Difference between regular thermal paste and silver thermal paste?

[jgustin7b]

So I found a cheap thing of thermal paste for $5, but companies are advertising silver thermal paste for some more money. What’s so special?

 

[JalYt_Justin]

Thermal pastes can use different materials which help transfer heat a little better than super cheap thermal compound. Some of the more expensive ones might last a little longer too.

It doesn't make more than a few degrees difference, so unless it's horrendously bad there's not much a reason if you're super super tight on cash.

 

[SoggyTissue]

read the packaging

normally a more expensive paste will contain metals to help conduct the heat better than a simple/cheaper paste.

there maybe a thermal chart associated with the paste youre looking at. have a good read

 

[jgustin7b]

Thanks, I think I got enough for 3 drops looking at the tube (and I know that I only need a pea sized drop of it every time I put the cpu and/or it’s cooler in.

 

[R_1]

the most expensive paste is just barely better than the worst. Toms did a round-up of 85 pastes and the differences between the best and worst was at max 8 degrees. improper application can vary the temps by that much
if you are an overclocker who needs ever last drop of performance the expense may be justified, for the rest of us any will do. even denture cream or toothpaste in a pinch.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-comparison,5108.html

 

[Barty1884]

Generally, the difference between X & Y thermal paste is a couple of degrees max - but that's based on "mainstream" stuff.

Generic, poor paste can be horrible performance-wise (relatively - that might be 5+ degrees swing), and can be conductive (so if you spill any or it oozes out of the side of the chip, you could short your motherboard or damage the socket).

As for the price; what quantity are you purchasing?

For example, good quality AS5 is only $5.95
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Vs something generic like this at $1.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6J35R11973

Sure, the generic stuff is much cheaper.... and likely to perform within a couple of degrees, but it's also only ~30% of the quantity (1g vs 3.5g)

 

[jankerson]

Depending on were you are getting it the good thermal paste is around $5.

You can get the best stuff out there like $6.

Noctua NT-H1.

 

[jgustin7b]

I’m not an overclocker, plus I kind of have an overkill cpu cooler, so I’ll stick with what I have. Thanks anyways guys.