Fairytale lesson with nanotubes in thermal pastes: EC360 Ruby, Nuomi SYY-157 and Thermalright TF4 Review – Stupid lies vs. modesty

Jaden Technologies EC360 Ruby

Although this paste wins today’s three-way test by a small margin, it is also coupled with the bigger marketing lie. It is a normal, not particularly highly filled aluminum oxide-zinc oxide paste (picture 1), which is very easy to compress (picture 2). The information about the CNTs is simply wrong, as is the information about the bulk thermal conductivity. We can also speculate about the long-term durability because there is simply far too much silicone for too little filling (Asus graphics card system). In the third picture below, we can also see the breakage after only 20 cycles between 10 and 120 °C, because I went to this effort this time. I don’t want to know what it would look like after 3000 cycles. I’d rather not, the stuff is already starting to get hard.

If you compare the technical data of the bottlers and resellers, as well as the user experiences and tests, it will probably all come down to a relabelled Halnziye HY-P13 or something similar, which you can get in China for a very small price. Designed in Germany? Rarely have I laughed so hard. But well, this statement also fits perfectly into the picture.

Nuomi SYY-157

Although the paste was nominally even higher than the EC360 Ruby at 15.7 W/m-K, it is actually worse. Both in the measurements and the cooling simulations. There is no trace of carbon, it seems they simply drank too much rice schnapps in China, but that doesn’t make things any better. The paste is slightly more filled and also slightly more viscous than the floating Ruby (Fig. 1), but it can still be pressed easily (Fig. 2). The tear-off is similarly dry once you have completed a few cycles. The paste would only be reliable if you could smear it again with your finger. However, this was only partially possible as the paste had already dried out (silicone outgassed).

Thermalright TF4

The TF is slightly more filled than the EC360 Ruby (picture 1) and slightly less than the SYY-157. Picture 3 shows that even after 20 cycles up to 120 °C, the paste is still lubricious and only slightly dried, and despite the 20 cycles it still feels better than the other two miracle pastes. The performance is lower midfield, but the marketing has not been as extreme as with the other two pastes. Nevertheless, I would prefer to use the TF7 instead of the TF4 if it is to be something from Thermalright. Simply because it makes a more solid impression and is already in the good mid-range for only a tiny surcharge.

Summary andmisleading advertising

The claim that the EC360 Ruby and the Nuomi SYY-157 contain CNT, i.e. carbon nanotubes or carbon particles, is terrible and inexcusable, because both suppliers know very well that this claim is completely false and does not correspond to the facts. Normally, the aim of advertising is to present products or services in as positive a light as possible in order to convince potential customers. However, as in these two cases, the point must not be reached at which consumers or other market participants are deceived.

This form of misleading advertising is a central concept in unfair competition law, which is regulated in the Unfair Competition Act (UWG). The UWG determines which actions are permitted in economic competition and which are not. A key principle of this law is the prohibition of misleading advertising. This prohibition ensures that entrepreneurs do not deceive their potential customers in order to persuade them to make a business decision that they would not have made under other circumstances, such as the purchase of a heat-conducting paste.

This is because misleading advertising always occurs when a commercial act contains untrue or deceptive statements, such as the wrong ingredients that are not included or incorrect thermal conductivity. This information relates to facts that are generally verifiable, even by a review such as mine. So if a business claims false facts in its advertising or expresses itself in such a way that consumers could be misled as a result, it is acting misleadingly. Period. It would certainly be helpful to get one of the consumer associations on board here.

Conclusion

It would certainly have been better if there had been no reason to write today’s article in this form. But both the EC360 Ruby and the Nuomi SYY-157 are advertised with features that are far removed from reality. The cheating with the nicely calculated thermal conductivities for all three pastes is another matter, but this can also be quickly refuted. However, the fact that the paste OEMs adapt the measurement setups to arrive at these values does not make the whole thing any better for the customer. However, I want to actively counter this disinformation and therefore measure exactly the same way as the big global players do. Because their values are correct, and so are mine.

The EC360 Ruby is a mediocre paste that does what you can expect of it, at least for a limited period of time. However, it is not inexpensive, there are better and probably more durable pastes, because this paste is not highly filled, but floats with oil. SYY-157 is a similar sham that performs even worse and is significantly more expensive than the other pastes. This paste is an arrogant dazzler that pretends more than it can deliver in everyday use. So this is a clear no-buy recommendation for both pastes.

The TF4 is not a failure, but I would not buy it. As always, if you buy too cheap, you buy twice. It’s better to buy the TF7 or another competitor’s product for a very small surcharge. The 4 grams for 3 euros without shipping costs (Prime) are tempting, but not a particularly good investment. That’s all I need for today. Around 10 more pastes, then it will be enough as a first basis for the database.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you once again of 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!