Thermal Paste is a substance or compound that is applied to the heat sink or processor that acts as an interface between them for better transfer of heat from the processor to the heat sink, which in turn helps in reducing the temperature of your processor. The processor can be a CPU, GPU, or even an Integrated Circuit (IC) but here we will talk only about CPU and GPU. The main purpose of thermal paste is to fill the gaps that are left behind when you install the heatsink onto the CPU or GPU. These gaps cause inefficient and improper heat transfer from the processor to the heat sink because air is a bad conductor of heat.
A thermal paste is made up of filler material suspended in a polymerizable liquid matrix or suspension fluid. The filler is a compound or material with a high thermal conductivity that helps in the majority of heat transfer. Higher the thermal conductivity of a thermal paste, the better its performance. Metals are on the top in terms of thermal conductivity but they are electrical conductive too which is a bit of a downside of metal-based thermal compounds. This is because electrically conductive thermal paste may damage your processor, motherboard, or other components by causing a short circuit if it comes in contact with their pins or exposed circuitry.
Even with the best CPU Coolers or GPU Coolers, you may face temperature issues with your processor if the thermal paste dries/is worn out or it is not of good quality. Also, you should get the best available thermal paste if you are into overclocking. Almost all the heat sink or coolers come with pre-applied thermal paste but many times it is not of good quality and you must always buy and apply a good thermal paste before installing any heatsink cooler.
Thermal paste is also known as a thermal compound, thermal interface material (TIM), thermal grease, heatsink paste, heat sink compound, and heat sink grease. Let us now look at the different types of thermal paste based on their physical appearance, thermal conductivity, and performance.
Read also: Best Thermal Pads for CPU, GPU, RAM, VRM & Heatsinks
Types of Thermal Paste / Thermal Grease
Here are the various types of thermal compounds or thermal pastes that you can find in the market.
Ceramic / Silicone-based – These thermal compounds use metal oxides or ceramic powder suspended in silicone compounds. They have good performance and are relatively cheaper than the Metal and Carbon-based thermal compounds. The filler or metal oxides that are generally used are Aluminum Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Boron Nitride, and Aluminum Nitride, Silicon Dioxide. These thermal compounds are electrically non-conductive and are white or gray in appearance. The quality and performance of the ceramic or silicone-based thermal paste depend on the type of metal oxide used along with other particles. The thermal conductivity of these heat sink compounds is pretty good and they are the top choice for anyone on a budget. Pure Silicone thermal pastes are the worst of all and should be avoided at any cost.
Metal based – When it comes to performance then nothing can beat metal-based thermal paste. These heatsink compounds use metal particles as a filler and have much higher thermal conductivity. The most commonly used metal particles include Silver and sometimes aluminum. These thermal pastes are quite expensive and are used in high-performance gaming PCs and for overclocking purposes. They are generally grayish or silver in color. Metal based thermal paste is also the top choice for application in delidding a CPU for replacing the stock thermal paste with a better one. Liquid metal thermal pastes are quite expensive and most of the time they contain Gallium which should not be used on an Aluminum heatsink or aluminum IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader). In general, most Intel IHS are made of copper with nickel plating but AMD Threadripper IHS contains Tin and liquid metal thermal paste should be avoided on it. Also, the metal-based thermal paste should be avoided for sub-zero overclocking that involves liquid nitrogen for cooling down the CPU at negative temperatures before the overclock.
The main disadvantage of metal-based thermal compounds is that they are electrically conductive and capacitive, and you have to use them carefully on the CPU or GPU otherwise they can cause short-circuit and damage your components. These thermal pastes have a cure time of around 200 hours which is a bit of let down too.
Carbon based – Carbon-based thermal paste comes close to the performance of the metal-based thermal paste. They use carbon particles such as Diamond power, and graphite powder/graphite oxide as a filler, and sometimes they may contain ceramic powder too. They have high thermal conductivity, are close to metal-based ones, and are also quite expensive compared to ceramic or silicone-based thermal grease. They are generally grayish in appearance and are electrically non-conductive and non-capacitive.
Hybrid Thermal Paste – Hybrid thermal paste contains a mixture of different particles to form a single thermal paste. For example, a hybrid thermal compound may contain a mixture of metal particles with metal oxides or some other particles that are not disclosed by the manufacturer itself. These thermal pastes offer very good performance with almost no curing time, and they are generally grayish in appearance. They can be expensive and are used for overclocking by enthusiasts.
