Last Updated on May 15, 2022
Best thermal paste 2021: Thermal paste is that compound which helps in filling up the gap between the CPU and the custom cooler. Most of us would not be so conversant about this particular compound, but it is definitely one of the most important components. When the processor of a computer does it work, it automatically gets heated.
The more the workload is, the faster the processor gets heated. However, for the efficient running of the processor, we need to install the custom cooler or the heatsink that aids a lot in keeping the processor cool.
It is necessary to keep the CPU cool when it gets heated due to excessive work pressure, as it is directly going to impact the performance of the computer. The heatsink is usually placed on the top the CPU to absorb the heat that is produced by the processor when the machine is running.
Nevertheless, most often it is seen, that due to minute gaps that is left in between the CPU and the heatsink, the later cannot transmit the heat properly. As a result, the processor gets heated after a point of time and the machine gets slower and in the long run, it gets damaged.
Best thermal compounds can be used to deal with this issue. Such compounds help in filling in the gap between the heatsink and the processor and thereby aids in transmitting the heat to the cooler or heatsink properly and as a result, the processor runs well and delivers work at a faster pace.
Though thermal paste must be used in all computers, this is absolutely needed in such machines in which complex works are done like photo or video edit, gaming, 3D animation or any other such complex work. Therefore, if you want data to be processed by your computer or laptop at a lightning speed, then using the best thermal paste is absolutely needed. It is definitely going to enhance the performance of your gadget.
Those who are new in this business might find it hard to find out the best thermal paste that will enhance the performance and longevity of their computer. So we researched the most popular thermal paste based on the recommendation of the pro hardware professional who had been associated with this industry for a long time.
Based on their recommendation, we have reviewed some of the best thermal paste that is available in the market now. Here is the list that is going to help you to find the one most suitable for you.
Best Thermal Paste Reviews 2021
1. Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
Thermal Grizzly is a top-notch German company which has been researching and developing chemical compounds that can bridge the gap between the processor and heatsink, thereby increasing the performance as well as the life of the processor. Amongst the range of products offered by Thermal Grizzly, the Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Liquid Metal Thermal Paste is one of the best.
It is perfectly suitable for a computer that calls for maximum efficiency. It is a liquid metal eutectic compound made out of indium, tin, and gallium and has excellent heat transferring capability. But this thermal paste is perfectly suitable for veteran professionals.
Therefore, if you are a newbie in this field, you better avoid it because even if a little bit of metallic thermal paste spills on the motherboard, it is going to damage it (as the metal compound can conduct electricity along with heat and it is going to be a disaster for the motherboard).
This thermal paste is perfectly suitable for computers where the processor due to its heavy workload dissipates above 8-degree centigrade and thus is very efficient. It has a thermal conductivity of 73 W/ mK and comes in a 1gm syringe pack for easy use.
Negative: This thermal paste cannot be used if the heatsink is made of aluminum. So be extra cautious before investing in it as it is pricey in comparison to other products available in the market.
- A convenient syringe makes this Liquid Metal very easy to apply and goes exactly where it should be: on the CPU Cooler, GPU Cooling or heat dissipation rib plates
2. Arctic Silver 5
Arctic Silver is another renowned name in the thermal ‘paste sector. One of its top-selling products since the last two decades is Arctic Silver 5 and it is still marked as a bestseller in the top online shopping platforms like Amazon. That being said, it is obvious that the manufacturers have lived up to the expectations of the users and that is the sole reason why it continues to be the best.
It is a ceramic based thermal paste and thus suitable for the beginners as well as the veterans. Being a ceramic compound it does not conduct electricity. And so the newbies need not be too cautious. Minor spills from these thermal pastes would not hurt. But should try and avoid spilling the thermal paste on the motherboard altogether as the thermal paste has the capacity to conduct a little amount of electricity in contact with metal compounds.
As we all know silver is the best conductor of heat and electricity and Arctic silver is made out of 99.9% silver of three different kinds to ensure maximum contact between the processor and cooler and transfer heat generated by the processor smoothly. Apart from silver it also contains particles of zinc oxide, boron nitride, and aluminum oxide to enhance the thermal paste’s performance in the long run.
Negative: Though it is not difficult to apply this compound, you need to pay a little more attention while heating it. Make sure not even a single drop of water comes in touch with the thermal paste. And this thermal paste takes a little more time to settle down and start doing its work.
