Roundup: Thermalright TF4, TF7, TF8, TF9 and TFX Review – Thermal compound from flowing screed to bunker concrete

Thermalright TF4

In my opinion, the TF4 is a rather weak paste, even if the bulk thermal conductivity is reasonably good. In picture 3 we can see that even after 20 cycles up to 120 °C, the paste is still lubricious and only slightly dry, and despite the 20 cycles it still feels better than many other miracle pastes. The performance is lower midfield, but the marketing and price are not as extreme as many pastes that advertise with fairy dust and UFO granules. Nevertheless, I would prefer to use the TF7 instead of the TF4 if you want something really cheap from Thermalright. Simply because it makes a more solid impression and is already in the good mid-range for only a tiny surcharge.

Thermalright TF7

This inexpensive paste performs better than the thin TF4 and will probably last longer. Yes, it is not as fluffy as the TF4 and the user will certainly have to make a little more effort when applying it, but will be rewarded with significantly better performance and consistency over a longer period of time. Visually, the paste is more reminiscent of the Corsair XTM70, but is not quite as powerful. However, it is significantly cheaper and completely adequate. There is nothing more to write about it, because apart from the outdated plastic bag, there is nothing to criticize about the paste. Ok, the claim of a sporty 12.8 W/(m-K) is also a bit of a fairy tale, but the paste won’t fail because of this marketing lie. Category: Can definitely be done.

Thermalright TF8

In terms of thermal properties, the Thermalright TF8 is currently one of the best I’ve been able to test and it’s right on the 5W/(m-K) limit I mentioned, where it (almost) matches the DOWSIL TC-5888 and the DOWSIL TC-5550. With a silicone-based paste, you can actually only get higher if you make it even more viscous than it already is. But then nobody will be able to process it. Yes, I admit I was surprised at how well this paste delivers.

For the price, it really is a recommendation, although I must warn inexperienced users when it comes to getting really thin layers. This paste requires real skills, so that it falls far behind the very good pastes from Dow Chemical in terms of application. The newer TC-5550 is expected to be available in Germany from the beginning of October at the latest through a new brand, so you will have to decide what you are ultimately confident about and what you want to pay. But be that as it may, this paste is really worth a try.

Thermalright TF9

The source and T-Global also apply here, but this paste is already too viscous for most users and applications. The additional performance compared to the TF8 is manageable, but the degree of difficulty is far too high. I can only warn against this paste in normal everyday PC use, even if this statement is likely to bother a few people. If you know what you’re getting into, you can do it, but the poor grinding quality of the aluminum oxide particles alone puts me off completely. For the average consumer, a purchase warning can already be issued here, as failure is almost always pre-programmed.

Thermalright TFX

How do you make concrete even harder? The TFX is the hardest answer and a paste that we can only advise against if you are not looking for a high-performance putty in the 200 to 500 µm range. But I wouldn’t do that either due to the huge particles, because the TFX is actually an almost perfect grinding paste. These monster particles, well over 10 µm in places, actually damaged the surface of the test specimens because I had to work with very high pressures. I can now have these test pieces polished and calibrated again. Well, it’s my own fault.

Conclusion

If you look at the entire portfolio, I would recommend the TF7, which can still be processed normally in the mid-range segment, and if you want something even better performing and more durable, then go for the TF8. The TF4, on the other hand, is a liquid soup that bleeds out and is pumped out faster than you would like. Together with the very viscous fillers in the form of TF9 and TFX, these are the three pastes that I would definitely not buy if I wanted something from Thermalright. And that’s it for now.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my request for more pastes, pads and putties, because the selection and stock can never be large enough. However, please discuss these things in advance via PN to avoid duplicates!