How to Apply and Remove Thermal Paste
There are various to apply thermal paste on the CPU or heatsink. The most common method is the Pea method where you put a pea-sized amount of thermal paste on the CPU / GPU and then install the heatsink over it. After this, the thermal paste gets evenly spread on the processor with the pressure and temperature. It is considered as one of the easiest and most efficient methods for thermal paste application. Other popular methods of thermal paste application include line, X, and spread methods which are also widely recognized and work pretty well.
You can easily remove the existing dried-out thermal paste from the heatsink using paper towels and cotton cloth dipped in 70% to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. You should always clean and remove each and every trace of the older thermal paste to avoid any kind of performance issue in the future.
*Thermal Conductivity is the property of a material to conduct heat. It is measured in watts per meter-kelvin (W/(m⋅K)).
*Some thermal pastes have Cure time which is the time taken by the thermal paste to reach its peak performance and efficiency. Generally, metal-based thermal pastes have a cure time while ceramic, and hybrid carbon-based thermal pastes have no curing time.
Best Thermal Paste for CPU / GPU / Overclocking
Here are the best thermal pastes for CPU Air Coolers, AIO Liquid CPU Coolers, Laptop Heatsink Coolers, and GPU Coolers. Some of them are preferred thermal paste for CPU / GPU overclocking. They offer the best performance and last much longer than the average or cheaper thermal compounds in the market.
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste
[Trusted and Very Popular Thermal Paste]
Arctic Silver 5 is a legendary metal-based thermal compound that has been around for quite a long time. This is a high-performance thermal compound that can be used for overclocking and for achieving maximum cooling performance. It can be applied to both CPU and GPU. This is an electrically non-conductive thermal paste and contains 99.9% Pure Silver (micronized silver particles) along with Ceramic particles or metal oxides that include zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, and boron nitride particles for durability and stability. It does not contain silicone and the suspension fluid is a proprietary mixture of advanced polysynthetic oils. The thermal compound is dark gray in color and is not too viscous. It has a thermal conductivity of 8.9 W/mK and works with temperatures ranging from –50°C to >180°C at peak and –50°C to 130°C for long-term usage. The company also states that the paste will not separate, run, migrate, or bleed during operation which I found to be true. The thermal paste is slightly capacitive in nature which means it has the property to retain some charge and should be avoided in contact with electrical pins, contacts, or paths to avoid any future damage even though it is electrically non-conductive.
This thermal paste has a curing time of about 200 hours after which it reaches to its full performance/efficiency and spreads out evenly between the heatsink and the processor. In the initial stages, it thins out to reach out to every gap, and then from 50 hours to 200 hours of use, it thickens out to make a stable bond between the processor and the heatsink. It comes in a syringe and with 3.5 grams of thermal paste in this. This much thermal grease is enough for around 5 to 6 applications on average. It also depends on the method you use to apply thermal paste because if you use the pea-size method then you can squeeze it to up to 10 applications. This thermal paste can also be used to replace the stock thermal paste in CPU delidding and it is also one of the best thermal pastes for laptops. This high-quality thermal paste is not that expensive and is highly recommended by me.
| Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Metal + Ceramic based |
| Thermal Conductivity | 8.9 W/mK |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | Dark Grayish |
| Quantity | 3.5 gram (in Syringe) |
| Application | CPU, GPU |
| Performance | Excellent (*Curing time of 200 hours) |
Buy Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste
[High-Quality Thermal Paste from Noctua]
Noctua NT-H1 is an advanced high-performance thermal paste that can be used for both CPU and GPU. This is a hybrid thermal paste that is made up of different micro-particles that have extremely low resistance and excellent thermal conductivity. This thermal compound is gray in color and is electrically non-conductive and non-capacitive. It comes in 1.4ml capacity by volume and is suitable for around 15 applications. It has almost no curing time or burning time to set in as to reach its full potential or performance.
