AM5 copper guard stops you from making a mess on your Ryzen CPU — also improves heat dissipation

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This $5 plate guard ensures clean thermal paste application.

Ainex AM5 Copper Guard Plate
(Image credit: Ainex)

PC parts and accessories manufacturer Ainex, based in Japan, just launched the MK-04C AM5 CPU guard plate. This device, made using copper, fits around the heat spreader of AM5 chips, allowing users to cleanly apply thermal paste without a considerable chunk falling off the edge. Ainex said on its X (formerly Twitter) account that the device will go live on February 12, and it’s expected to cost around JPY750 to JPY880, or about $5 to $6.

A few drops of thermal goo are still expected to seep in between the tiny gap between the plate and the heat spreader, but it ensures that only a tiny amount will fall through. This allows you to liberally slather thermal paste on your processor without making a mess.

In addition, you can leave the plate after applying the thermal paste and, if it fits, put your cooler on top of it. The plate's copper material allows it to conduct heat away from the processor, and the company says it reduced the CPU temperature for their system by about one to two degrees Celsius.

Ainex said that they did not thoroughly test this temperature reduction and that it might be due to a margin of error. But if you want to squeeze every drop of performance from your CPU, this might be a good enough reason to get this plate.

However, the company also says this is a general-purpose product and cannot guarantee that it will work with every cooler on the market. It also said on its website, “We are not responsible for any direct or indirect damage caused by the failure of this product or its use.”

Of course, these are just the usual caveats that any company would give to protect itself when releasing a product. Nevertheless, you should always be careful when modifying your PC, as its components are often fragile.

We don’t know if the company will sell this in the U.S. through Micro Center, Newegg, or Amazon, but some alternatives are available on Alibaba and Amazon. We’ve seen a couple of copper AM5 thermal paste guards on the former priced between $2.74 and $5.69 from unfamiliar brands. On the other hand, we found a Thermalright listing on Amazon that offers a relatively large anti-bending AM5 CPU frame holder made using aluminum for $8.39.

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Jowi Morales
Jowi Morales
Contributing Writer

Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

19 Comments Comment from the forums
  • TechieTwo
    Apparently many folks missed the memo that TIM should be installed as thin as possible because it is only intended to fill in minute imperfections in the heatsink and CPU lid. The thicker the TIM the less heat transfer to the cooler.
    Reply
  • HardwiredWireless
    Well that's just lazy. If you don't have the skill to spread some paste neatly on a piece of metal you probably should stay away from building computers we're working with anything electronic for that matter.
    Reply
  • Alvar "Miles" Udell
    https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HPpwy6iPTj4qGNfopAutKR-970-80.jpg.webp

    If you're applying TIM like this, you are not appling it correctly. The goal is to fill the microscopic grooves in the IHS and heatsink base, not frost it like a cake...
    Reply
  • Snarks Domain
    Or better yet, just switch to a Phase Change Material like Honeywell PTM7950 or similar.

    It typically outperforms thermal paste and last an extremely long time.

    I recommend cutting it about 3mm smaller on all 4 sides. Makes it easier to do 2nd peel. You'll still end up woth full coverage once it melts and flows out 80% of the material.

    Now, running an actual contact (anti-warping) frame is something I can get behind, still with a PCM/PTM, or paste of your choice.
    Reply
  • CelicaGT
    Alvar Miles Udell said:
    If you're applying TIM like this, you are not appling it correctly. The goal is to fill the microscopic grooves in the IHS and heatsink base, not frost it like a cake...
    Right?!

    In my experience TIM is often over applied, and reduces cooling efficiency. We use this stuff at work on an industrial scale for 800VDC liquid cooled motor drives. A silk screen mask and roller are used to apply TIM to the cooling blocks in the optimal pattern and quantity. It's always way less than one might think, as in...a little more than a skiff. That's all. If that little skiff will transfer enough heat on a $75K drive then I'm sure it's enough for a wee little CPU.
    Reply
  • aliwalyd3
    TechieTwo said:
    Apparently many folks missed the memo that TIM should be installed as thin as possible because it is only intended to fill in minute imperfections in the heatsink and CPU lid. The thicker the TIM the less heat transfer to the cooler.
    Wrong. The pressure from the cooler will ALWAYS push out any excess.
    Reply
  • aliwalyd3
    CelicaGT said:
    Right?!

    In my experience TIM is often over applied, and reduces cooling efficiency. We use this stuff at work on an industrial scale for 800VDC liquid cooled motor drives. A silk screen mask and roller are used to apply TIM to the cooling blocks in the optimal pattern and quantity. It's always way less than one might think, as in...a little more than a skiff. That's all. If that little skiff will transfer enough heat on a $75K drive then I'm sure it's enough for a wee little CPU.
    Completely incorrect. More will never reduce cooling efficiency. Any and all excess will always be pushed out the sides from the pressure applied by the cooler.
    Reply
  • DingusDog
    Is that article picture from the Verge PC guy? Way too much paste.
    Reply
  • DingusDog
    aliwalyd3 said:
    Completely incorrect. More will never reduce cooling efficiency. Any and all excess will always be pushed out the sides from the pressure applied by the cooler.
    Great. And where does all that extra paste go? Down the sides of your socket that's where. Sure it's harmless unless using conductive TIM like liquid metal but why use that much in the first place?
    Reply
  • Amdlova
    Today I just squeeze the tube over cpu and it's done. Will work, will be hot 1 or 2°c will not kill anyone.
    Reply