White components with RGB lighting are all the rage at the moment. And be quiet! is getting in on the act with the Light Loop 360mm White, promising not only a stylish look but also first-class cooling performance. But does this all-in-one water cooling system deliver what it promises? I put it to the test to see whether it has more than just a [...]
Today I’m testing the Shin Etsu MicroSi X-23-7921-5 , the MicroSi X-23-7783D and the MicroSi G7762. Once again, my thanks go to the community for the kind procurement. All three pastes are actually not that bad, but they show the typical problem when the manufacturer tries to generate great values. That’s why I’m using the whole [...]
The sample of a new type of boron nitride thermal interface paste that I tested today did not come into my hands in the normal way. Rather, it was once again “leaked” to me in confidence by a long-time reader who, as he indicated in his message, works in the research department of one of the leading international manufacturers of [...]
With the Liquid Freezer III Pro, Arctic is launching a revised version of the popular Liquid Freezer III. In this test, we find out how the PRO version performs and what has changed. The series is intended to offer optimized premium fans and naturally retains unique selling points such as the mainboard VRM fan, the integrated cable management and [...]
Sometimes you really wonder whether the marketing departments of this world are holding a secret competition: who can make the most audacious claim without their product evaporating from the shelf in shame? In this case, the MJ-12 thermal compound would be a serious contender for the gold medal. “Reduce wear and tear with 12.4 W/m*K” [...]
There are countless products in the field of cooling components, but only a few manage to offer a perfect balance of performance, design and price. The Endorfy Fortis 5 Black ARGB fan aims to do just that. We’ll see if it succeeds. In this review, I take a close look at the fan and discuss all the relevant aspects – from performance to [...]
On February 25, 2025, DeepCool launches the new FL12 series of 120 mm case fans. These fans combine high cooling performance with bright RGB lighting. The FL12 (WH) and FL12R (WH) models are equipped with 36 ARGB Gen2 LEDs that surround the frame and create a uniform illumination. A 3-phase, 4-pole, 6-slot motor ensures stable and efficient [...]
It is a personal concern of mine to always find the best and cheapest products for you. That’s why I regularly carry out tests, especially when I receive more and more feedback from users who are suddenly dissatisfied with the quality of a product. Unfortunately, in this context I have to withdraw the purchase award for the Thermalright TF8 [...]
Thermal interface pads (also known as thermal interface materials or TIM) are widely used solutions for transferring heat between uneven or different height components in electronic devices. Their use offers both advantages and potential disadvantages, depending on the choice of material, the quality of workmanship and the specific conditions of [...]
Testing the prototype of the Thermal Grizzly Duronaut, which I had internally dubbed “Paste X” at the time, hopefully marked the beginning of the end of an era that could almost be described as paste procurement crime. In the past, it was a real adventure to find good and durable thermal pastes – especially if you were looking [...]
After testing over 100 different thermally conductive pastes, of which almost 80 are already available in my online database, I was able to gather extensive experience that calls into question some common assumptions in this area. Of particular interest was the analysis of contradictions between my generalized measurement data, the frequently [...]
Here’s a little teaser for next week, as I have to work on other topics at the same time as all the graphics cards. And that’s where it gets exciting! In my current, detailed investigations into the laboratory analysis of processors, graphics processors and associated heatspreaders, I have been able to gain interesting insights that [...]
The Alpenföhn Blitzeis thermal compound is advertised by the manufacturer with a supposedly extreme thermal conductivity of 15.2 W/m-K. This impressive figure is of course intended to suggest that it is the ideal choice for anyone looking for maximum performance. However, as is so often the case, there is once again a wide gap between claim and [...]
Sourcing really good thermal pastes is a real challenge at the moment. The DOWSIL TC-5888 and TC-5550 are prime examples of the frustration that modern supply chains or manufacturers’ unwillingness to supply can cause. Although these highly specialized thermal pastes are indispensable for demanding applications, their availability is like [...]
At just over 7 euros for 3 grams, the Asus ROG RG-07 Performance Thermal Paste is within the range of what other mid-range pastes cost, but the kit for around 19 euros with spatula and film glue has already taken off completely. All that’s missing is RGB and an ROG friendship bracelet… But let’s leave this nonsense aside and [...]
What is Thermal Putty and what is it useful for? Thermal putty is a thermal interface material that has been specially developed to efficiently fill gaps between heat-generating components and heat sinks. Unlike thermal paste or pads, it is a viscoelastic mass that remains flexible and can adapt to irregular surfaces. It is particularly suitable [...]
The AAirhut GX-14 was more of a chance find, as I’m always on the lookout for affordable and good pastes away from the usual suspects. I paid 8.75 euros for the 8 grams on Amazon 4 weeks ago, but the price then immediately went up to just under 11 euros. In the meantime, the 8 grams have supposedly become only 2 grams, the article [...]
DeepCool has further developed its high-end tower cooler with the new ASSASSIN IV VC VISION model and presents a solution that sets new standards in terms of both technology and design. The ASSASSIN IV VC VISION features innovative vapor-chamber technology at the base of the heat sink, which enables efficient heat dissipation. This technology [...]
With the Maxtor CTG10, I am testing a really good paste today, which unfortunately once again reflects the current shortage of good and affordable pastes. It has barely been tested when it is no longer available. The Savio Glacier TG-04 is virtually identical and has also been on the rise in terms of price since I tested it. However, it is always [...]
The pump-out effect is a well-known and annoying problem when using thermal compounds on CPUs, GPUs and other electronic components subject to high thermal loads. It describes the displacement of the thermal paste from the contact area between the processor and heat sink, for example, typically as a result of temperature cycles or mechanical loads [...]