Its peak operating temperature ranges from -50°C to +110°C and recommended operating temperature from -40°C to +90°C. This thermal paste can be used with CPU delidding and supports both copper and aluminum heatsinks. It is also great for overclocking and remains very stable during high temperatures even in the long run. The performance of Noctua NT-H1 is equal to or a bit better than the Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste and that too with no curing time involved. So, if you are looking for top-quality thermal paste with next-generation technology then this is the one that you should get for your CPU / GPU cooling. Highly Recommended by me for enthusiasts and for normal use.
| Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Hybrid |
| Thermal Conductivity | 8.9W/mK (approx.) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | Grey |
| Quantity | 1.4ml (for at least 15 applications) |
| Application | CPU, GPU |
| Performance | Excellent (No curing time) |
Buy Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 Thermal Compound
[Very Good Performance, Longer Life, Popular]
Another high-performance thermal compound which is in the league of Arctic Silver 5 and Noctua NT-NH1. ARCTIC MX-4 is a carbon-based thermal compound that is composed of carbon micro-particles that have high thermal conductivity and are electrically non-conductive and non-capacitive. This is a multipurpose thermal paste and can be used with Air / Liquid CPU coolers, laptop coolers, and VGA / GPU coolers. It comes in a syringe with 4g / 8g capacity depending on your choice.
ARCTIC MX-4 is a very reliable and durable thermal paste as it will last at least 8 years which I think is remarkable and has the longest life compared to other thermal compounds. This is due to the fact that carbon particles have a higher lifespan even under high temperatures. The paste is also not very thick or thin and has a moderate viscosity. It has a thermal conductivity of 8.5 W/(mK) and is grey in color. Overall, it is a top-quality carbon-based thermal compound for overclockers and enthusiasts.
| ARCTIC MX-4 Thermal Compound Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Carbon-based |
| Thermal Conductivity | 8.5 W/(mK) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | Gray |
| Quantity | 4 grams |
| Application | CPU, GPU |
| Performance | Excellent, No curing time |
Buy ARCTIC MX-4 Thermal Compound
Buy Arctic MX-4 Thermal Compound 2019 Edition
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Thermal Paste
[Best for Overclocking (except sub-zero)]
Thermal Grizzly is a German company that specializes in thermal compounds for professional use and overclocking. Here we have Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut which is a new-age liquid metal thermal paste that has an exceptionally high thermal conductivity of 73 W/mK. This liquid metal thermal compound is made up of a mixture of metals like tin, gallium, and indium. This is the preferred thermal paste for extreme overclocking and CPU delidding. However, this thermal paste is not recommended for Sub-Zero Overclocking i.e. Overclocking using Liquid Nitrogen at extremely low temperatures. It is silver in color and can operate with temperatures from 10 °C to +140 °C.
One thing that you must remember is that this thermal compound should not be used with a heatsink with an aluminum base because it contains Gallium that reacts with aluminum and forms an extremely fragile and brittle material, thus damaging your heatsink. It should only be used with a heatsink with a copper base and should not be applied to the aluminum area of the heatsink. So, if you using it with CPU delidding then make sure that the CPU IHS is made up of copper and avoid it completely with aluminum or tin-based IHS. It comes with two Isopropyl alcohol (70%) pads and applicators that look like cotton swabs. The paste is a bit messy to apply because it is a bit viscous and requires a bit of effort to spread it evenly on the processor by the bundled applicator. Also, it is electrically conductive and should be applied carefully using the bundled spreader or swabs, so that it does not come in contact with the motherboard PCB connections, nearby electronic components, or SMD components to cause a short circuit. This high-performance liquid metal thermal paste is on the expensive side, but for enthusiasts and overclockers, it would not be a matter of much concern because of its top-notch performance. It is available in 1 gram Syringe and can be used to 5 – 6 times. For enthusiasts who want lesser temps and are into overclocking then this is the best thermal paste available on the market right now.
| Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Liquid Metal |
| Thermal Conductivity | 73 W/mk |
| Electrically Conductive | Yes |
| Appearance / Color | Silver |
| Quantity | 1 gram |
| Application | CPU / GPU (for Copper heatsinks only) |
| Performance | Best Performance, has some curing time |
Buy Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Thermal Paste
GEID Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound
[As Good as Arctic Silver 5, Arctic MX-4, and Noctua NT-H1 ]
GC-Extreme Thermal Compound is a high-performance thermal compound from GELID Solutions Ltd., which is a Hong Kong based company and manufacturers of computer case fans, industrial fans, CPU and VGA coolers, thermal compounds, and other accessories. GC-Extreme is a Silver based thermal compound having a thermal conductivity of 8.5 W/mK, which is very good for a non-metal-based thermal compound. The thermal paste is Non-Electrically Conductive, Non-Corrosive, Non-Curing & Non-Toxic.
