LK-128 liquid metal: bringing down the temperature of a chip that silicone paste can no longer cool

A home console blowing hard, a laptop that throttles after ten minutes: in most cases, the original thermal paste has dried out. The LK-128 is a gallium-based liquid metal alloy, whose thermal conductivity is far higher than that of a conventional silicone paste. It is an advanced repair product: powerful, but demanding.

What it does

• Much better heat transfer: a liquid alloy conducts heat far better than a paste made of particles suspended in silicone, which translates into lower temperatures on the hottest-running chips.
• Does not dry out like a conventional paste: it does not harden or crack with heat cycles, unlike the low-end factory pastes.
• Three quantities: 1 g for a single chip, 3 g and 5 g for several machines or for a workshop doing one refurbishment after another.

What it doesn't do

• It must not be applied to aluminium. Gallium attacks aluminium and eats through it: bare aluminium heatsinks, cold plates or lids are ruled out, without exception.
• It conducts electricity. A drop that spills onto the board causes a short circuit: this is not a product for your first disassembly.
• It does not replace a clogged heatsink, a worn-out fan or failed thermal pads: it only fixes the chip / heatsink contact.
• It brings nothing to a passively cooled retro console (Game Boy, Mega Drive, PS1, Saturn): these machines have no heatsink pressed onto the chip.
• No numerical specifications have been taken from the supplier's product sheet: it was incorrect. The stated conductivity in W/m·K is still to be confirmed.

Compatibility

For nickel-plated copper surfaces only: desktop or laptop processor lid, nickel-plated copper cold plate, recent home consoles including the PS5 and PS4 Pro. Do not use on any aluminium heatsink, on a bare chip without a lid if you are not equipped to protect it, or on passively cooled retro consoles.

Skill level required

Advanced. No soldering, but complete disassembly of the cooling assembly, cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and protection of the neighbouring components (conformal coating or Kapton tape) around the chip. Amount to apply: a very thin film, never a drop. Have a suitable screwdriver, lint-free cloths and isopropyl alcohol ready — see the Workshop & modding collection for tools.

In the box

• 1 syringe of LK-128 liquid metal, in the chosen quantity (1 g, 3 g or 5 g)
• Any application accessories are not guaranteed: the supplier does not document them reliably.

Product page checked on 19 August 2026.

Delivery in 10 to 18 days · ships within 3 to 5 days · 2-year legal guarantee · 14-day returns.

Read before ordering: Workshop & modding