10 best thermal greases

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Thermal paste is a special heat transfer material that is designed to improve the transfer of high temperatures from the process to the heatsink substrate. Therefore, it is important to select high quality. If the thermal conductivity of the thermal paste is too low, the processor will start to overheat, despite the activity of the cooler. We've compiled a list of the 10 best thermal paste models that are suitable for both gaming and regular computers.

Rating of the best thermal pastes

The best thermal pastes with a low thermal conductivity (up to 5 W / mK)

Noctua NT-H1

Rating: 4.8

Why first place: Durable, good thermal conductivity and low price.

Description: Noctua used several proprietary developments in the NT-H1 thermal paste. Basically, it is a hybrid compound that includes various microparticles for better thermal conductivity and minimal heat resistance.

Therefore, the thermal paste retains its temperature and performance properties for a long time. Quite thick, but due to its good tack, it is easy to apply in thin layers. Thermal paste is packaged in 3.5 ml syringes with a screw cap that prevents the substance from drying out during prolonged storage.

Thermal conductivity of thermal paste – 4.5 W / mK. Suitable for office and home computers, as well as some gaming computers with an overclocked processor.

Advantages

• Sticky consistency;

• Convenient packaging with a screw cap;

• Retains heat-conducting properties for a long time;

disadvantages

• May seem too thick;

• Relatively low peak operating temperature (110 degrees);

• Relatively low recommended operating temperature (90 degrees);

Deepcool Z9

Rating: 4.7

Why the second place: More expensive than the leader of the rating, it has a lower thermal conductivity.

Description: Universal thermal paste with a thermal conductivity of 4 W / mK. Suitable for various computers – home, office, etc. Can also be used in mid-range notebooks.

In the production of Deepcool thermal paste, several proprietary technologies were used, due to which it is distinguished by high plasticity and good durability (retains thermal conductivity for a long time). It dries slowly, which should be taken into account when using.

Packaged in a 3 ml syringe. The kit includes a special spatula for applying thermal paste.

Advantages

• Rich equipment;

• It removes heat well (there is a decrease in the processor temperature by 6-8 degrees) and at the same time retains thermal properties for a long time;

• Convenient to apply;

disadvantages

• Dries up for a long time, incl. on the processor;

• Less stickiness than its predecessor;

• Low fluidity;

Thermalright Chill Factor III

Rating: 4.6

Why third place: Thermal conductivity 3.5 W / mK.

Description: Thermalright Chill Factor III thermal paste uses a proprietary formulation, which implies less silicone oils than analogs. That is why it evaporates more slowly, maintaining optimal thermal conductivity for a long time.

Thermal paste is supplied in a syringe with a capacity of 4 ml. The kit also includes a special card spatula that greatly simplifies the application of a thin layer of the substance to the processor. It is enough to squeeze out some paste, then swipe the card – and it will be evenly spread over the heating chip.

The thermal conductivity of the substance is 3.5 W / mK. This is sufficient for most home and office computers, but other solutions are desirable for gaming configurations or laptops.

Advantages

• Rich equipment;

• Flexible and easy to apply;

• Very easy to apply;

disadvantages

• Application card needs rinsing;

• More expensive than other models in the ranking;

• Must be stored in tightly closed containers;

Zalman ZM-STG2

Rating: 4.6

Why fourth place: Quite expensive, but excellent thermal conductivity.

Description: Zalman ZM-STG2 is one of the best thermal greases on the market. It is able to lower the processor temperature by 10-15 degrees, depending on the cooler used. By the way, Zalman puts it in the package of its mid-range cooling systems.

The thermal conductivity of the thermal paste is 4.1 W / mK. The operating parameters are retained for a long time. Supplied in a 3.5 ml syringe. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not include spatulas or brushes for application.

When choosing, it is worth considering that this thermal paste is often counterfeited. Therefore, there is a risk of 'running into' a fake.

Advantages

• High thermal conductivity;

• Retains properties for a long time;

• High efficiency;

disadvantages

• Poorly applied, as it has a very thick consistency;

• No spatula or application brush included;

• Comparatively expensive

KPT-8

Rating: 4.5

Why fifth place: Ineffective, but economical and versatile.

Description: Thermal paste KPT-8 is a standard for budget and office computers. The thermal conductivity of this interface is 0.65 W / mK, so it is not suitable for multi-core processors with high heat emission.

The main advantage of this thermal paste is its ease of application. In fact, even a spatula is not required for smearing – the ideal consistency, moderately thick and moderately sticky, allows you to place a thin layer of the interface on the processor surface with any object at hand.

In addition, it retains its heat-conducting properties for a long time and dries slowly. Even if the computer is idle for years, the substance does not change its consistency.

Advantages

• Easy to apply;

• The cheapest in the rating;

• Retains its properties for a long time;

disadvantages

• Low thermal conductivity;

• Definitely not suitable for laptops;

• Poorly copes with the removal of high temperatures;

The best thermal pastes with medium conductivity (6 to 10 W / mK)

Gelid GC-Extreme

Rating: 4.9

Why first place: Professional thermal paste with a thermal conductivity of 8.5 W / mK.

