Arctic Silver Arctic Alumina 5g Thermal Adhesive Set AATA-5G

Pros: Very similar (close enough) performance to more expensive AS, Silver Epoxy and far better than frag tape. Permanent Bond. Fast Setting (but a little TOO fast). Tiny bit goes a LONG way if you prep the mating surfaces (lap them flat if needed then clean with alcohol & let dry), and the resulting paper-thin layer of epoxy is lower thermal impedance.

Cons: Short shelf life (once opened?)about 1 year, longer if kept in freezer in air-tight bag. Sets almost too quick, you need to mix several tiny batches to do a whole video card or other large items so it's still fluid & workable when (last) part per batch is mounted. That is, unless you work very fast but I advise against that since it is permanent (I do not recommend diluting it so you can get the part off later, unless you can mechanically mount the part in addition to the epoxy bond).

Overall Review: Been using this for years, make my own custom sinks on everything from solid-state relays to linear regulators to motherboards, video cards, peltiers, anywhere you don't have an easy means of mechanical mounting a 'sink and can accept (Or need) permanent bond. Permanent really is permanent, I've ripped 'sinks off old mobos I threw away to keep the sink and it torn the top half off the chip or pulled whole chip off the board instead of the epoxy bond breaking. BTW, that's a good thing. Do not use for very high heat density parts like flipchip mobo chipsets/video GPUs/CPUs. However I've had great results on older GPUs or those with heat spreaders integral (but part warranty is void of course).

Pros: Great adhesive. Permanent. Make sure you want whatever you are using this on to stay permanently because that is what you will get. Very good thermal transfer when used properly. See other thoughts for how I used this successfully.

Cons: Cover working area with newspaper or something disposable. Once this stuff sticks - it sticks for good, including your counter top and hands. Use 91% rubbing alcohol to clean surfaces before drying (including your hands). If you want, bring some ethanol alcohol when you celebrate your job with success. This isn't a negative - just a warning. This stuff hardens quick just like any other polyepoxide, so prepare well (See below.) It also spells like and epoxy when mixed, so don't think your sewer is over flowing - it's this stuff!

Overall Review: I had 16 heat sinks to glue onto each side of memory on two graphics cards (5770s). Cut off all 2 sided thermal tape with straight razor. Laid out coffee filters (because they are lint free) on counter surface. Dabbed with a cap full of alcohol, rubbed heat sink surfaces across coffee filter until all the old adhesive is gone. Cleaned a second time with a fresh filter. Cleaned surface of memory chips on cards. A small dab at a time and I was able to thinly coat sink surfaces. Gently but firmly, press the sink onto the memory chip for about 5-8 secords being careful to apply equal pressure from behind so as not to bend your card (I did this a couple years ago and destroyed a card.) You want as thin of a layer as possible so it will stick well but allow as much contact with the heat sink as possible, just like any compound only this is permanent. Make in batches. I did 4 small batches for 16 sinks. This prevents it from hardening too quickly and allows you to clean the spreader.

Pros: This thing will definitely, without any problem, hold any heatsink down permanently. I know first hand.

Cons: The only con is on my end. I accedentally used this as a thermal paste for my cpu heatsink... DO NOT do that, it's a terrible idea. Unless you want it that way. THIS IS NOT A THERMAL GREASE!!!!! I'm just nuts.

Pros: ~Improved temperatures ~Still in tact after a few years

Cons: I used this product with my Raspberry Pi device a few years back (for the small heat-sinks), one of the tubes is completely dried now, & I was hoping to get more application other than one in the future. Today I was going to use it in another project but now my project is on hold because of the tube drying up & I will just try another product.

Overall Review: It's a double edge sword for me & if I was going to buy a decent product for a one time use it would be this but for multiple applications I'm going to seek another product.

Pros: Have used this stuff for a while conducts heat much better than regular epoxy if used correctly - this stuff does not conduct electricity so small spills are not an issue as it is with the silver based AS thermal epoxy.. Starts setting in about 1 minute at 75 F, and is set in about 3 hours at the same temp [work fast or find a cold room]....

Cons: If the 2 parts to be glued are not clean they wont stick or conduct heat - used rubbing alc 90% to clean parts works without fail. Small amounts are better than a lot - a thin layer conducts better than globs fit or lap the parts before cleaning gluing..

Overall Review: Great for small heat-sinks - start with small batches like any epoxy the hotter it is the faster it sets - mix the 2 parts only enough to get the 2 parts mixed too much causes air bubbles resulting in a poor bond and poor heat transfer..

Pros: Used this on my heatsink in my Alienware M17, I had to do a copper mod to keep the Northbridge from heating up to much and causing the stutter issue that is known with this laptop. I'm making sure it sticks forever and keeps it cool.

Cons: Shame on Alienware for not remaking the Heaksink on the M17's to keep them from over heating the northbriged chipset. Good thing its the last system i'm buying from them too. If they can't get one thing right then there a useless company.

Overall Review: Thanks to Newegg for selling this stuff makes my mods work like a charm.

Pros: I used this to paste my coolermaster north bridge cooler on to my foxconn board and it only took a few minutes to stay firmly in place.

Cons: once it warms up a bit it kind of smells skunky but that goes away.

Pros: It holds very well. Used it to put heatsinks on 2 video cards. Doesnt take much, just put a little in the center of the chip, then move the heatsink in a circle on the chip to make sure it's even. This stuff holds too! You need to be quick on applying it sets pretty fast.

Cons: Didnt put itself on.