7 Best Thermal Paste for CPUs 2023 – Pastes Tested and Ranked

Deciding between the best CPU thermal paste can be challenging, but its quality is usually not focused on because there are many other things to consider. So many coolers these days are pre-applied to cool down the CPUs, but it’s essential to have a thermal paste at your disposal. This will help you when you want to make efficient transfers of heat to the CPU cooler to help dissolve heat. 

From the multiple options to choose from, it can be confusing to know what makes a good thermal paste and how to choose among all the other options. We have listed the seven best thermal pastes that will make a profound impact on the performance of your CPU. Let’s dive in!

The 7 Best CPU Thermal Paste

1. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

Thermal Grizzly is a brand that stands out and provides multiple thermal items, including thermal pads, liquid metal, and thermal grease. Thermal paste is another word for thermal grease; it is suitable for most PCs, even overclocked computers. The Hydronaut has a thermal conductivity of 0.0076 K/W and does not conduct any electricity. The viscosity level is around 140-190, which means the level of plastic is higher than the liquid. 

2. Arctic MX-6

Arctic is the go-to brand for PC cooling solutions, and their previous products, the MX-2 and the MX-4 are popular in the market. After a massive hit with the 2 and 4, the brand brought the best product to the market. The MX-6 comes in a size range of 2 to 8 grams and can be resealed to prevent the paste from drying. If you have sealed it properly, you can use it later, even after a year. 

The paste is relatively easy to apply on the CPU IHS, which makes it stand out. The viscosity of the MX-6 is 45,000 poise, and the thermal conductivity is relatively low compared with other metals. It is compatible with multiple processors and not limited to any specific CPU. It is on the pricier side, but the price per gram is market competitive, and with good durability, it stands out amongst other pastes. 

3. ProlimaTech PK-3 Nano Aluminum

The Prolima Nano Aluminium is another premium paste in terms of quality. The paste is a combination of thermal compounds consolidated with zinc oxide and aluminum. It is a stable and promising thermal paste, which is easy to apply on various surfaces and can later be cleaned quickly. It serves the purpose and is sufficient for all CPU applications making it another go-to product. 

4. Noctua NT-H1

This product is designed to cater to a particular market of users, especially those requiring lower noise output and a high cooling rate. The NT-H1 is known as one of the best products in the market, mainly because it doesn’t have a break-in period, and it works ideally starting from the minute you boot the system and install the CPU cooler. The thermal paste is not electrically conductive, which means you do not have to stress about the danger of short circuits from the application of the paste. 

Noctua NT-H1 also helps in the cooling of the compression; this unlocks and helps achieve higher speeds for overclocking while using sub-zero cooling techniques. It contains hybrid compounds using different micro-particles explicitly designed for optimizing PC environments. It has been proven to achieve the best results, significantly, when cooling various processors. You can use it for different CPUs, such as the AMZ Ryzen Threadripper and even HEDT high-performance chips. 

5. BSFF Thermal Paste 

BSFF thermal paste is a carbon-based, thermally efficient product in the market. It’s thermal conductivity rating of 13.9W/mk makes it a reliable and thermal conductive paste for different users. The paste is perfect for beginners and also comes with extras such as alcohol wipes, CPU templates, a finishing card, and even a spatula for easy application. In addition to the paste being beginner-friendly, it also has an impressive performance rate.

This product is mainly recommended if you want an exceptional thermal paste to get the best performance without risking a liquid metal alternative that can be dangerous compared to this product. 

6. Corsair XTM50

With so many other thermal pastes to choose from, Corsair XTM50 is also a product that offers reliability. It is designed for high-performance processors and is also one of the best thermal pastes in the market. What makes it one of the best products is not just its efficiency but also how easy its usage is. It also comes with a beginner-friendly stencil and a spreader that prevents users from any spillage or wastage. 

The Corsair XTM50 has a low viscosity, but the pressure will surely do its thing using the dot method of application. The product is available in only one size, which means you don’t have the ease of choosing a higher or lower quantity. It has an extremely low thermal resistivity making it better than other cooling pastes. It is made out of non-volatile compounds and is perfect for your CPU IHS. 

7. Cooler Master MasterGel Pro v2

Another non-electrically conductive compound is this thermal paste alternative, and it is thick and has a flexible viscosity, giving users decent stability when applied. If you are a beginner, then the MasterGel Pro v2 is perfect to work with; a quick and hassle-free application and an easy-to-clean method. Its thermal conductivity is 9W/mk, which performs pretty well in cooling the CPU. 

Buyers Guide to Know All About Thermal Paste

Since you know all about the best thermal pastes in the market, you must understand how beneficial each of them is and what you need to consider as a user when buying a thermal paste for cooling your CPUs. 

Why are Thermal Pastes Important?

Apart from improving the thermal conductivity of a CPU and dispelling the heat away from the CPU, it provides the following benefits for multiple users. 

1. Temperature Control

The thermal paste helps stabilize the temperature of a CPU, which results in improving the system’s performance. In cases of high temperature, your CPU system can crash and restrain users from working efficiently. 

2. Thermal Conductivity

Thermal grease or pastes helps improvise the CPU’s thermal conductivity and eradicate heat dissipation. The paste fills the gap between the heatsink and the CPU, ensuring an improvised conductive surface to decrease the heat. 

3. Effectiveness

A reliable thermal paste helps improvise the efficiency of the system because it reduces the excessive consumption of power and keeps the CPU at a decent temperature. 

4. Durability:

A decent thermal paste increases the durability of the CPU by keeping it cooler to avoid throttling and crashing. Use the paste and keep the temperature at bay to prolong your CPUs life.  

How do Thermal Pastes Work?

A CPU must move the heat away from the processor to avoid overheating, which could harm the CPU. The cooler receives heat from the CPU and radiates it outward, removing it from the system. 

But even perfectly smooth surfaces, like the metal surfaces of a CPU and cooler, have minuscule gaps and faults that can lead to the formation of air pockets, which lessen the effectiveness of heat transfer. This is when thermal paste can be helpful to help alleviate the effect of heat. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Thermal Paste

You need to consider several factors when getting a thermal paste for your CPUs. Here are some reasons to keep in mind:

1. Performance: The effectiveness of the thermal paste should be among your top priorities. Choose one with a high thermal conductivity level, which indicates it will be more effective at transferring heat away from the CPU. 
2. Application: The ease at which the thermal paste is applied is another essential factor you need to take into consideration. You must consider how simple it is to spread and apply evenly and whether it comes in a tube or syringe. To guarantee proper coverage and prevent air pockets, which could impair the cooling performance, follow our stated steps. 
3. Suitability: Check if the thermal paste is compatible with your CPU; you might be using the wrong paste; hence it’s not working. Cooling solutions differ when used for high-performance CPUs and average CPUs. 
4. Cost: The most crucial part is your budget and how much you plan to spend on the cooling solution. There are high-end alternatives in the market but affordable options to ensure smooth performance. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to your CPU needs and preferences; we encourage you to research before you decide to finalize your purchase. 

Bottom Line

To summarise, choosing the correct thermal paste for your CPUs can make a massive difference in the longevity and performance of your system. The thermal pastes mentioned in the article are the best in the market and can keep your CPU running at an appropriate temperature. It’s essential to keep in mind the quality of your cooling solution, the amount of airflow, and the power of your CPU all contribute to stabilization and optimal performance for all users. 

At the end of the day, selecting the best thermal paste is all about finding the right balance between price, convenience regarding usage, and performance. It’s essential to consider each of the cooling solutions we have mentioned and purchase the one that ticks your boxes. 

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