Description: One of the most reliable thermal pastes on the market. A specially selected composition maintains the performance of the interface for a long time, retaining its elasticity and does not dry out even under the influence of extremely high temperatures. Also, due to its consistency, it is easy to apply and remove.

Thermal paste is packed in a syringe, the delivery set includes 1 gram of substance. Unfortunately, no spatulas or similar tool was placed in it for application. The capacity of the syringe is enough for laying a thermal interface for 1-2 computers.

With a thermal conductivity of 8.5 W / mK, the thermal grease is suitable for use with gaming processors.

Advantages

• High thermal conductivity;

• Excellent combination of price and quality;

• Retains elasticity for a long time;

disadvantages

• High viscosity, requires care and calmness in application;

• Only 1 gram per syringe;

• Better to warm up before applying;

Arctic Cooling MX-4

Rating: 4.8

Why second place: High thermal conductivity, but unstable when working with high temperatures.

Description: Thermal paste Arctic Cooling MX-4 is designed for solutions with a powerful cooling system. In combination with a powerful cooler, this interface is quite capable of maintaining the temperature of the processor at 40-50 degrees – even for multi-core gaming or overclocked chips.

The thermal conductivity of this thermal paste is 8.5 W / mK. The substance is supplied in a 4 ml syringe. The package bundle is poor – there are no spatulas or cards for application.

Advantages

• High thermal conductivity;

• Reliability;

• Optimum viscosity for application and removal;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for chips operating at constantly high temperatures (video cards, for example);

• Comparatively expensive

• Under thermal loads it delaminates and loses performance;

Glacialtech IceTherm II

Rating: 4.7

Why the third place: Cheap, but the thermal conductivity is slightly lower than the nominal.

Description: Glacialtech IceTherm II thermal paste is suitable for laptops and gaming computers with non-overclocked processors. Its nominal thermal conductivity is about 8.1 W / mK, but the actual value is slightly lower. Therefore, it is able to cool the processor by 10-15 degrees compared to the stock thermal paste that comes with most coolers.

Thermal paste is supplied in a syringe. The amount of substance is 1.5 grams. The syringe is completed with a screw cap, and the scope of delivery also includes a special spatula for applying thermal paste.

An important advantage of thermal paste is a comfortable consistency, liquid enough for application, but not enough for spreading. Does not need polymerization, does not exfoliate at high temperatures.

Advantages

• Does not delaminate on high-temperature chips (for example, on a video card);

• High thermal conductivity, which remains for a long time;

• Good equipment;

disadvantages

• Thermal conductivity does not correspond to the declared one;

• Comparatively expensive for thermal paste with aluminum powder;

• There is little thermal paste in the syringe, enough for 1-2 applications;

The best thermal pastes with a high thermal conductivity (from 10 W / mK)

Coollaboratory Liquid Pro

Rating: 4.9

Why first place: Professional thermal paste based on liquid metal with maximum thermal conductivity.

Description: Coollaboratory Liquid Pro thermal paste is a professional solution, since it has a maximum thermal conductivity in the rating of 80 W / mK. This is due to the unique composition of the substance. Thermal paste is made on the basis of liquid metal without solid inclusions and silicone oils, due to which it not only has the maximum possible thermal conductivity, but also maximum durability.

Thermal paste retains its performance properties for several years even under constant exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, it is suitable for use in high-performance laptops, video cards, overclocked processors and liquid-cooled systems.

The package includes a syringe with 1 g of thermal paste, as well as special cotton swabs and a sponge for applying the substance.

Advantages

• Maximum thermal conductivity;

• Rich equipment;

• Retains thermal and operational qualities for a long time;

disadvantages

• Difficult to apply;

• Chemically aggressive. Only suitable for radiators with copper base plate. Reacts with aluminum;

• Electrical conductivity;

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

Rating: 4.8

Why second place: Less thermal conductivity than the previous model, but also more ease of use.

Description: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is a traditional thermal paste based on silicone oils and metal particles. However, the special composition of this substance provides a high thermal conductivity of 12.5 W / mK and good durability. Thermal grease retains its thermal and performance properties even several years after use.

Therefore, it is suitable for gaming computers, including systems with an overclocked processor and liquid cooling, as well as high-performance laptops and video cards. Thermal paste is supplied in syringes with a capacity of 1 and 5 grams, a plastic spatula is always included in the kit for neat distribution of the substance over the surface of the processor.

Advantages

• Thermal conductivity. The highest in the segment of metal-silicone thermal interfaces;

• Easy to apply and remove;

• Suitable for overclocked processors and video cards, including 'scalped' ones;

disadvantages

• Dries quickly in the air, including in open tubes;

• Expensive (as for metal-silicone thermal interfaces);

• The syringe tip is not screwed;

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.