Cooler Master redesigns thermal paste syringe

If you’ve ever built a computer and manually applied thermal compound to your CPU before applying the heatsink, you’ve probably heard the advice: “apply a line about the size of a grain of rice.” Some places tell you to spread it, others don’t. Cooler Master is looking to change that with its redesigned thermal compound applicator, which moves away from the syringe-style design that most outfits have used since time immemorial.

The reasoning behind the change that Cooler Master is advertising is pretty funny, though it’s hard to tell if they’re being serious or not—we’re betting not. Cooler Master says the change isn’t about making thermal paste application easier, but “because we’re tired of having to explain to parents that their kid isn’t using drugs.”

We didn't change the shape of the syringe to make applying thermal paste a lot easier, but because we we're getting tired of having to explain parents that their kid isn't using drugs. pic.twitter.com/ClyZLDDFe9

— Cooler Master (@CoolerMaster) January 16, 2020

The imagined scenario isn’t that far-fetched. Here’s what the previous Cooler Master applicator looked like. It’s pretty close to most other applicators, if not identical:

Okay, yeah. I can see how a glance at that device might look suspicious to a confused parent. But unless kids are peeling the stickers off of all of their applicators, basic reading skills should resolve this. If necessary, a quick question to your Google Assistant will finish the job.

Cooler Master says it helps

Whether that’s true or not, Cooler Master says in the product video for the new applicator that its patented design makes applying thermal compound evenly significantly easier. That, too, will require testing and time to bear out, but it seems to hold up to a common-sense sniff.

Cooler Master is still calling the new product Mastergel, and offering it in three levels: Regular, Pro, and Maker. The three levels offer increasing thermal conductivity, rated according to Cooler Master at 5W/m-K, 8W/m-K, and 11W/m-K. The applicators otherwise each contain the same amount of compound, each comes with a cleaning cloth. No word yet on availability. The original Cooler Master Mastergel thermal paste is still available [amazon_textlink asin=’B019BZENY8′ text=’on Amazon’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’techreport09-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’3a7c41ad-f798-4419-89c9-95627b6505cd’].

And, just in case it wasn’t clear: you shouldn’t sniff, inject, inhale, or otherwise consume thermal compound. Please.