Quote Originally Posted by gmcg View Post
We need an experiment to be sure. For me personally nickel creates another layer between the working cooling surface and a CPU, copper is second after silver regarding thermal conductivity (and is very close to silver at 231 vs 247), though nickel is 4 times less heat conductive at 52.4 only ... but such as a layer of nickel is very thin (it is only 4-10 micron), it shouldn't be a problem.
http://www.engineersedge.com/properties_of_metals.htm
Then why EK put this nickel, if it make thermal conductivity worse?! If it's only about better appearance, it no sense for me!