Liquid metal and my first experience of using it

When it comes to improving your computer, many users are serious about this issue. Before making a choice in favor of those or other components, you should read the advice of specialists and feedback from the owners. As the basis of the test assembly was selected processor i7 920. This device is characterized by a rapid pass through the critical temperature mark. Therefore, it was decided to use Coollaboratory Liquid Pro as a thermal interface.

The uniqueness of this material is that it can be easily used as a thermal paste. 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 it the pluses. 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 fairly democratic.

For a more clear idea of this material, we will give it a detailed description. The material used in Liquid Pro is the world's first thermally conductive compound, which consists entirely of a metal alloy (liquid in consistency). At room temperature, it is a liquid that looks like mercury. It is characterized by a lack of toxic secretions and does not pose a threat to health.

Before proceeding with the installation, the preparatory work should be carried out: wiping the processor and the base of the cooling system with cotton swabs, which have been previously soaked in a detergent. Note that they have acquired a darker shade. The test sample will be equipped with a new IFX-14 cooler. According to many, this is the best cooler for processors of this category. It is very important that its base has a ribbed appearance so that the liquid metal can perfectly penetrate into the ribs and increase the 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 has not been successful. Liquid metal constantly rolled off the processor at the time of installing the cooler. He behaves the same way as mercury. Our testers a little regretted 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 apply the interface to the fins of the radiator. Since the base of the cooler, it did not slide down and was not grouped into balls.

In the testing process, the result was obtained at a peak of about 74 degrees. Our team decided not to stop there. With the help of simple manipulations on the radiator was installed the largest cooler that could only fit. All the bolts of the cooling system were twisted with great force, so that the liquid metal fit more tightly to the processor. The temperature was within 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 certainly be interested in knowing which applications were tested. Our specialists have followed the long-tracked path: WinRar, 3dMax and so on.

With games, things are a little more complicated. Some do not show the required performance due to defects in optimization, while others do not draw the processor. All streams were loaded at 90-100%. Summarizing 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 him on a pedestal among materials that are intended to enhance heat exchange. Once again we want to draw the user's attention to the fact that such material works fine with copper coolers, but the greatest effect is achieved when applied to copper surfaces with nickel deposition.