can yo use any thermal compound for both laptop and desktop?

[itami]

wondering if there thermal compound design for laptops only or if you can use any thermal compound for both desktop or laptop

 

[Vexillarius]

You can use any thermal compound for both desktops and laptops.
Generally the die size is smaller in laptops though so you won't need to use as much paste as with a desktop.

 

[volcanoscout]

It depends on what your heatsink contact surface is made of, i.e. aluminum, copper, etc. Some pastes react to different metals. Also, some pastes work better with higher heatsink mounting pressures like you might get with an aftermarket desktop CPU cooler, others work better with lighter mounting pressures you get with laptop coolers.

Having said all that, most pastes will work fine on both.