What is a downside of using thermal pads compared to thermal paste?

Using thermal pads instead of thermal paste presents several trade-offs, with one significant downside being their effectiveness. Thermal pads are designed for convenience, providing a cleaner and mess-free application process, as they do not require the same level of precision during installation as thermal paste does. However, thermal pads generally have lower thermal conductivity compared to high-quality thermal pastes.

Thermal paste can fill the microscopic gaps and imperfections on the surfaces of the CPU or GPU and the cooler, which allows for better heat transfer. In contrast, thermal pads may not make as complete a contact as thermal paste, leading to poorer thermal performance in applications where maximum heat dissipation is critical.

Thus, while thermal pads are easier to use and maintain a clean application, they are less effective at conducting heat than thermal paste, making the choice of thermal material a critical consideration based on performance needs.