Top 10 Best Thermal Pastes

Thermal paste is a viscous plastic substance that fills in small irregularities in contacting surfaces, one of which heats up, and the other removes this heat to the surrounding space.

When applying thermal paste, it is very important to ensure that the layer formed is as small as possible, since an excessive amount of substance will create certain problems with heat dissipation, which adversely affect the performance of the graphics or central processor. It is also important to ensure that the thermal grease does not change its properties with temperature changes or over time, during its service life.

The best thermal pastes with a low degree of thermal conductivity

3 KPT-8

KPT-8 is the most budgetary version of thermal paste, which has low thermal conductivity (0.85 W / mK), but can withstand heating up to +180 degrees Celsius. Its use is advisable only in the case of a weak computer serving to perform any non-resource-intensive operations (not requiring overclocking of a video card and a central processor).

If you are the owner of a full-fledged gaming station, then the use of KPT-8 can cause serious problems with heat exchange processes (with good acceleration of the filling) and an emergency shutdown of the computer after overheating.

Advantages:

• well suited for servicing low-power office computers;
• low cost;
• acceptable temperature indicators (loses its properties at +180 degrees Celsius).

Disadvantages:

• practically "zero" heat transfer;
• viscous, sticky consistency.

2 Zalman ZM-STG2

Zalman is a very popular manufacturer of PC cooling systems. The company produces high-quality but rather expensive coolers and radiators. You can say the same about ZM-STG2 thermal paste. Price for a standard 3.5 gr. the syringe is approximately equal to 420-450 rubles. Expensive for a thermal conductivity of 4.1 W / mK. Operating temperatures are not affected either: from -40 to +150. Although, most users, incl. for owners of entry-level gaming computers or laptops, that's enough. In addition, extensive tests indicate that the thermal paste performs its task with a bang, showing even slightly lower (by 0.1-0.5 degrees) temperatures than the leader.

Before buying, be sure to check the country of production: reviews and tests claim that the difference between the Korean and Chinese versions can be up to 20 degrees in favor of the former. Also note the low "stickiness" of thermal paste, which makes it difficult to apply to the surface of a processor or video card.

Advantages:

• Good performance in real tests
• excellent quality

Disadvantages:

• Poor results from China-made thermal paste
• Difficulties in application may arise.

1 DEEPCOOL Z9

A large manufacturer of computer coolers and fan components simply cannot do without creating a unique thermal paste that perfectly complements its main product. In the case of DEEPCOOL Z9, such a comment looks acceptable - the developer really produced heat-conducting paste for the needs of its own cooling systems. Thanks to its special composition, the Z9 can withstand temperatures up to +200 degrees Celsius, which makes it suitable for use in powerful assemblies. Alas, the thermal conductivity parameter is not always able to support such a gust - 4 W / mK may be too small to ensure the peak acceleration of the filling.

Advantages:

• high temperature indicator (from -60 to +200 degrees Celsius);
• attractive price;
• good level of thermal conductivity.

Disadvantages:

• there are some difficulties in application due to the consistency of the paste.

The best thermal pastes of medium thermal conductivity

4 Glacialtech IceTherm II

Thermal paste that leaves an exceptionally ambiguous feeling from the application. On the one hand, the thermal conductivity value of 8.1 W / mK looks very promising, allowing the use of Glacialtech IceTherm II with a powerful filling.And everything would be fine, but the operating temperature puts a huge cross on the prospects for using thermal paste in productive computers. Heating up to +100 degrees Celsius, the composition loses all useful properties.

One Glacialtech IceTherm II syringe contains 1.5 grams of thermal paste. Such a small dosage is associated with one not very beneficial property: when interacting with air, the paste begins to thicken, so the manufacturer strongly recommends using it all at once.

Advantages:

• good thermal conductivity;
• easy to apply due to its good consistency;
• economical packaging.

Disadvantages:

• small operating temperature range;
• a few days after opening, the thermal paste changes its consistency.

3 Gelid GC-Extreme

Third generation thermal interface prepared by Gelid with high heat dissipation efficiency. The thermal conductivity of the composition is 8.5 W / mK, which necessitates the use of thermal paste with advanced systems, where there is an urgent need for proper heat transfer. Thermal paste is supplied in small syringes containing 1 and 3.5 grams, as well as in special jars of 10 grams. Moreover, the set always contains a special paddle, which looks quite appropriate - Gelid GC-Extreme has a high viscosity, and therefore application without special equipment becomes problematic. Before applying, the manufacturer strongly recommends heating the thermal paste to 40 degrees Celsius.

Advantages:

• good heat transfer quality;
• the presence of several types of packaging;
• Supplied with a spatula for easy application.

Disadvantages:

• intricate application;
• high price.