This thermal compound is white in color and is pretty easy to spread on the components. It can be used on CPU, GPU, Motherboard, and other Chipsets. The performance of this thermal paste is at par with the Arctic Silver 5, Arctic MX-4, and Noctua NT-H1 and has received praise from popular hardware websites such as Techpower Up and Fudzilla.com. The operating temperature range is from -45 to +180 degrees Celsius, which is remarkable. So, if you want to try something other than Artic, Noctua, Thermal Grizzly, or Cooler Master then GC-Extreme will not let you down. It comes with a thermal paste applicator for easy application. Recommended by me.
| GEID GC-Extreme Thermal Compound Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Silver-based |
| Thermal Conductivity | 8.5 W/mK |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | White |
| Quantity | 3.5g |
| Application | CPU, GPU |
| Performance | Excellent (No curing time) |
Buy GEID Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound
Thermaltake TG-7 Thermal Grease
[For normal and basic use]
Thermaltake TG-7 is a carbon-based thermal paste with diamond powder as the main ingredient. It is an average thermal paste that has a thermal conductivity of 3.3 W/mK and is good for normal desktop PCs and laptop applications. It does not conduct electricity and is also non-capacitive. This thermal compound can be applied to both CPU and GPU but if you have a high-end GPU then I would advise you to get something better from brands like Arctic or Noctua mentioned above.
The paste is light grayish in color and it comes with a spreader for easy application onto the CPU or GPU. The working temperature range is -50°C to +250°C which means it can really withstand really high temperatures and has a longer lifespan. It comes in a syringe with a 4gm net quantity. Not the best thermal paste around here but good enough for normal use. Please don’t use it for overclocking purposes.
Note: A higher variant of this thermal paste is available as Thermaltake TG-8 Thermal Grease, having a thermal conductivity of 4.7W/mK. You can check out this variant too from the link given below.
| Thermaltake TG-7 Thermal Grease Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Carbon-based |
| Thermal Conductivity | 3.3 W/m-k |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | Gray |
| Quantity | 4gm in Syringe |
| Application | CPU / GPU |
| Performance | Good, no curing time |
Buy Thermaltake TG-7 Thermal Grease
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Paste
[Great Performance for Non-metal thermal paste]
This is another gem of a thermal paste from Thermal Grizzly. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is a high-performance thermal paste for both CPU and GPU use. This is a hybrid thermal paste that includes nano-aluminum- and zinc oxide particles. It has a thermal conductivity of 12.5 W/mK which is significantly greater than the Arctic Silver 5 and Noctua NT-H1, which are the two most popular thermal compounds in the market. The operating temperature of this thermal paste is -250 °C / +350 °C, which makes it one of the best thermal pastes for both Traditional Overclocking and Sub-Zero Overclocking.
The thermal paste is grayish in color and is electrically non-conductive and also non-capacitive. It is a bit on the expensive side but you will not regret paying the extra bucks because of its amazing performance at both low and high temperatures. It is also a long-lasting thermal paste and has no curing time. Also, it can be applied to both aluminum and copper heatsinks, unlike the Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut liquid metal thermal paste. So, if you are into overclocking and can’t afford the expensive Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut then Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is a perfect choice for you. Highly Recommended by me for Overclocking and Sub-Zero Overclocking.
| Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Hybrid |
| Thermal Conductivity | 12.5 W/mK |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | Gray |
| Quantity | 1 Gram |
| Application | CPU / GPU / Sub-Zero Overclocking |
| Performance | Excellent, No curing time |
Buy Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Paste
Thermalright TF8 Thermal Paste
[High Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Competitor]
Thermalright may not be that popular brand, but it makes high-quality CPU Air Coolers, System Fans, and Thermal Pastes. Here we have a high-quality thermal paste from it in the form of Thermalright TF8. This is a highly conductive thermal paste with thermal conductivity of 13.8 W/M-K, which I think is the best among non-liquid metal-based thermal pastes, and its thermal conductivity is even higher than the highly popular Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (12.5 W/mK), which is considered as the pinnacle of non-metal based thermal pastes.
Thermalright TF8 is a carbon-based thermal paste and is gray in color. It is electrically non-conductive and can be used in temperatures ranging from -250 °C to +380 °C. The thermal paste can be used for CPU, GPU, and for Overclocking, including Sub-zero Overclocking. It has no curing time and it delivers the performance right from the go. It is a little pricier, but offers great performance and is also a bit better than Thermal Grizzly.
| Thermalright TF8 Thermal Paste Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Carbon particle-based |
| Thermal Conductivity | 13.8 W/mK |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | Gray |
| Quantity | 2gm |
| Application | CPU / GPU / Overclocking |
| Performance | Excellent, No curing time |
Buy Thermalright TF8 Thermal Paste
Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut Thermal Grease
[On Par with Arctic MX-4, Arctic Silver 5, Noctua NT-H1]
Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut is a regular thermal paste having a thermal conductivity of 8.5 W/mK. It is a decent thermal paste that contains some metal particles along with other fillers. This thermal paste is good for mainstream PCs, and mid-range gaming PCs and can be applied to both Aluminum and Copper CPU / GPU heatsinks.
