Key Takeaways
1. Corrosion Risks: The SGT-4 thermal paste may cause significant corrosion on copper parts of coolers and processors, backed by user reports from South Korea.
2. Chemical Composition: The paste contains PDMS and acetoxy-crosslinked RTV silicone, which releases acetic acid during drying, leading to oxidation of copper surfaces.
3. Strong Odor: A strong vinegar-like smell is a warning sign of the paste’s potential danger and corrosive properties.
4. High Stickiness and Low Performance: The thermal paste exhibits unusually high stickiness after application and lower thermal conductivity than advertised by the manufacturer.
5. Lack of Transparency from Manufacturer: Amech has not adequately addressed concerns about corrosion, focusing instead on compliance with RoHS and REACH standards, leading to customer dissatisfaction.
The SGT-4 thermal paste, made by the Korean company Amech, has become quite popular due to its cheap price – which is currently about $7 for 4 g on Amazon. But last year, German hardware expert Igor Wallossek had already expressed worries on his site, Igor’s LAB, that this paste might harm computer hardware. New user feedback from South Korea seems to back up his concerns, showing significant corrosion on the copper parts of coolers and processors.
Warning Signs
One of the first signs that this thermal paste might be dangerous is its strong smell, resembling vinegar. Wallossek pointed out in a chemical analysis last year that the paste includes PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) and acetoxy-crosslinked RTV silicone. This mix releases acetic acid as it dries, which can oxidize copper surfaces and create long-term contact issues. Additionally, the paste has shown to have unusually high stickiness after being applied and provided much lower thermal conductivity than what the manufacturer claimed.
User Reports
Reports of damage can be found on the South Korean forum Quasarzone, where multiple users have mentioned corroded coolers, worn CPU labels, and, in some instances, health issues from the evaporating acetic acid. One user inspected the damage under a microscope and described it as “anthill-like corrosion structures,” which matches the chemical processes Igor Wallossek had talked about before. Coolers that have untreated copper surfaces seem to be especially at risk, while those with nickel plating are more resistant.
Manufacturer’s Response
Amech’s response to these issues has been lacking in transparency, as they only pointed to their existing RoHS and REACH compliance, which does not address the product’s corrosive properties. The company has also faced backlash for how they communicate with customers. In the comments on Wallossek’s latest article, users have shown strong dissatisfaction and have suggested more reliable alternatives like Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Arctic MX-6 (8 g for $9).
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