2 Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut

Most manufacturers in this rating work in a fairly narrow area of ​​cooling systems. But Thermal Grizzly, a young German company, specializes exclusively in thermal interfaces, which has made it possible to achieve excellent results. Aeronaut is the "youngest" paste in the manufacturer's line. The declared thermal conductivity is "only" 8.5 W / mK, which is comparable to most competitors. The electrical conductivity is zero - we have a dielectric in front of us - which means that if you apply it inaccurately, you do not risk short-circuiting anything. The declared operating temperatures are pleasing: from - 150 to +200 OC. In ordinary life, such stamina is not required, but it is good that, for example, when delivered by plane, the paste will not lose its properties.

In practice, the Aeronaut has shown itself to be excellent. In tests, the processor temperature is even lower than that of the leader of the rating. Let it be 0.2-0.3 degrees. The pluses also include the ease of application - the thermal paste is quite liquid, and the kit includes a convenient spatula for even distribution. Of the minuses - the cost: for good performance you will have to pay 15-20%.

Advantages:

• Excellent performance
• Dielectric
• Convenient to apply

Disadvantages:

• The cost is above average.

1 Arctic Cooling MX-4

Swiss-made thermal paste, very popular in the domestic Russian retail market. Service companies and private workshops often turn to Arctic Cooling MX-4, as the composition corresponds to a high level of quality. Its main advantage lies in its impeccable consistency - moderately liquid for easy application and moderately viscous for fixing on the treated surface.

As for the operational properties, there is a good combination of thermal conductivity and temperature maximum. The first component of Arctic Cooling MX-4 is 8.5 W / mK, which allows the thermal grease to be used in powerful computers and laptops. The loss of the useful properties of the composition begins when the mark reaches +160 degrees Celsius - not the maximum, however, if there is a proper cooling system, it will not reach this.

Advantages:

• good thermal conductivity does not prevent processor overclocking;
• several packaging options are available (for 4 and 20 grams of thermal paste);
• excellent consistency.

Disadvantages:

• high price.

The best thermal pastes with a high degree of thermal conductivity

3 Prolimatech Nano Aluminum

Let's open the category with a rather modest thermal paste. The declared thermal conductivity is 10.2 W / mK. In tests, Nano Aluminum falls short of the category leader, but it is noticeably ahead of its closest rivals like Arctic Cooling MX-4. In general, thermal grease can be safely used in top-end gaming or work systems with powerful video cards constantly operating under high load. It is easy to apply the paste - the viscosity is medium, the “stickiness” is excellent, it is very easy to spread over the surface.

Thermal paste belongs to the highest class, and therefore the cost corresponds. For 5 grams, you will have to pay about 900-1000 rubles. But it is difficult to call this a problem because of the high characteristics and the availability of packages with a capacity of 1-1.5 g on sale (which is quite enough for a single use) at an affordable price. We also note that for professional assemblers and service centers there is an opportunity to immediately buy a 150-gram can for 5 thousand rubles.

Advantages:

• Good performance
• Convenient to apply
• Available in packages from 1 to 150 grams

2 Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut

The pair of leaders is represented by Thermal Grizzly thermal pastes. Hydronaut is a mid-range thermal interface. At least that's what the manufacturer thinks. Technical characteristics make it possible to refer the product to the top segment. The declared thermal conductivity is 11.8 W / mK. The operating temperature range is even more striking than the Aeronaut discussed above: -200 - +350 OC. The operating parameters are not satisfactory. At idle temperatures are fully comparable with the more "powerful" Kryonaut, and under stress load it is only half a degree higher. Thus, the thermal interface is perfect for overclocking enthusiasts with productive hardware.

The viscosity is slightly higher than that of the Aeronaut, but there should be no problems with application to the desired surface - the flow is sufficient, and the blade for smearing in place. The only drawback is the cost. But products of this level cannot be cheap and cannot, and the price / quality ratio is excellent.

Advantages:

• Performance sufficient even for overclocked hardware
• Convenient application

Disadvantages:

• Price.

1 Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

One of the best thermal pastes for overclockers, used in cooling systems for the most demanding computers and laptops. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is focused, rather, on use in service centers, since one syringe holds 11 grams of the composition. In terms of technical characteristics, the thermal paste should be given its due - the manufacturers managed to squeeze the maximum possible from the composition. The operating temperature range varies from -200 to +350 degrees Celsius, so you don't have to worry about the loss of properties. In terms of heat transfer, everything is also excellent: this parameter is 12.5 W / mK. The manufacturers foresaw the occurrence of problems with the application, so they equipped the syringe with two applicators included in the kit. As a result, even considering the high cost, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is one of the best thermal pastes produced at the moment.

Advantages:

• excellent consistency;
• availability of applicators for ease of application;
• good heat dissipation;
• generous packaging.

Disadvantages:

• quite high price.

Remember that the layer of paste should be minimal, it should replace air. But each case is different, processor covers and heatsink soles have different curves, bulges, depressions, blockages, etc.