The operating temperature for this gray-colored thermal paste is around -150 °C / +200 °C which means it can really withstand high temperatures and is pretty durable in the long run. It comes in a 3.9gm syringe with a dispenser tube-like applicator that attaches to the end of the syringe. This is an electrically non-conductive thermal paste with no cure time. The paste has just the right viscosity and it is pretty easy to apply.
| Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut Specifications | |
| Thermal Paste Type | Regular / Hybrid |
| Thermal Conductivity | 8.5 W/mk |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Appearance / Color | Gray |
| Quantity | 3.9 Grams |
| Application | CPU / GPU |
| Performance | Very Good, no curing time |
Buy Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut Thermal Grease
Other Good Thermal Paste
Here are some more good thermal pastes that have high thermal conductivity.
Best Budget Thermal Paste for CPU
Here are some of the best budget thermal paste that you can use with your processor for both Desktops and Laptops. These are mostly Silicone / Ceramic based thermal paste and offer good performance for the price.
- DEEPCOOL Z3 Thermal Compound
- Cooler Master High Performance Thermal Paste
- Arctic Silver Ceramique Thermal Compound
Final Words
In the end, I would only want to say that you should never ignore the importance of a good thermal paste because it can do wonders to your CPU or GPU temperatures. There are also cheaper and unbranded thermal compounds available online or in the market but you should always stay away from them. The above-mentioned thermal pastes are reliable, trustworthy, and durable, and deliver excellent performance in keeping your processor temperatures in check.
For extreme overclocking, you may want to get metal-based or liquid metal thermal compounds that may cost a little extra. For everything else, carbon-based and hybrid thermal compounds work great and they offer performance nothing less than the expensive metal-based ones. If you have any queries regarding which thermal paste to choose for your CPU or GPU then please ask your questions by leaving a comment below.
(*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!)
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Hi
I’m having Dell Latitude E6530 laptop with Nvidia NVS5200M Graphic card.
When i try to use software Reality Capture it gives me error which is caused by GPU overheating.
Which thermal paste would you recommend me to try fix that problem with?
I suggest you to go for ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste.
Hi there, just yesterday, my good old hors iMac 27″ 2011 died on me. Regarding the symptoms: it is the GPU. That needs a reflowing. I do have a Thermal Compound called: >>amasan T12<<, I believe it is Germany. But after reading your articles , I might change for another one. What would you recommend for a better choice?
Hello, Go for either Arctic MX-4 or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
Hi Akshat, thx a mil 4 the quick replay. After reading you article fully, i put “Thermal Grizzly TG-K-001-RS Kryonaut” on top of my list. ……… But what would be YOUR 1st choice? ………… It also would b gr8 if you could drop some lines regarding the Thermal Paste I mentioned earlier, which is: “amasan T12”? ……………
Best wishes!!
Amasan T12 is a silicone based thermal paste having much lower conductivity of 0.4185 W/mK, and should be avoided at any cost. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is probably the best thermal compound after liquid metal based thermal pastes.
Hi, I’m using a HP 8560W with I7 quad core & NVIDA 2000 and running Resolume live VJ program (very CPU, GPU, and RAM intensive. I run it at dance parties so everything get’s really hot. What would be the best option in this case? Based on the article I’m thinking Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or the Artic MX-4.
Go with the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
Awesome. Thanks, Akshat!
Hi Akshat,
Good article, thanks. Have you done any tests ?
Yes I have tested some personally and researched others.
Hi Akshat
I am planning to AIO cool my gtx 1080ti with a corsair h55. Can I ask what is your suggestion?
Also I have i9 9900k which i am planning to cool with corsair i115. I have not OCed it yet because at stock its already super hot. I will try OCing it after I install the AIO . Which paste could you suggest for both gpu and cpu?
Thanks in advance
How will you cool the memory and VRMs with AIO on GPU? The thermal paste I would suggest is Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
Hi! Thanks for the fast rep. i am planning to use the NZXT G12 .It has another fan aside from the pump itself . But as you have said i kinda doubt it will be enough. Have you seen the G12? Do you think it will be good enough to cool all the parts?
