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Many new manufacturers that assemble PCs often ignore thermal paste. Of course, today’s CPU coolers come with pre-applied thermal paste, but there is no harm in using the best thermal paste at any given time. Sometimes you need to reinstall the CPU or its cooler, and you absolutely need a cooling solution because you are basically cleaning the old coating.
Not to mention, the pre-applied thermal paste may have been in the box for a few months and is usually very old. This is why we think it is always a good habit to buy and apply our own thermal paste when installing a new CPU or cooler. We also recommend that you apply a new layer of thermal paste every year, as they will dry out and lose their effectiveness over time. This will ensure that your CPU will not face any heating issues and will have a lasting impact on its performance. Even the best CPU needs a thermal solution, so you should not skimp on thermal grease.
In this article, we will look at some of the best thermal pastes you can buy right now. We have a dedicated post that details the steps involved in applying thermal paste on the CPU. The process of applying a new layer of paste on the GPU also remains the same, except that they have a complicated heat sink that you need to remove before reaching the chip itself. Now, let's start using lists:
In terms of PC cooling solutions, Arctic is a very popular brand. You may have heard of them when searching for thermal paste, but the brand also produces CPU coolers, chassis fans, etc. Before the brand decided to launch the next iteration in the form of Artic MX-5, Arctic MX-2 and MX-4 had been very popular thermal paste solutions for many years. The size of MX-5 ranges from 2 grams to 50 grams. It comes in a resealable packaging to prevent the paste from drying out over time as it is waiting to be used again, for example, one year later.
The best thing about MX-5 is that it comes with a spatula, which can easily apply the paste on the CPU IHS. In most cases, it is not necessary to apply the paste to the IHS, but for lower viscosity solutions, you may have to do so. This special process involves spraying a large amount of paste on the CPU IHS and then carefully applying it to the surface. It is important to maintain the right amount of solder paste because you don't want to apply too much solder paste on the IHS, as this may result in a decrease in thermal resistance. Remember, we are only trying to fill the gap between the CPU IHS and the CPU heat sink contact plate.
It’s worth pointing out that you may not need a spatula at all because the viscosity of MX-5 is lower than that of MX-4. Use a spatula only when you think that the solder paste cannot be evenly distributed on the surface of the CPU IHS under the installation pressure of the CPU cooler. You can try to place the cooler once without applying the paste to see how much surface is covered.
Unlike other cooling solutions on the market, ARCTIC MX-5 is a blue, white or gray paste. It is an odorless paste made from a mixture of harmless solutions. Arctic MX-5 is composed of carbon particles, which can fill the gaps or small dents on the CPU IHS well. It ensures that the heat is effectively dissipated from the IHS.
Arctic MX-5 has a thermal conductivity of 5.0 W/mK and a viscosity of 550 Pascals. The thermal conductivity is obviously much lower than that of metals such as aluminum or copper, which is a matter of course. You may find other thermal solutions with higher thermal conductivity on the market, for example about 14W/mk. Arctic Thermal Grease can be used on any and all types of processors, not limited to any specific CPU. You can also use it on mainstream CPUs and HEDT CPUs. In fact, the same paste can also be applied to the GPU.
The Arctic MX-5 is one of the more affordable options on the market. Most thermal solutions do not cost a lot of money, but in the case of the Arctic, the price per gram is extremely competitive. It is also durable for 8 years, which is higher than many other options on the market.
Noctua caters to a very special group of users who need high-performance cooling while keeping the noise output as low as possible. It happens to be one of the very few manufacturers that has been doing this for many years. We have added a large number of Noctua CPU coolers to the list of the best CPU coolers on the market. Many Noctua air coolers like NH-D15 also have thermal paste in the box. Yes, it is NT-H1 thermal grease, a kind of brown tube. Many of you may not know this, but the company also sells this special cooling solution separately for those interested.
Yes, you can purchase Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste separately and use it like any other thermal solution. In fact, as we all know, Noctua NT-H1 is one of the best thermal pastes on the market, and it is the second best choice of the best thermal pastes we can buy now. It provides an impressive set of features, which are lacking in many other thermal paste solutions on the market.
