Can thermal pads be stacked? If yes, the method depends on the specific guidelines and requirements.
Can thermal pads be stacked? If yes, the method depends on the specific guidelines and requirements.
Hi,
I’m planning to swap out thermal pads from different GPUs and laptops. As you know, the thickness of these pads differs between devices. I checked online forums but didn’t find clear advice. Some recommend stacking them, while others suggest using a small amount of thermal paste between layers. My goal was to purchase just one 0.5mm sheet and stack it, since buying separate sheets in those sizes would be too costly. What are your thoughts on this?
Yes, it's important to note one key point: pads and paste are actually insulators, though they perform poorly at blocking heat transfer. They allow some heat to pass through but not completely. The thicker the material, the less heat can move through it. Their purpose is to fill in gaps.
You might find it useful to check out some of Steve's GPU tear-down reviews and cooling mods on GamersNexus' YouTube channel. He mentioned it's preferable to use one pad with suitable thickness. I believe he's emphasizing that each change in material along the cooling path adds a small resistance to heat transfer. However, he also noted that having multiple stacked pads isn't overly problematic because it prevents a very thin pad from becoming poorly compressed after installation and tightening. In any case, I don't think applying more thermal paste would be beneficial if the gap is sealed with properly compressed pads.
Purchasing higher thermal conductivity pads combined with stacking offers a more significant overall advantage. I've found Gelid GC-Extreme suitable for slightly oversized thicknesses due to its flexibility, allowing it to adapt to minor dimensional changes. It's not possible to reduce it to just 1mm without compromising its shape (ask me how). A micrometer would be beneficial if you intend to measure in sub-millimeter precision. Vernier calipers can be useful, but many are known for inaccuracies and may shift by several millimeters during use.