Thermal pads, is there really any difference?

[MaddMutt]

Tossing in my 0.02 cents on this
I replaced the stock EK pads on my 3 R9 290X's with the Fuji 11 W/mk pads and used the supplied TIM on the IC's the pads covered. I received a 6c - 8c drop in temps on my video card When I use a back plate on my card, I use the 17 W/mk pad (IIRC the size is 40x40 or 60x60 - limited trimming needed if any) over the GPU CORE and the 11 W/mk pads at the other locations. This dropped my TOTAL temps by 10c - 12c. Some will say it's not worth it, while others will say that any improvement is a higher overclock.

GELID GC-Extreme was rated 4th OVER ALL by HWbot in a test last year against 44 other types of TIM. The only TIMs that bet it where 3 different types of Liquid Metal. They said that even though the LM was superior, it was a B to apply and even worst to clean off.

MM

 

[Ozz1]

well doesnt the temp drop speak for itself ?

i always check the tims, you never know no matter what is said when you buy it is what youre gunna get, so many times its as hard as a rock, both tim and thermal pads or thermal tape as i call it, i buy a square of it and cut me own to suit , ive never had any dramas with it, so i reckon yours is as good is