Noctua NT-H1 has no break-in period, which means it can be used from the moment you install the CPU cooler and start the system. Many thermal pastes actually lack this function, which means there is a run-in period before the thermal paste itself will solidify and begin to take effect. Noctua NT-H1 is also non-conductive, which means that there is no risk of short circuit when the solder paste contacts the motherboard PCB or any other components mounted on the board. This is a particularly important feature because you may end up sprinkling paste on the boat during the installation process.
Noctua NT-H1 is also one of the few thermal paste solutions on the market that is also suitable for compressor cooling. This means that you can use this paste to achieve extremely high overclocking speeds while using the subzero cooling method. The consistency of the NT-H1 cooler is similar to that of ARCTIC Silver 5 thermal paste. Unlike many other solutions, it tends to be thicker.
Noctua said that NT-H1 is composed of a mixed compound of different particles and is optimized for use in a PC environment. Facts have proved that NT-H1 solder paste can also achieve stable results when cooling different processors. This applies to different CPUs on the market, even including high-performance HEDT chips like Ryzen Threadrippers. As we mentioned before, it can also cool the compressor well, so it can continue to provide reliable results even at extremely low temperatures.
Unlike some other thermal paste solutions, Noctua NT-H1 tubes are available in different sizes, so if you don’t plan to use it often, you don’t have to pick up a larger tube. The tube can be resealed and stored for a long time, but large-size tubes are usually reserved for enthusiasts, who tend to mass-produce PC versions or those who like to frequently replace components for testing.
When discussing thermal paste, it is difficult to ignore Thermal Grizzly’s thermal solutions. This is a well-known brand specializing in thermal solutions. They have many different options, including thermal grease, thermal pad, liquid metal, etc. As we all know, Thermal Grizzly has some of the best cooling solutions on the market, although your mileage may vary. We chose Hydronaut thermal paste from Thermal Grizzly. The company calls it thermal grease, but this is just another name for these thermal solutions.
Thermal Grizzly stated that its Hydronaut paste is suitable for most PCs, including overclocked PCs. There are many different thermal pastes in the company's product stack, but we think this is the one that most people should pay attention to. It provides the best price/performance ratio we believe. The company stated that Hydonaut has a thermal conductivity of 0.0076 K/W and a conductivity of 0 pS/m. This is a good thing, because unlike liquid metal, you don't want the thermal paste to be conductive. This will only make the entire installation process more complicated.
The Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut has a viscosity of 140-190 Pascals, which means it is more like a paste than a liquid. We say this because the viscosity of many thermal pastes tends to be low. This means that you will most likely need an applicator to apply the paste on the CPU IHS. Thankfully, Thermal Grizzly makes it easier for you by bundling one in the package. Unlike ARCTIC MX-5, you actually need an applicator tool to apply this paste due to its stickiness.
Thermal Grizzly has a silicon-free structure, which means it has an extremely light weight and a high degree of flexibility. In theory, this means that it should be easier to use this paste compared to some other pastes that are as hard as chewing gum. The company stated that Hydonaut is suitable for CPUs with large radiators, but we think it is equally effective in the case of mainstream CPUs. You can buy Hydronaut in a variety of different sizes, ranging from 1 gram to 26 grams. Each unit is equipped with an applicator that we discussed earlier. You can get a larger amount of price-performance ratio, so we recommend that you buy at least 7.8 gram units to get the best value.
Thermal Grizzly can be used in a variety of cooling solutions, whether it is an air cooler or a liquid cooler. Thermal Grizzly stated that Hydonaut is paired with high-end PCs with sophisticated cooling solutions, so if you have a heavy machine, this is an excellent choice.
In addition to thermal paste, Thermal Grizzly also sells a series of different products, including a cleaning agent that can be used to remove the existing old thermal paste coating on the CPU and cooler. TG Remove is an acetone-based cleaner. It is also worth choosing if you don't have isopropyl acid to clean the CPU. If you want to protect the high temperature protective coating from the influence of liquid metal or other conductive heat transfer agents, you can also use TG Shield.
In addition to various coolers, memory modules, PC cases, etc., Corsair also sells thermal paste. Coming from a brand that is popular for its PC components is not a surprise, eh? Well, Corsair offers two thermal paste solutions-XTM30 and XTM50 thermal paste. XTM50 is suitable for high-performance processors. It is one of the best thermal pastes you can buy right now. It is obviously very effective in terms of cooling, but we chose it for ease of use.
