Any significant difference between silicone & silver thermal conductor paste ?

[Serban-Alexe]

I want to change the cooler on my notebook, and while I'm at it, also clean-up & replace the thermal conducting paste.

Is there any difference between silicone paste & silver paste ?

Any one of those that I should use instead of the other ?

Thank you.

[erico]

It depends on what you specifically mean by silicon paste.

I only know silicon paste as a lubricant for automotive applications.   

Silicon grease is a thermal interface material for PC processor cooling applications.

It can be manufactured with silver in it to increase thermal transfer.

My own preferences have been Arctic Silver and Ceramique2 thermal paste. Both are designed, manufactured and sold by Arctic Silver.com.

I recommend not taking the risk of using Liquid Metal.

It is conductive and if improperly applied can and will fry your processor! 

I  use 99% Isopropyl alcohol and Kimtech wipes for cleaning the cooler and processor lid surfaces.

[Serban-Alexe]

Sorry for the n00b question, but just to be sure: those 2 that you prefer are not "liquid metal" ? So they're safe ?

[erico · Accepted solution]

The two that I mentioned are non-conductive, so even if you put a bit too much your laptop and processor are safe.