Modern computer technology, which has several types of components that generate heat during its operation, needs high-quality and efficient cooling. Regardless of how this equipment is used, its stable operation is the most important task. Therefore, in personal computers, laptops and mobile devices use various types of cooling. These mainly include coolers, water systems and radiator grilles, plates, etc.
To ensure maximum cooling efficiency, a special substance, thermal grease, is applied to the power element that generates a large amount of heat. It allows you to increase the heat transfer rate between the heated part and the cooling device.
Today, computer equipment, as well as components for it, are developing at a tremendous speed. Manufacturers offer consumers increasingly sophisticated products. This is also true for thermal paste. One of the most popular options is the Zalman ZM-STG2, an overview of which can be found in this article.
Thermal grease from Zalman
Thermal grease ZM-STG 2 is the most modern in the assortment of this manufacturer and can be supplied both complete with cooling systems and separately from accessories. The substance is contained in a syringe, the volume of which is 3.5 grams. This amount is quite enough for several months of care for computer components. The color of the thermal grease is gray, which is typical for Zalman products.
The main parameter for the coolant is thermal conductivity, which is responsible for the transfer of heat from a warmer to a less heated surface. This process will work until the same temperature is established on the heat-generating element and the cooling system.
Thermal conductivity and thermal resistance measurement
Thermal conductivity is measured in W / (meter * Kelvin). The unit indicates the amount of heat that passes through the material per hour, the thickness of which is 1 meter, and the area is 1 square meter. meter. The temperature difference between the two surfaces should not exceed 1 K.
Another no less important parameter that affects the thermal conductivity of thermal paste is the thermal resistance of the substance. It interferes with heat transfer between surfaces, and should also be taken into account when calculating efficiency. For each thermal paste model, the packaging indicates the value of the thermal interface, which is a combination of the two parameters described above.
ZM-STG 2 Thermal Interface Specifications
The new thermal grease from Zalman received high thermal conductivity, which exceeds the characteristics of the previous ZM-STG 1 model by 3.5 times. Due to this, the temperature of components of a personal computer during operation will be much more efficient to decrease, which, in turn, will positively affect the operation of the entire system.
The thermal conductivity of Zalman ZM STG2 thermal paste is 4.1 W / (m * K). This is a fairly high indicator that competes with all modern counterparts. The thermal resistance of the ZM-STG2 is 0.080 K * cm² / W. Thanks to such indicators, this thermal grease is excellent for cooling both the central processor of a personal computer and a video card with a high level of performance.
ZM-STG 2 Features
A feature of the Zalman ZM-STG2 Thermal Grease is its wide temperature range, in which it retains its heat-conducting properties. Normal operation is possible from 45 degrees Celsius to +150.
The positive physical properties of thermal paste include its rather thick consistency, due to which the product does not spread when applied to the surface. In addition, these properties help to avoid accidentally getting the mixture on other important parts of the computer. It is worth noting that to remove the components on which the Zalman ZM-STG 2 was applied, you need to make little effort.
The disadvantages of thermal paste Zalman ZM STG2 include a rather complicated procedure of extrusion from a syringe. This will be especially familiar to those who have previously encountered mixtures of the MX-2 or MX-4 model. Due to the strong rolling of the thermal paste at one point, applying it on the entire surface with a uniform layer is quite difficult. But, as mentioned earlier, such properties help to avoid getting it on other elements of the system, which could lead to malfunctions in the PC.
Thermal Paste Testing Methodology
Despite the fact that thermal grease is by no means the most important element in a computer, testing it with real tests is not an easy task. It is especially difficult to compare two competing models, since the differences between them are not as noticeable as when testing other components. Equally important in conducting tests of the thermal interface is its correct application to the power element, as well as uniform distribution over the entire surface.
To check whether the Zalman ZM STG2 meets the specifications stated by the manufacturer, the most hot iron is used for the test bench. For these purposes, the processor from the Intel-Core i7 920 is well suited , which heats up to sufficiently high temperatures with overclocking. Air coolers were chosen as the main cooling, since most owners have them. Water cooling, of course, is more effective, but it is used much less frequently, and tests with it are carried out in separate reviews.
Proper thermal paste application
An equally important aspect when replacing thermal paste is its correct application to the surface. An insufficient amount of substance can lead to an increase in the heating of components. In the same way, a too thick layer acts on the operation of the PC, which, despite its heat-conducting properties, can interfere with normal heat transfer between the processor and cooling. To avoid the above problems, it is enough to adhere to the rules for applying thermal paste and make sure that the layer is simultaneously thin, but at the same time applied evenly over the entire surface of the heating element.
It is also worth considering that the results of synthetic testing of the thermal interface in the laboratory may differ from the actual indicators that the user will encounter. This difference occurs for the following reasons:
- different components used in the tests;
- climatic features of the room;
- different amounts of thermal paste used in testing.
At the same time, even those tests that may differ from the customer’s result allow us to get a general picture of the new Zalman ZM STG2 cooling mixture, the reviews about which are quite versatile.
Test results
Making a review on Zalman ZM STG2, users used various thermal greases from well-known manufacturers for testing and comparison. The following models proved to be the most highly effective:
- Arctic Cooling MX-2;
- Arctic Cooling MX-4;
- Prolimatech PK-1;
- Thermalright Chill Factor III;
- Zalman ZM-STG2.
All of the above coolants do a good job and are suitable for use in high-performance computers. And for those who do not have the need for top-end thermal paste solutions, ineffective, but cheap solutions such as Akasa AK and Thermaltake TG-2 are well suited.
Output
Zalman ZM STG2, the characteristics of which were discussed above, turned out to be quite effective and at the same time not the most expensive. Compared with the top model of the competing MX-4 brand, whose thermal conductivity is 8 W / m * K according to the manufacturer, Zalman ZM-STG2 reduces the temperature a little better, despite the passport data, which indicate only 4 W / m * K.
The best buy for the owner of a powerful PC is undoubtedly the thermal grease Zalman ZM STG2, reviews of which also confirm high efficiency and reliability. Particularly relevant is the choice of thermal interface for laptop owners who do not have the physical ability to improve the cooling system of their device. Having chosen ZM STG2, the owner of the device can be calm for the performance and durability of his computer equipment.