3. Gelid Solutions GC Extreme: Editor Choice Thermal Paste
Gelid Solutions is comparative a new name in the thermal paste niche, but with its high-end product lineup, it has been able to create a niche for itself. One of its latest products is the Gelid Solutions GC Extreme Thermal Paste which has posed a tough face up to all the market leaders with their advanced innovative product. This thermal paste has been highly recommended by a professional who is in the computer set up the business for a long time.
This thermal paste is nonconductive to electricity. So it can be used by the novice as well as experts as accidentals spills would not result in damaging the motherboard altogether. Moreover, this best thermal paste is comparatively thinner to the other variants available in the market right now.
Thus the thermal paste can be spread easily using your finger if you not comfortable with any of the methods. This liquid does not stick to fingers so you can comfortably spread it in a thin layer.
This compound has been tested in the lab by pros along with other bestselling thermal pastes, and most of the pros accepted the fact that GC Extreme’s performance was much better than the other thermal pastes. In the lab test, there have been five to ten degree Celsius difference when both are tested under the same circumstances in idle and working condition. It definitely lives up to its name i.e. extreme with respect to temperature drop.
Negative: It is expensive in comparison to the other thermal paste available in the market right now, but it is going to last much longer and enhance the performance of the processor in the long run. So this thermal paste is definitely worth the price.
- CREATED FOR EXTREME APPLICATIONS: GC-Extreme Thermal Compound achieves the best thermal conductivity of your CPU or VGA card.
4. Artic MX 4
Arctic Cooling is a company that started from Switzerland and gradually in the course of time all across the globe. This has been possible because the manufacturers believe in constantly upgrading their range of products with cutting edge technology. One of its flagship products is Arctic MX 4 which is the successor of MX 2. MX 2 has been widely accepted and loved by the IT professionals and it’s the latest addition MX 4 is no less than that.
MX 4 is one of the best thermal compounds that is made of carbon, which is a very good conductor in some forms, not all. Thus it can dispel the heat produced by the processor to the heatsink quickly. Thus this paste is ideal for computers with a heavy workload. This paste does not have any metals and thus does not conduct electricity.
Therefore, it is safe for beginners as well as experts. The density and viscosity of MX 4 are perfect for evenly spreading it before placing the heatsink.
When this best thermal paste was tested in an idle and loaded condition, the results were quite impressive. It could maintain a temperature that is equivalent to all the other premium products available right now. And the best part is by using MX 4 you get almost the same results at a much cheaper price. So it is definitely a bang for your bucks. Moreover, since this paste is not made of metals, it is going to last much longer in comparison to other metal-based compounds.
Negative: Make sure you apply it in the right way and right quantity for the best performance.
- QUALITY: The design of our thermal paste packagings has changed several times, the formula of the composition has remained unchanged, so our MX pastes have stood for high quality
5. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut – Thermal Conductivity of 12.5 W/mK
Often referred to as the œultimate thermal compound, manufacturers claim that grease is perfectly suitable for the most challenging applications. The compound of this paste contains minute nano-aluminum and zinc oxide that ensures that the paste has a longer life. Moreover, these compounds help in creating a uniform platform for the heatsink to be placed on the processor. It has a thermal conductivity of 12.5 W/mK and it is a popular choice amongst those whose workload is demanding.
Negative: Overall this is a great product, which has hardly any negative aspect.
- EXTREME HEAT CONDUCTIVITY - With an exceptional thermal conductivity of 12.5W, Kryonaut is perfect for even the most demanding congurations and can be used in industrial cooling systems
6. Noctua NT
Noctua arose out of a partnership between an Austrian and Taiwanese company and later on a scientific institute that does research work on heat transmission also joined hands. This ensures that all its products are developed after thorough research and experimentation. This venture has resulted in producing the best thermal compounds based on modern technology.
Noctua NT-H1 was tested by the professionals along with other bestsellers like the Arctic Silver 5. Both have almost identical results in the idle condition and in extreme workload NT –H1 temperature reading was one degree lower in comparison to the other one. Thus proving that in extreme condition Noctua NT – H1 can perform very well.
Another, positive aspect of using this compound is that after applying it, user need not wait for a long time to get it settled in between the processor and the heatsink. It can be applied very easily and is best suited for beginners. It is a ceramic thermal paste and thus does not conduct electricity.
Negative: It is a bit expensive when compared with other products of the same standard.