Corsair XTM50 high-performance thermal paste is the only product in the series with application templates and spreaders. Yes, it comes with a template to ensure that you don't have to worry about spilling solder paste on the CPU socket or other surrounding components. All you have to do is place the template on the CPU IHS, add a large amount of paste on the IHS, and then use a spreader to spread the paste evenly. It will ensure that a thin layer of paste is applied to the IHS, and the excess paste will overflow onto the template, thereby protecting the socket and other components.
XTM50 solder paste itself has a low viscosity, so you can also use the "point method" to apply the solder paste and let the placement pressure work. However, if you are too worried about using this method for application, the bundled template and spreader can do the job easily. In theory, you can use any application method for low-viscosity compounds, but the template makes it easier to apply. It is suitable for new manufacturers who do not necessarily have the technical knowledge to apply thermal paste correctly and how incorrect application can have a lasting effect on the overall performance of the CPU.
Corsair XTM50 is only available in one size, which means you cannot choose a small amount. Fortunately, you can reseal the tube and save it for the next time you need to use it again. Corsair stated that the ultra-low thermal resistance of XTM50 composites makes it superior to most other cooling solutions on the market. We think it is as good as any other thermal paste that we have included in this series to cool the CPU. XTM50 just makes it easier for you to install and paste.
Alternatively, you can purchase the XTM30 compound from Corsair, but it is not bundled with the template and spreader, and you will have to rely on traditional application methods to apply the paste on the CPU IHS. Both of Corsair's thermal solutions are made of zero volatile compounds and are also non-conductive. It will not dry as early as some other thermal pastes. We recommend using low-viscosity thermal pastes, mainly because they are easy to apply. You must manually apply the hard thermal grease solution instead of leaving them on the IHS and let the installation pressure solve the problem for you.
You may have heard that many people use thermal pads instead of thermal paste. This is completely normal, because the thermal pad is also very efficient. The thermal pad is mainly used for M.2 SSD modules. Therefore, the heat sink or motherboard shield covering the M.2 SSD module is equipped with a thermal pad to dissipate the heat generated by the module. It works in the same way as thermal paste, except that they are solid pads, not pastes or liquid solutions.
Many manufacturers produce thermal pads, but we think Thermal Grizzly's Carbonaut is one of the best choices on the market. This can also be used on processors and GPUs. The application of the thermal pad involves placing the pad on top of the CPU IHS to fill the gap between the IHS and the heat sink. The same is true for GPUs, but in this case there is no IHS. But why should you use a thermal pad instead of the thermal paste we have been told to use for years?
Well, first of all, there will be no confusion when installing the thermal pad. It's as simple as putting the pad on top of the component, and then putting the heat sink on it. There is no danger of dripping excess glue onto the CPU socket or other sensitive areas on the motherboard. Thermal Grizzly’s Carbonaut also promises not to get old, which means you may not have to apply new ones as often as you would with thermal paste. They are perfect for graphics cards and applications that require extensive disassembly. Laptop computers are also a good example.
Applying a new layer of thermal paste on the laptop may be too tiring, because the disassembly process involves you disassembling the entire laptop. Since they do not degrade like thermal paste, you only need to apply it once and should be usable on the rest of the laptop unless the temperature drops.
You will get a large thermal pad in a pack of Thermal Grizzly Carbonaut. Then, you can cut the appropriate size to suit your needs and save the rest for future use. Remember, they will not degrade over time. It turns out that it can work efficiently on CPU and GPU. In fact, Thermal Grizzly Carbonaut is as effective as Thermal Grizzly's Kryonaut or Hydonaut thermal paste. Some people also use these thermal pads for overclocking, and the performance seems to be on par with most thermal pastes on the market.
The best thing about the thermal pad is that it is reusable, which means you don’t have to use a new thermal pad after installing a new CPU or cooler. It can also be placed on top of the GPU memory module inside the graphics card heat sink. We have seen many people use normal heat dissipation on the module to adjust the memory temperature, so this is also a reliable choice. You can just use a pack of thermal pads and cut the appropriate number to use on the CPU and GPU.
