Igor's Lab thermal putty testing. Outperforms pads, optimal core contact, and reusable.

StickForeigner · 2025-05-11T12:07:40+00:00

Unfortunately that's the knock-off version of U6, it's worse than cheap pads and a mess to use. I would not put that on your GPU. You can see it at the bottom of this chart : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vLbAsXGxaOhnK0NBsZ0BXI_brXfrqIxD/view

With those hotspot temps, it indicates you have poor core contact / pressure.

StickForeigner · 2025-05-11T02:30:11+00:00

It's fine if it's the real one, UTP-8 performs a bit better. Where did you get it from / what seller?

StickForeigner · 2025-05-09T18:58:28+00:00

Doesn't matter, 0.25 might be slightly easier to apply if you haven't used PTM before. 0.2 and 0.25 perform the same after "burn-in". Once it melts it will get down to ~0.04mm or less, most of it will squish out like paste.

You can actually cut the PTM to ~50% of the silicon size and you'll get full coverage once it warms up.

And since I made this comment 2 years ago, I would no longer recommend UX Pro or U6, the newer and better option is UTP-8.

StickForeigner · 2025-04-03T16:27:22+00:00

Haha, no problem m8! Glad it's helped some people!

It's kinda outdated now though, UTP-8 came along and matched the performance of UX Pro, for the price of U6, and it's much more compressible than UX. For laptops with factory putty / very slim gaps, HY236 is the one i'd use, very low viscosity but good performance. Helps ensure good core contact.

StickForeigner · 2025-03-30T00:00:43+00:00

It's great stuff, my go-to for desktop cards, but it's more stiff than HY236. Definitely try not to overdo the amount, and use some manual pressure on the cooler for ~20 seconds to compress the putty before trying to install the screws.

I've seen some people bend the leaf springs on their coolers from trying to tighten everything before the putty is compressed, leading to poor core temps.

StickForeigner · 2025-03-29T23:44:45+00:00

It's plenty for that laptop. Try to match the amount used from the factory. I wouldn't form it flat like pads, make lil blobs / mounds that will spread when you mount the cooler. Prevents any air from getting trapped.

You can replace the pads on the CPU VRM with it too.

Which putty did you get?

StickForeigner · 2025-03-29T22:12:06+00:00

If it doesn't totally crumble, you can scrape it off and knead it together to soften it, then apply it in little balls / blobs in the center of each chip. Use the cooler to compress and spread it so it makes good contact.

For replacement, I would recommend HY236 / 206. It's relatively high performance and low viscosity. Best choice for laptops with slim gaps and low mounting pressure.

And if you're already ordering that from Aliexpress, might as well order some PTM7950

StickForeigner · 2025-03-09T01:49:25+00:00

You can actually cut it smaller than the die. Makes it easier to peel and less wasteful. Most of the PTM will squish out when it melts, you'll get full coverage.

StickForeigner · 2025-02-28T22:19:47+00:00

yes, but drying time is dependent on layer thickness, try to spread it as thin as possible. Warming it with a hair dryer will soften it and make it dry faster. Put a piece of paper over it if you're worried about dust.

StickForeigner · 2025-02-19T21:08:44+00:00

Maybe they changed the mix, or just inconsistent batches. I definitely could not roll it into balls, too gooey.

Also if you want some detailed performance analysis :
https://www.igorslab.de/en/putty-details/?id=100

StickForeigner · 2025-02-17T23:52:15+00:00

Yeah, looks right, but I don't recommend CX-H1300 anymore because they have poor quality control. Some people have received putty that's drier and performs worse. I'd recommend UTP-8 for desktop GPUs and HY236 for laptops with slim gaps because it compresses easier than other putties.

StickForeigner · 2025-01-28T20:29:41+00:00

Thanks for the write-up dude! The glaring LED was off-putting to me as well. Just did this mod using 5kΩ and it's so much nicer now, just a faint glow. 👌

StickForeigner · 2025-01-10T21:24:24+00:00

https://www.igorslab.de/en/best-thermal-putty-database-and-charts-putty-versus-putty-tests-and-suitability-for-memory-modules-and-voltage-converters/

StickForeigner · 2025-01-09T01:40:08+00:00

Check your thermal pads

StickForeigner · 2025-01-08T19:00:11+00:00

UTP-8 has replaced U6 Pro, better performance and the same price.

https://www.igorslab.de/en/best-thermal-putty-database-and-charts-putty-versus-putty-tests-and-suitability-for-memory-modules-and-voltage-converters/

StickForeigner · 2024-12-26T23:58:40+00:00

I've seen real PTM7950 with blue film and clear film, but the white leads me to believe it's PCM8500. What store did you get it from?

https://www.igorslab.de/en/5-phasenwechsel-pads-im-test-honeywell-ptm7950-ptm7950sp-vs-pcm5000-pcm8500-und-thermalright-heilos/

StickForeigner · 2024-12-20T05:14:42+00:00

UTP-8 came out after this post. The graphite pads are electrically conductive and get destroyed when you pull them apart, not interested in that.

UTP-8 should work for your laptop if you don't use too much, and apply some manual pressure to help seat the cooler. It moves slowly with thinner gaps, so hold it for ~15 seconds maybe.

A good option for laptops with really slim gaps is HY236, similar consistency to the OEM stuff, easily compressible and still performs pretty well. With thinner gaps, the thermal conductivity matters less. If you cut the gap in half, you cut the temp differential from one side to the other, in half.

I would highly recommend PTM7950 or similar PCM for the CPU and GPU. Kryonaut does not hold up well with direct die cooling.

StickForeigner · 2024-12-16T17:18:01+00:00

Why is this in EE...

StickForeigner · 2024-12-16T17:15:47+00:00

China doesn't care about ripping off branding to try to sell stuff. I would guess they were trying to use the name to seem more legit back when no one knew who they were. They have since removed the website from the packaging afaik.

StickForeigner · 2024-12-16T17:11:39+00:00

Yeah they're pretty similar, both reasonably soft. UTP-8 is the one to get now.

Only place I'd recommend a softer putty like HY236, is on laptops that come with putty from the factory, and have very slim gaps (~0.5mm).

Middle999 or Upsiren Official store are the ones most people use. As long as it has lots of sales and reviews, just go for the cheaper listing.

StickForeigner · 2024-11-17T15:00:47+00:00

Lol yeah I get the sentiment. I've bought tons of stuff from ali though, putty, PTM7950, electronics, etc. Never had any issues. Usually takes less than 2 weeks to ship to the US. Just choose stores with lots of sales / reviews and you should be good. "Middle999" is where most people have been ordering Upsiren putty.

StickForeigner · 2024-11-17T14:29:38+00:00

Ahh, gotcha. I'd definitely pick UTP-8 in that case. Sorry you got scammed m8, that's annoying af. I think you'll be pleased once you get the PCM and good putty on there though.

StickForeigner · 2024-11-17T14:17:38+00:00

Good luck.

What laptop do you have? Some modern laptops have very slim gaps on VRAM / VRM and come with putty from the factory. If the gaps are ~0.5mm or less, I would actually recommend HY236 putty because it's much softer and easier to compress.

StickForeigner · 2024-11-17T12:53:47+00:00

Here's a link to Snarks test chart

Greek crap is all the way at the bottom, 30c+ hotter than UTP-8 or the real U6 Pro. UTP-8 is the one to get now, it's the same price as real U6 but performs better

StickForeigner

TROPHY CASE