Thermal Pads vs Thermal Paste?

Which is considered better for COB useage?

I am not concerned if one is harder/more time consuming than the other to apply.

Joe34 said:

Which is considered better for COB useage?

I am not concerned if one is harder/more time consuming than the other to apply.

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Paste is almost always better but it depends what paste it is and getting an even spread is important. Arctic mx-4 is what I use, nice consistency.

I won't use the pads. They require a curtain amount of pressure to work and the holders I use, can't do it. I might as well of just screwed it to the heat sink. And you really don't know unless you test every one. I had one COB hit 270*c during thermal testing. It is now bowed, but still works

So is that the consensus? Should pads be avoided?

I just picked some up for the first time for a build I'm doing. I've only tested the lights to see if they work, haven't actually run them for long periods yet. The pads are definitely easier to work with, but if they don't function well then that's worthless.

I've used both. I'll stick to pads. Nothing easier.