In order for your desktop PC to perform its task optimally, a PC thermal paste should be applied between the fan tray and the processor. This solution is also known as thermal interface material (TIM), grease or thermal gel. It prevents the processor from overheating and therefore preserves its performance. To make the right choice, check out our guide to the best thermal pastes for this year.
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Our selection
"The Noctua NT-H1 is a very efficient product and is used by many professionals. Easy to use, it allows a good heat dissipation for temperatures…"
"With good conductivity and viscosity, Cooler Master IC-Value V1 manages to rank among the best thermal PC pastes. It is very easy to apply."
"For CPU cooling, graphics card cooling and the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is at the top of the chart due to its high thermal conductivity of…"
"Among the best thermal pastes for PC, you will surely find a range from the Arctic brand. Here we have chosen the Arctic MX-2, with…"
The Noctua NT-H1 is a very efficient product and is used by many professionals. Easy to use, it allows a good heat dissipation for temperatures under control.
7,12 £ on AmazonCompeting directly with the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, the Noctua NT-H1 performs beyond expectation even against the performance of the Arctic Silver 5. Easy to apply, spread, and long lasting, up to 5 years, this PC thermal paste is a reference for geeks. Noctua is a hybrid blend of different components that offers excellent heat dissipation with increased efficiency when the CPU is pressurized.
Once opened, this PC thermal paste has a lifespan of at least 3 years. Sold in a 3.5g format, the NT-H1 will serve you for a long time since you only need to apply a dab on top of your CPU. Conveniently, it doesn't require any application time after application and it's a material that doesn't conduct electricity: safety first. Finally, it is a product that is easy to clean, few thermal pastes on sale can say the same!
With good conductivity and viscosity, Cooler Master IC-Value V1 manages to rank among the best thermal PC pastes. It is very easy to apply.
2,87 £ on AmazonIf your budget is tight since you have just invested heavily in a high performance processor, now is the time to lighten your expenses by opting for a reliable and affordable product. Sometimes it's hard to find a good compromise with limited means. Luckily for you, there's Cooler Master IC-Value V1, a remarkably effective thermal paste for decent heat exchange.
The viscosity of Cooler Master IC-Value V1 is its main advantage, which makes this thermal paste relatively easy to apply. Its composition properly meets the requirements of traditional CPU cooling. The device comes with a cleaning cloth to quickly get rid of unnecessary excess.
For CPU cooling, graphics card cooling and the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is at the top of the chart due to its high thermal conductivity of around 12.5 W/mk. Perfect for the most enthusiastic overclockers!
23,96 £ on LDLCThis is the ultimate ally for geeks with high-end hardware that requires excellent temperature control when overlocking. The Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut provides sensational performance thanks to its high thermal conductivity of 12.5 K/mk. Versatile, it is also suitable for consoles or GPUs to regain the performance of yesteryear. This totally resistant product does not harden and does not harm any component.
Its unique structure does not dry out even at temperatures of 80°C and its effectiveness is palpable from its first use. Computer equipment will breathe easier with this excellent thermal paste for a totally cool PC tower.
Among the best thermal pastes for PC, you will surely find a range from the Arctic brand. Here we have chosen the Arctic MX-2, with excellent performance.
6,36 £ on LDLCThe Arctic MX-2 remains quite affordable among many products of its kind. Its thermal conductivity of 5.6 W/mK, although not the highest in this comparison, is still absolutely correct. The formula of carbon microparticles results in a high thermal conductivity, which is conducive to the dissipation of heat from the processors.
This good thermal paste can be used for CPU and GPU cooling and even other applications between semiconductor components and heat sinks. It is safe to use, with no risk of short-circuiting. On the contrary, it increases the protection on CPU and VGA boards.
Any specific needs?
The best PC thermal paste for processor in 2021
The best PC thermal paste for entry-level processor
The best PC thermal paste for high-end processor
The thermal paste with excellent performance
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT SELECTION | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Noctua NT-H1
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Cooler Master IC-Value V1
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Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
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Arctic MX-2
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The Noctua NT-H1 is a very efficient product and is used by many professionals. Easy to use, it allows a good heat dissipation for temperatures under control.
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With good conductivity and viscosity, Cooler Master IC-Value V1 manages to rank among the best thermal PC pastes. It is very easy to apply.
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For CPU cooling, graphics card cooling and the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is at the top of the chart due to its high thermal conductivity of around 12.5 W/mk. Perfect for the most enthusiastic overclockers!
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Among the best thermal pastes for PC, you will surely find a range from the Arctic brand. Here we have chosen the Arctic MX-2, with excellent performance.
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Thermal conductivity
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3.9 W/mK
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1.85 W/mK
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12.5 W/mK
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5.6 W/mK
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Container
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3.5 g paste
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4.6 g paste
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5.55 g paste
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8 g paste
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Longevity
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5 years
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Not mentioned
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8 years
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8 years
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Application
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Particularity
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Non-electrically conductive and non-corrosive
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Viscosity appreciated
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Remarkable strength and stability
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Perfect consistency for easy application
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It is not surprising that thermal conductivity is the main criterion for choosing a thermal grease. This is usually indicated on the packaging of the paste, expressed in W/mK. This conductivity depends mainly on the materials used in the design of the thermal gel. These often include components such as zinc oxide and silicone. But to these elements can be added others, such as carbon, ceramic, metals like silver and aluminum, and even precious stones like diamonds. The products in our selection by using the right materials offer you better thermal conductivity.
The consistency of the thermal paste should also be taken into account. The reason is simple: the higher the viscosity of the product, the easier it will be to apply. Also, you will find liquid pastes that will easily fill any irregularities in the processor. Others will be less flexible and will need to be heated to be spread evenly.
