Sourcing thermal pads for a GPU cooling application presents a wide range of material, conductivity, and thickness options. Between silicone and silicone-free materials, conductivity ratings from 1.5 W/mK to 24 W/mK, and thicknesses ranging from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, making the right choice requires understanding what actually matters for the specific graphics card and operating environment.
At NEDC, we die-cut thermal pads from materials manufactured by Bergquist (Henkel), Laird/DuPont, Parker Chomerics, T-Global Technology, and FujiPoly. This guide breaks down the selection criteria that matter when sourcing GPU thermal pads for production, prototyping, or replacement.
Why GPU Thermal Pad Material Matters
A GPU generates heat across multiple surfaces — the GPU core, VRAM modules, and voltage regulation modules (VRMs) all need thermal interface materials to transfer heat to the heatsink. The thermal pad selected determines how efficiently that heat moves away from each component.
Thermal conductivity (measured in W/mK) is the headline spec, but it is not the only factor. A pad with 6 W/mK that conforms well to uneven surfaces and fills air gaps can outperform a 12 W/mK pad that is too stiff to make good contact. The pad’s softness, thickness, and conformability all play a role in real-world thermal performance.
Conductivity Tiers for GPU Thermal Pads
GPU thermal pads generally fall into three conductivity tiers:
Entry-level (1.5-3 W/mK): Suitable for low-power GPUs, memory chips, and components with modest thermal output. Materials like Gap Pad 1500 and standard silicone pads work here.
Mid-range (4-8 W/mK): The sweet spot for most GPU applications. Covers VRAM cooling, VRM cooling, and mid-tier GPU cores. Bergquist Gap Pad 5000S35 (5 W/mK), THERM-A-GAP PAD 60 (6 W/mK), and T-Global TG-A3500 (6.5 W/mK) are common choices.
High-performance (10-24 W/mK): For high-TDP GPUs, AI accelerators, and dense server environments. T-top99-s (24 W/mK), T-top98-s (18 W/mK), and Henkel GAP PAD TGP 12000ULM (12 W/mK) represent the upper end.
Silicone vs Silicone-Free GPU Pads
Most GPU thermal pads are silicone-based. Silicone pads are soft, conformable, and available in a wide range of conductivities. However, silicone can bleed — a phenomenon where silicone oil migrates from the pad onto surrounding components, which can interfere with electrical contacts or optical surfaces.
Silicone-free pads from Laird/DuPont (TFLEX SF series) and T-Global (TG-APC93) eliminate this risk. If a GPU application includes sensitive optics, sensors, or contamination-sensitive electronics, silicone-free gap pads are the safer choice.
Thickness Selection for GPU Thermal Pads
GPU thermal pad thickness matters more than many buyers realize. Too thin, and the pad will not bridge the gap between the component and heatsink. Too thick, and thermal resistance increases because heat must travel through more material.
Common GPU thermal pad thicknesses:
- 0.5 mm — VRAM modules with tight clearance
- 1.0 mm — GPU core with moderate gap
- 1.5 mm — VRMs and power delivery components
- 2.0 mm — Large gaps between VRM and heatsink
If the exact thickness is not available, stacking thermal pads is an option, though it introduces an additional interface that can slightly increase thermal resistance.
Custom Die-Cut GPU Thermal Pads
Off-the-shelf thermal pads come in sheets that must be cut to size by hand. For production runs, this is inefficient and inconsistent. NEDC die-cuts thermal pads to exact specifications using steel-rule dies, producing consistent parts at volumes ranging from prototype quantities to full production runs.
Custom die-cut GPU thermal pads offer:
- Consistent dimensions with tight tolerances
- PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive) backing for easy assembly
- Kiss-cut parts on a liner for pick-and-place assembly
- Complex geometries that match VRAM layouts and VRM patterns
Are Factory GPU Thermal Pads Good Enough?
Many GPUs ship with thermal pads pre-installed by the manufacturer. These factory pads are typically chosen for cost, not maximum performance. Replacing them with higher-conductivity pads can reduce GPU temperatures by 5-15 degrees Celsius, depending on the original pad quality and the replacement material.
For more on this topic, see our existing guide on best thermal pads for GPUs.
Sourcing GPU Thermal Pads from NEDC
NEDC stocks thermal pad materials from multiple manufacturers and die-cuts custom shapes to customer specifications. Whether the requirement is a handful of prototype parts or a full production run, NEDC helps select the right material for each GPU application.
Request a quote with pad dimensions, material preferences, and quantity requirements, and our team will respond with pricing and lead time.
For more information on our full thermal pad capabilities, visit our thermal pads product page.