Like many other PC components, CPUs have evolved a lot over the years. Many CPUs on the market today can reach crazy peak frequencies when overclocked under favorable conditions. Our standard thermal paste is suitable for most use cases, but you may have seen some enthusiasts using liquid metal as a heat dissipation solution. Liquid metal thermal paste solutions are very efficient and they are used to tame some of the most powerful CPUs on the market that operate at extremely high frequencies. We are talking about frequencies above 5Ghz at a sustained speed, which is much higher than most CPUs advertise.
Thermal Grizzly is one of the few manufacturers that sell consumer-grade liquid metal thermal paste. In typical TG fashion, it is called Conductonaut. It is essentially a liquid metal thermal paste, specially developed for high-efficiency applications. The site clearly mentions what it means for "experienced users" who know what they are doing. If you don't know, liquid metal is conductive. In addition, since it is liquid, it is difficult to apply. You must be careful not to splash liquid metal on any other components, including motherboards, CPU sockets, etc. This may cause short circuits and component failure.
Due to the complexity of the application method, it is recommended not to mess up the liquid metal unless you know exactly what you are doing. The application involves dropping a small amount of liquid metal on the CPU IHS and then carefully spreading it out with a piece of cotton. This will ensure that you will not spill any extra liquid metal outside of the IHS, saving you a lot of trouble. Building a PC is not necessarily more complicated than it is now, so if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s best to stay away from liquid metal thermal paste. However, Thermal Grizzly makes it easier by bundling all necessary items including the applicator in the packaging.
Most importantly, liquid metal cannot be used with aluminum radiators because the gallium in it will react with aluminum. This is not a real problem, because most heat sinks (remember, not all) are made of copper, and copper does not react with liquid metal. Having said that, the high risk is rewarded in a meaningful way, and liquid metal provides a thermal conductivity of up to 73 W/(mK). It is much higher than the 0.5-12.5 W/(mK) thermal conductivity provided by traditional thermal paste.
Many high-performance machines, mostly pre-built computers, use liquid metal. These prefab systems from original equipment manufacturers are built by "experts" who have their own way of working with liquid metal. Again, there is no way to judge how efficient they are applying liquid metal to the CPU. It is also a good practice to open these prefab PCs to check if they have spilled any liquid metal on the motherboard or other components. In this case, you can request a replacement device, and you should do so.
However, liquid metal cannot be used with compressor cooling methods, so if you are dealing with these complex structures, you must stick to other options, such as Noctua NT-H1.
As we mentioned before, Arctic Silver is one of the most popular manufacturers in the thermal paste field because they provide different kinds of solutions. Artic's Silver series is also deeply loved by enthusiasts. The Silver series has also been around for a long time, and the company has managed to keep it relevant in the field by adding newer and better variants to match current standards. Arctic Silver 5 is currently one of the most popular thermal paste solutions on the market. It is a high-density polysynthetic silver compound, which is well known to be very effective in various constructions. It contains micronized silver and several other thermally conductive ceramic particles to provide a high level of performance and stability.
Arctic Silver 5 happens to be one of the best quality solutions on the market. It is made of 99.9% pure silver, as the manufacturer claims. Arctic said that the paste uses three unique shapes and sizes of pure silver particles to maximize the contact area and heat transfer between the particles. Maintaining good contact is the key to high-quality solder paste, and Arctic uses high-quality compounds to achieve this. It also contains more than 88% thermally conductive filler to increase the weight of the substance. In addition to micronized silver, Arctic also uses submicron zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, and boron nitride particles. All these compounds work together to improve overall performance. They also help the paste provide long-term stability.
The consistency of Arctic Silver 5 is designed for ease of application. This paste does not contain any silicone, so it has a lower viscosity compared to some other pastes in this series. The compound becomes thinner during initial use, so that users can more easily apply it to CPU IHS. The low viscosity also ensures the best physical contact between the radiator and the CPU IHS. In the next 50 to 200 hours of use, it will thicken slightly before reaching the final consistency of long-term stability. This means that unlike other compounds such as Noctua NT-H1, Arctic Silver 5 has a break-in period. However, this will not necessarily disrupt the transaction. In fact, most users prefer this behavior of pasting because it can be easily installed.
