Pastes: Prolimatech
Prolimatech PK-1
If we were judging based on price, we certainly wouldn't call this an entry-level thermal compound. But how does it perform? Nano aluminum sounds pretty compelling, but the benchmark results are what matter to us. The PK-1 paste performs well enough, but doesn't blow us out of chairs. Really, it's the price that kills it. There are better alternatives out there, even if Prolimatech's entry-level solution is generally quite user-friendly.
| Prolimatech PK-1 | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 10.2 W/(m*K) |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 32.8 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 36.3 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37.3 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 67.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 3 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 8 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | This paste seems best suited for the "lentil ball" method, and should be used in average-temperature rooms, from 70 °F |
| Price (approximate) | $9 (5 grams) |
Prolimatech PK-2
Yes, Prolimatech offers more than one thermal paste. The PK-2 compound in the green box sports better performance than PK-1. While it doesn't appear among the front runners, this paste is still in the upper mid-range.
| Prolimatech PK-2 | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 10,2 W/(m*K) |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 32,5 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 36,1 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37,1 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 66,0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 3 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 8 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | The paste can be spread more easily if you warm it to 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot of water, sealed in a water-tight pouch. |
| Price (approximate) | $9 (5 grams) |
Prolimatech PK-3
Prolimatech’s highest-end paste is more expensive than its other two models. Perhaps that yellow packaging is intended to suggest gold? This is a good thermal compound, but it's not the best one out there. It's also thick like the GC-Extreme, a product that the PK-3 can approach, but not quite reach. Warm this paste up before using it.
| Prolimatech PK-3 | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 11.2 W/(m*K) |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 31.9 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 35.6 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 36.9 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 65.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 6 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 4 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | The paste can be spread more easily if you warm it to 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot of water, sealed in a water-tight pouch. |
| Price (approximate) | $10 (5 grams) |