Today’s test focuses on the Akasa T6 Pro Grade Max, a thermal compound that is not a bad product in itself, but is a good example of how a solid mid-range product can be artificially turned into a premium product through targeted pricing. The price of around 25 euros on Amazon initially suggests that you are dealing with a real high-performance paste, but on closer inspection this impression is put into perspective. The technical values are in line with what you would expect from a ceramic paste with a somewhat ambitious formula, but without reaching the realm of high-end products.
This is precisely why it is worth taking a closer look, because the Akasa T6 Pro Grade Max is by no means bad. It fulfills many requirements for a modern, electrically non-conductive thermal compound with decent thermal performance and practical processing. But it does so at a price that is simply not justified. If you could get the same syringe for around 12 euros, there would be little cause for criticism. For twice the price, however, you may well question the extent to which the current gold-rush mood in the accessories market rather than technological excellence determines the price.
This is precisely the question I am investigating in today’s test. After all, there may be a scenario in which the T6 Pro Grade Max suddenly becomes a sensible option. Just not at every price.
What you get
The Akasa T6 ProGrade Max is delivered in rectangular cardboard packaging that is visually reminiscent of typical retail products from the accessories segment. The design uses high-contrast colors with red, blue, white and gold as the primary design elements, with the product name and type designation T695 clearly visible on the syringe and packaging. The thermal conductivity of 14.8 W/mK suggests a high-performance product, although in practice these values can rarely be transferred one-to-one to the actual thermal performance. The thermal impedance value is given as less than 0.613 degree-centimeters squared per watt at a pressure of 60 PSI, which should at least provide a theoretical guide value for interfacial resistances.
In addition to the filled syringe containing four grams, the packaging also contains a white plastic spatula with a slightly beveled edge and the usual multilingual leaflet, which is limited to standard instructions for use and cleaning. The viscosity is stated as 95,000 millipascal seconds at 22 degrees Celsius. This indicates a relatively viscous consistency, which plays a role both in the application and with regard to pumping behavior and bondline thickness. The recommended operating temperature ranges from minus 50 to plus 280 degrees Celsius, which is well above the realistic operating ranges of CPU or GPU cooling solutions and is therefore more in line with the general thermal load capacity of the base material.
The enclosed manual contains application notes in a total of twelve languages, including German, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Czech and Japanese. There are a few reviews and dealer information about T6 ProGrade Max on the internet, which suggest a primarily ceramic-based formula. However, Akasa does not make a clear statement about the composition of the fillers. The print on the packaging emphasizes above all the electrical non-conductivity and non-curing, two typical characteristics of many modern pastes with a non-metallic content.
The packaging is functional and complete, but does not differ significantly from cheaper competitors in terms of accessories or depth of information. This leaves an ambivalent first impression, because even if the information on the characteristics is correct and comprehensible in principle, it does not provide any technical differentiation from similarly positioned products in the lower to medium price segment.
It is precisely for this reason that I have chosen this paste today, because it is representative of a whole segment of new, significantly improved products that are often overlooked in the shadow of the established performance elite, but which fulfill a practical purpose. The only difference is that this time the price has been exaggerated.
| Material analysis and microscopy | Basic knowledge | |
 Here you can find out why effective thermal conductivity and bulk thermal conductivity can be completely different in practice, what role the contact resistance between the surfaces and the paste plays and how thermal paste can be measured accurately. There is also a detailed description of the equipment, the methodology and the error tolerances. |
 You will learn how laser-induced plasma spectroscopy works and the advantages and limitations of the measurements. There is also high-resolution digital microscopy and analysis of particle sizes. This information is also used to estimate the long-term stability of a paste. |
 Anyone who has always wanted to know what is or is not in a paste and how these pastes are produced will find what they are looking for here. The basic article provides a better understanding of what is often sold for far too much money and sometimes with adventurous promises. |
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