This special thermal paste is not conductive, it should be. For example, electrically and thermally conductive compounds such as liquid metals are difficult to handle. If any problems occur during the installation process, they may damage your entire PC. On the other hand, Arctic Silver 5 is relatively safer. However, it is still a good idea to keep it away from electrical traces, pins, and leads. Silver 5 is slightly capacitive, and if it bridges two close electrical paths, it may cause problems. Arctic Silver 5 is available in two sizes-3.5 grams and 12 grams-and you can also get an applicator tool. Ideally, its thin consistency should make it easier to install, but there is no harm in using an applicator, especially when you are handling thermal paste for the first time. You can check the availability of the compound using the link below.
Cooler Master's comprehensive product portfolio also includes thermal paste. In fact, the company offers several different thermal pastes. They are not as popular as some other thermal compounds on the market, which is why they may be overlooked as they are mostly buried deep in their website. Among all the available options, we think Cooler Master Ice Fusion V2 is an option worthy of your attention. Cooler Master also produces entry-level thermal paste, but considering that most people buy it at once, it is best to buy good quality thermal paste.
Cooler Master's Ice Fusion V2 thermal paste is contained in a cylindrical container instead of a tube. However, this is just a different presentation, it is still a paste. If there is, we prefer to have a tube because it can easily pop the correct amount. You will use a spatula in the case of Ice Fusion V2. Again, it may not be a deal breaker at all, but it is definitely worth mentioning. For its value, Cooler Master stated that Ice Fusion V2 has a double-layer sealed package to protect the compound from damage after opening. This is an important factor to consider, because Ice Fusion V2 compounds are only available in a 40-gram package, and you will not use all of these compounds at once. You will save the rest in the end, so double-sealed packaging is a nice addition.
Ice Fusion V2, as the name suggests, is the second generation product. Therefore, it is an upgraded version of the old version of Ice Fusion thermal paste, and it also uses a similar packaging. Cooler Master said that the new version of the compound has high insulation and high temperature resistance. The company also claims that it is an environmentally friendly paste and a low-volatility product. Cooler Master does not have an in-depth knowledge of the product details in its specification sheet, so we don't necessarily know the viscosity of the compound. However, it is a density-filled compound, so you see more of a thick paste than a liquid consistency. The added applicator tool is also a nice addition, because you need something to dig the box and apply the paste on the CPU.
Cooler Master says its thermal conductivity is 5 (W/mK). Of course, this is comparable to most other thermal pastes in this series, except for liquid metal. Liquid metals tend to be better in terms of thermal conductivity, which is why they are more popular among enthusiasts dealing with complex structures. Ice Fusion V2 is gray, and due to its thick consistency, it should be relatively easy to install. There is no typical break-in period for thick hot compounds, so this is also a good thing. Cooler Master also offers many other thermal compounds, such as high-performance thermal paste, MasterGel manufacturer, MasterGel Pro, etc. In fact, Cooler Master also has a thermal pad, similar to Thermal Grizzly's Carbonaut pad.
This brings us to the end of this particular series involving the best thermal pastes on the market. All the thermal solutions mentioned in this series are excellent choices and provide sufficient thermal conductivity for most use cases. It mainly involves the ease of use and consistency you like. We believe that most users will be satisfied with Arctic MX-5 or Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste. They are easily available on the market and relatively easy to use. Liquid metal solutions such as Thermal Grizzly's Conductonaut are difficult to use, but they also provide the best thermal conductivity. Or, if you don’t want to deal with sticking, you can also consider purchasing a thermal pad from Thermal Grizzly.
Many manufacturers usually tend to repackage the same thermal paste through marginal upgrades, so you are unlikely to find many newer options on the market. That being said, you can pay close attention to this page as we will try to adapt to them when new thermal paste solutions are launched. This may be the best time to build a PC, because the computing space is flooded with new versions such as Windows 11 and Intel's new Alder Lake chip. If you are building a new computer, then you may want to consider checking out some of our other series, including the best monitors and even the best webcams. You can also join our XDA Computing forum to discuss everything in the computing world with others.
XDA »Buying Guide» These are the best thermal pastes you can buy in 2021
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