I'm building a new rig with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and I'm torn between using thermal paste vs a thermal pad for my cooling solution. I've heard thermal paste is better for filling microscopic air gaps, but thermal pads are easier to apply and less messy. Which should I choose for optimal heat transfer and easy maintenance? Any insights or experiences with these on the 9800X3D would be greatly appreciated!
With the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, you'll want to prioritize efficient heat transfer due to its high performance. In my experience, quality thermal paste like Arctic MX-6 or Noctua NT-H2 offers better thermal conductivity compared to thermal pads. Thermal paste can be a bit messy, but it's worth the slight hassle for the improved heat dissipation.
That said, if you prefer a cleaner and easier application, high-quality thermal pads like the Gelid GP-Extreme or Thermal Grizzly Carbonaut can be a good compromise. They won't perform quite as well as top-tier pastes, but they're still quite effective.
For the 9800X3D, I'd personally recommend a good thermal paste for optimal cooling. Make sure to apply it correctly (pea-sized dot in the center or a thin spread using the 'spread method') for best results.