I am also not sure about it.
Hello there. Need an advise. I m using RX 570 with GD900 paste. It gives max temp 78degree on peak. How can i reduce the temperature. Which paste is best and budgeted?
Thanks in advance.
To reduce temperature, make sure you have good airflow inside the case and the GPU chip is making proper contact with the heatsink. The thermal paste that I would recommend is Arctic MX-4. Also, what model of RX 570 are you using and what is your ambient temperature.
Hi Akshat. Can I use Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut thermal paste on a Ryzen 3600 IHS? Would it damage the IHS?
Do you mean over the IHS using the bundled CPU Cooler?
Yes, over the IHS with after market cooler such as be quiet or noctua heatsinks.
You can use it with heatsinks that have copper base because this thermal compound contains Gallium that dissolves aluminum and can cause damage to the heatsink and the processor.
Hi Akshat,
I have an Alienware 15R3, which thermal paste do you recommend?
Go with the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
thank you!!
Hi, been follow your work for a while. Great articles !! (“,)
I’m looking for a i7 4790 on a MB Asus H97M Plus and for my MSI RX 580 Gaming X 8Gb.
Thank you.
What about a surface pro 4?
Hi Akshat Ji, I’m really proud of you.. as a tech blogger your contribution in this AI era..you already suggest me a pc build with Amd Ryzen 9 3900x and Corsair Hydro Series H115i RGB Pro AIO Cooler, few days ago. Now I came to know about a good thermal compound is mandatory for efficient cooling for PC’s. Here I was read your review and I can’t reach a final thought means which thermal paste should I choose for this build ..I need the best one for my build…please suggest a great one. Thank you.
I suggest Arctic MX-4.
Thanks a lot for your quick response 😊
Hello, I have an XFX Radeon RX 570 4 GB, I recently replaced it’s factory thermal paste with a low quality Chinese thermal paste (that 40g 1$ thermal compound tube) and since then my GPU’s temps rose from 67 C average with stress test at 2200 RPM fan speed to an insane 81 C at 3800 RPM fan speed and thermal throttle from 1244 MHz all the way down to 900 MHz, So now I want a thermal paste that can be nearly as good as the factory-applied thermal paste to save me GPU from getting fried…
Get the Arctic MX-4 or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
Hi
Which one is the best? number one
Well, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is one of the best for non-metal paste. Others like Artcic MX-4, Noctua NT-H1 etc. are also very good.
can i use thermal grizzly kryonaut for gtx 1050 and i7 8750h?
Yes, you can. It is one of the best electrically non-conductive thermal pastes for use on CPU and GPU.
Hi friend one question i have one Nvidia 1070ti asus rog strix amd one intel I7 8700 i love play in 4K what thermal paste you recomend me arctic mx-4 or Kryonaut extreme (the new) or the thermal pad grizzly carbonaut? please recomend me the best for low temperatures only one please i can’t decide for one need your help how is the bether?
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut should be enough.
Thank you so much!!!!
Hi I’m planning to build a gaming pc already have the parts picked out and saved cpu i’m going for is Ryzen 9 3900x gpu RTX 2060 super and i’m thinking of putting water cooling on cpu whats a good paste for helping keep temps down and give it best performance?
I suggest Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
Tried 3 of the thermal pastes mentioned here and the only one that did function better than the one that was in the laptop from factory was: Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut.
I live where temp. outside is seldom below 30 degrees Celsius and I do not use air-conditioning
Dude! Very informative article. Thanks!
I have Intel(R) core(TM) 17-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz. what thermal past should I use?
Go for Arctic MX-4
Im just curious and mean no harm by asking but, how come you suggest kryonaut to some people and other arctic mx-4? I’m an enthusiast and was wondering what makes the arctic mx4 better than the kryonaut in certain applications. Is it the longevity factor in the type of equipment being used in for arctic mx-4, and kryonaut for a better performance but shorter lifespan? Or is there another method to your suggestions? I’m always trying to learn something new even if it is as simple as such. Thanks again and appreciate people like you take the time to educate and inform others about the pc space.
Well, Arctic MX-4 is cheaper and has better availability. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut has better thermal conductivity and is preferred for overclocking and demanding applications. Both pastes have no curing time and perform very well. From my experience, Arctic MX-4 lasts longer and also has a longer shelf life.