- Renowned premium-grade thermal compound for optimal heat-transfer from the CPU or GPU to the heatsink; more than 150 awards and recommendations
7. Tuniq TX 4
Another product that has been given thumbs up by the veteran IT professionals is Tuniq’s TX 4. Tuniq believes in improvising their line of products based on the needs of the consumers as well as with cutting edge technology. Thus TX 4 was a successor of TX 3, and we can definitely say that the successor came with loads of improvisation in its formula for better performance. It has a thermal conductivity rating of 6.53 W/Mk which is better than many of the bestseller.
IT professionals have tested this grease along with other bestsellers, and the results have shown that both in the idle and loaded condition the processor using TX 4 have a lower temperature. Though the temperature difference is just one to two degrees, in the long run, this is definitely going to have an impact on the performance of the processor.
This compound is non-conductive to electricity, so good for beginners as well. It performs very efficiently even under very high pressure.
Negative: Though the manufacturer claims that this compound can be applied very easily, but when the test was conducted it was found that the paste is pretty thick and hard. So it is difficult to apply it on the CPU. And at the same time, it is expensive.
8. IC Diamond 24 Carat
Innovation Cooling is known for producing the best thermal pastes with 92% micro components of synthetic diamonds. As we all know diamonds are the best conductors of heat and thus Innovation Cooling uses this in their paste. These synthetic diamonds have a conductivity of 2000 to 2500 W/mK which is many times more than the normal compounds. And at the same time, it does not conduct electricity so there are no chances of short circuits in the motherboard.
Unlike many compounds, the curing time of this paste is only two to three hours. So users need not wait for two weeks after applying to attain its best performance. When compared with other thermal paste, this compound did not show any temperature difference in the idle condition.
But in the processor was loaded with a lot of work, then the IC Diamond had a much lower temperature, almost seven to eight-degree difference was shown.
Negative: The paste is thick, so users might find it difficult to apply. And its price is almost three times more than the other pastes.
- SUPERIOR THERMAL PERFORMANCE- Engineered and made by 3M corporation to meet OEM specifications for the best combination of maximum performance and durability and is packaged by Innovation Cooling for retail sale
9. Cooler Master High Performance Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
Cooler Master is a well-known brand producing coolers, PC chassis, and other things. Lately, it has extended its business into the thermal compound sector and earned quite a name at a short span of time. It is a metal-based compound which contains certain metallic oxides, which are good at transmitting heat from the processor to the heatsink.
This one is a good entry level compound that is available at an affordable price. Its performance is on par with all the ceramic-based thermal compounds. Therefore, this thermal paste would not be recommended if you have a too demanding workload. But for normal light usage, this is definitely a great buy. Moreover, it is very easy to apply the paste. It comes in a gluey form and can be uniformly applied using an applicator.
Negative: There is much to highlight the negative points of this compound, excepting that professionals with demanding applications might not find it suitable.
- Suitable for CPU, chipsets on Mainboard, VGA card, etc
10. Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra Liquid Metal Thermal Pastes
Another good metal-based thermal paste that definitely deserves to be in the best thermal paste 2021 list is the Coollaboratory Ultra Liquid Metal Thermal Paste. This compound is made up of a variety of metals starting from zinc, rhodium, silver, gallium, indium, and bismuth.
All these metals are good conductors are they are combined together to form a eutectic mixture that is great at transmitting heat produced by the processor. When this compound was tested along with other best thermal pastes it was seen that in the machines using Liquid Ultra there was a temperature drop of 8 to 10-degree centigrade which is definitely brilliant.
Since this is a metal-based compound, you need to extra careful while applying it, as a minute spill can result in short circuit damaging the motherboard.
Negative: Firstly, you cannot use this with an aluminum heatsink. If you are using this compound, then make sure to use either a copper or a silver heatsink. Secondly, the application process of this compound is tiresome, you need to follow certain steps to apply it and be very cautious while doing it.
Thirdly it is expensive. But all being said, it is still highly recommended by the pros because of its superb performance.
- Made 100% from Metal
Best Thermal Pastes 2022: Buying Guide
When a plethora of best options is present before us, we tend to get confused which one to opt for. Therefore, you should consider several factors before buying the best CPU thermal paste in 2021.
Does your computer overclock?
The first and foremost thing to consider is the workload of your computer. Does it overclock? Or you do very nominal work on it. If you have a demanding workload, then you need to use the best thermal paste to make sure that your system does not heat up when used extensively. Or else there are chances for the system to crash when the processor is producing too much heat.
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Applying method
Just buying the best and most expensive paste is not going to solve your problem at all. You have to make sure that you have applied it in the correct manner and amount so that heat can get transmitted to the cooler.