People who have already changed their processor know: the accessories that come with the thermal paste are very useful. In this case, it will be worthwhile to use the greases, which come with cleaning wipes and a mini spatula that will facilitate spreading. It should be noted that the supplied wipes are pre-soaked with a cleaning solution specially developed to remove the remaining thermal paste on the CPU and under the cooler.
Difficult to
define exactly how long a thermal grease
will last.
Indeed, some CPU or GPU users can enjoy a thermal paste for more than 5 years, while others with exactly the same product start having problems after only 1 year of use. If you have a good cooler and a latest generation processor and you don't push your cooling system to the limit often, the thermal gel should last longer. In any case, it is recommended to read reviews from different customers which will give you an idea of how long a thermal paste will last.
There is no difference between thermal greases used on two types of processors, CPUs or GPUs. In other words, you can use the same product for both without worry. However, the only noticeable difference is the disassembly. Before you can apply the thermal gel to the GPU, you will need to disconnect the graphics card from the motherboard. Next, you'll need to unscrew the heat sink from the graphics card to access its processor, which is quite similar to the technique used on the CPU.
Remember: without thermal paste, your processor may overheat. This will considerably shorten its lifespan!
If you choose to use a heatsink other than the AMD or Intel reference models, you must first and foremost dab the processor with thermal paste if it is not present.
It is important to note that the thermal paste helps fill the surface of the microprocessor as well as the base of the heatsink to ensure optimal thermal conduction between the processor and the cooler. A layer of thermal paste that is too thick will have the opposite effect: it will insulate, not conduct, and the processor may overheat as a result.
To fill in the micro gaps, apply only a dab of thermal paste to the center of the CPU, which is approximately the size of a pea or a grain of rice, depending on the size of the processor. The heat from this area and the pressure generated by the heatsink mounting system will be sufficient to distribute the paste evenly.
The use of thermal paste not only cools the processor, but also prevents it from overheating. Overheating leads to performance degradation, deceleration and even failure.
Here are the different types of thermal paste that are available on the market.
Liquid paste is not electrically conductive. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It indicates that it stores electrical energy. Given the other ingredients in the thermal paste, the charge from it can't go anywhere. Being liquid, it is easy to apply. Its texture is more viscous than that of the metal paste. It is therefore easy to add a small amount to the center of your processor. The latter has a lower thermal conductivity (measured in W/mk). Finally, it is compatible with aluminum heat sinks and any application.
Metal paste contains metal particles. Silver is the most commonly used component. Yet, it makes the application of grease quite difficult. The same is true for aluminum. On the other hand, these metals offer excellent thermal conductivity, which results in lower temperatures. You still need to be careful, though, because the fluidity of the paste can spill onto the circuitry of your motherboard, and this will damage your machine. So apply a small amount of this grease to the back of your processor, but never overdo it.
Carbon paste is a thermal paste made of carbon particles. It is easier to apply than a metal-based grease. Some users have even claimed that this paste has better conductivity than silver or aluminum paste. This ingredient can be mixed with silicone to achieve excellent heat dissipation. Generally, this preparation is intended for one or more applications. And it is applied to the processor before installing the CPU fan.
During the application of the thermal paste, the important thing is that it does not overflow from the socket!
Thermal paste is very good at optimizing heat transfer between the IHS and the base of your cooling system, whether it's an LN2 cup, radiator or waterblock. It provides good cold resistance and avoids "cracking" problems. Simply put, a traditional thermal paste or one that is not signed by a good brand, will tend to freeze, congeal when the temperature drops, and then lose all its properties.
You can use thermal pad instead of thermal paste. It has a very good thermal conductivity and can withstand temperatures of about -250 to 150 °C. Another advantage is that it can be reused as it does not tend to dry out! Please note, however, that the pad is made of carbon fibre and is an electrical conductor. In most cases, it is necessary to take care that it does not come into contact with certain resistances present, for example around the GPU.
Generally, thermal paste does better in the temperature ranges of use. Also, it is the cheapest solution, so we highly recommend it!
Remove the old thermal paste before applying the new one
Use isopropyl alcohol to clean up traces of the old thermal paste. Make sure the solution does not contain acetone or it may damage the plastic connectors.
Avoid nail polish remover
Some
people use nail polish remover to remove old thermal paste. This product obviously cleans well, but it contains acetone so after three applications it will severely damage the PCB varnish as well as the plastic connectors.
Cleaning the cooler
It
is important to clean the cooler or heat sink before applying the thermal paste. To do this, pour a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a "soft" paper towel and gently wipe the device.
Good gestures before applying the paste
Before
applying the paste to the processor, do a final check of this equipment for any traces of used thermal grease. If there is any, feel free to clean the surface again with isopropyl alcohol. Then follow the step-by-step installation instructions, but before you do, make sure you had the necessary tools on hand.
Do not distribute the dough by hand
You
may be tempted to spread the thermal paste on the processor yourself. Instead, we recommend that you let the base plate or device attaching to the IHS spread the grease. Improper manual application can cause air bubbles to form in the paste, which will affect thermal conductivity.
The best PC thermal paste for your processor depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find the best products available.
This is a relatively greyish substance that should be applied to the processor before a cooler is installed. This allows the heat from the IHS processor to be transferred efficiently to the heatsink base plate or water block.
Reusing the paste can lead to the formation of air bubbles. It is therefore preferable to opt for a single-use solution.
To make sure the paste is already applied, check the bottom side of the baseplate or waterblock that is attached to the processor. If you already have the silver insert on your processor, you do not need to add paste.
The base plate is the metal base of the air cooler, which is attached to the IHS processor. This design allows heat to be transferred by convection to the fins of the radiator, where it can then be redistributed by the fan.
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