When it comes to improving their computer, many users take this issue seriously. Before making a choice in favor of those or other components, you should read the advice of experts and reviews of the owners. The i7 920 processor was chosen as the basis for the test assembly. This device is characterized by a quick pass through the critical mark of the temperature regime. Therefore, it was decided to use Coollaboratory Liquid Pro as the thermal interface.
The uniqueness of such a material is that it can easily be used as thermal grease. Liquid metal has an increased efficiency and, by filling all voids, reduces the temperature to 10 degrees, unlike analogues from other materials. Its resistance to drying and unlimited
shelf life only add to its advantages. Liquid metal is an alloy of potassium and sodium, which is used to increase the level of heat transfer. Despite its promising characteristics, the manufacturer’s pricing policy is quite democratic.
For a clearer picture of this material, we give it a detailed description. The material used in Liquid Pro is the first heat-conducting compound in the world that consists entirely of a metal alloy (liquid in consistency). At room temperature, it is a liquid that looks like mercury. It is characterized by the absence of toxic secretions and does not pose a threat to health.
Starting the direct installation, you should do the preparatory work: wiping the processor and the base of the cooling system with cotton swabs that have previously been soaked in detergent. Note that they have acquired a dark shade. The test sample will be equipped with the new IFX-14 cooler. According to many, this is the best cooler for processors in this category. It is very important that its base has a ribbed appearance so that the liquid metal can perfectly penetrate the ribs and increase heat transfer. The manufacturer of the thermal interface notes that applying it to aluminum surfaces is highly discouraged.
The first attempt to install
a cooling system was unsuccessful. Liquid metal constantly rolled off the processor at the time of installation of the cooler. It behaves the same as mercury. Our testers regretted a bit that the Liquid Ultra interface was not used. It has the same properties, but has a paste consistency and is very easy to apply. It was decided to put the interface on the fins of the radiator. From the base of the cooler, it did not roll and did not group into balls.
During testing, a result was obtained at a peak of about 74 degrees. Our team decided not to stop there. With the help of simple manipulations, the largest cooler was installed on the radiator, which could only fit. All bolts of the cooling system were tightened with great effort so that the molten metal fit more tightly to the processor. The temperature was in the range of 54-55 degrees when the system was fully loaded.
What is the test without overclocking the processor? The temperature rose to 80 degrees, but still the system worked steadily and stably. The reader will probably be interested to know which applications were tested. Our experts have gone a long way: WinRar, 3dMax and so on.
With games, things are a little more complicated. Some do not show the desired performance due to flaws in optimization, while others do not pull the processor. All threads were 90-100% loaded. Summing up the above, we can conclude: liquid metal, as a material that increases heat transfer, copes quite well with its tasks. The efficiency of the action put it on a pedestal among materials that are designed to enhance heat transfer. Once again, we want to draw the attention of users to the fact that such a material works well with copper coolers, but the greatest effect is achieved when applied to copper surfaces coated with nickel.