Type of paste
There are basically two kinds of thermal compounds
- conductive
- non-conductive
The conductive pastes are composed of metals. The nonconductive ones are made up of non-metals like silicone and zinc. While, the conductive ones are better performers, but users need to extra cautious while applying it because if the slightest amount of it spills into the motherboard it can cause short circuit thereby damaging the motherboard.
On the other hand, with non-conductive paste users need not worry about such things. So, the non-conductive ones are recommended for the beginners.
How to apply thermal pastes to CPU?
thermal paste is a crucial component in keeping your computer cool. It is a substance that is applied to the surface of a CPU or GPU in order to create better contact and thermal conductivity between the two. This helps to transfer heat away from the components and into the surrounding air more effectively.
Applying thermal paste may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually quite simple. First, remove any existing thermal paste from the surface of the CPU or GPU. Next, apply a small amount of thermal paste to the center of the component. Be sure to use an even layer that is not too thick or too thin.
Finally, use a spreading tool to spread the thermal paste over the entire surface of the component. Allow the thermal paste to set for at least 30 minutes before turning on the computer. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your computer stays cool and runs smoothly.
Vertical Line Method
As suggested in the name itself, all you need to do is take a small pinch of the taste and apply it on the CPU in a single vertical line. This way the whole of the CPU can be filled.
Pea Method
Apply a pea-sized paste on the IHS and thereafter mount the heatsink on top of it. This is the most popular method amongst all.
Circular Method
In this method, you need to place the thermal liquid in a circular motion on the IHS. But be careful. A uniform thin layer of the compound should be placed on the IHS.
Alternatives to Thermal Pastes
Thermal pastes are essential for keeping your computer cool. They help to fill in the gaps between your CPU and heatsink, and they also help to conduct heat away from your CPU. However, thermal pastes can be expensive, and they can also be difficult to apply. As a result, many people are looking for thermal paste alternatives.
Some common thermal paste alternatives include thermal pads, thermal grease, and thermal adhesive tapes. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
Thermal pads are often the easiest to apply, but they don’t always provide the best thermal conductivity. Thermal grease is more effective at conducting heat, but thermal grease can be messy to apply. Thermal adhesive tapes are somewhere in between, offering good thermal conductivity while being relatively easy to apply.
However, they are not as effective as thermal paste in terms of thermal conductivity, so they may not be the best option for high-performance applications. Another option is to use liquid metal. This is an excellent thermal conductor, but it can be difficult to apply and can cause damage to sensitive components if not used correctly.
Finally, you can try using alternative materials such as carbon nanotubes or diamond powder. These materials have extremely high thermal conductivity, but they are also very expensive and may not be suitable for all applications.
Some Benefits of Thermal Pastes
Applying thermal paste to a CPU can help to improve its thermal conductivity, which in turn can help to improve its cooling performance. Thermal paste is often made from metal oxides or other materials that are good at conducting heat.
When applied correctly, thermal paste can help to fill in any voids or irregularities between the surface of the CPU and the heat sink, resulting in better contact and improved thermal conductivity. In addition, thermal paste can help to fill in any gaps that may be present between the heat sink and the CPU.
By improving the thermal conductivity of the contact between the CPU and the heat sink, thermal paste can help to improve the overall cooling performance of a CPU. As a result, it is an important component for any PC that is overclocked or used for gaming.
Thermal paste is a thermal interface material, often used to fill the gaps and inconsistencies of thermal contact between heat sinks and CPUs or GPUs. Many builders consider thermal paste to be an essential part of any PC build, as it can help improve thermal transfer and prevent overheating.
While there are many different types of thermal paste available on the market, they all serve the same basic purpose: to improve thermal conductivity between two surfaces. In most cases, thermal paste is applied to the surface of a CPU or GPU before a heat sink is mounted.
This helps to ensure that there is good contact between the heat sink and the device, allowing for better heat transfer. In some cases, thermal paste can also be used to fill in gaps or irregularities in the surface of a heat sink. Thermal paste can be purchased from most computer stores or online retailers.
It is important to choose the right type of thermal paste for your needs, as different materials have different thermal conductivity properties. Applying too much thermal paste can also result in poor thermal contact, so it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
When used correctly, thermal paste can help improve the cooling performance of your PC and prevent overheating.
Conclusion
A plethora of options are available for a different kind of use and all of them are equally capable. So, jot down your priorities and then select the best thermal paste 2021 suit your purpose to run your computer for a long time without compromising on its performance level.