with caution.
I also think that it's not a great TIM for watercooling due to the reduced gains from lower temps anyway. However passive watercooling has much higher temps and it MAY be worth doing.

Lot's of threads on the web about it - I'm was very temped to use it myself as my ES chip has no warrenty (and offically can't be sold), and my next upgrade would be to i5 so new block needed so nothing to lose then I found Indigo Xtreme :)

a small tube of MX-3 - less risk, minimum fuss and only a few quid.
 
shadowscotland said:
I'm was very temped to use it myself as my ES chip has no warrenty
Click to expand...

It's not too late :)

Unless you're using the indigo which I think is basically the same thing?

I reread the above, think I came across too negative. Liquid pro is inherently very exciting, and will outperform the conventional pastes if used right. I'm much looking forward to using it. Requiring lapping puts most people off, or leads to it being misused.
 
I have some liquid metal in my cupboard at home, never got round to using it and don't think I ever will.

Might stick it on MM.
 
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