Best Thermal Pastes for Your PC in 2023

If you’re running a high-performance system, or a mid-grade system at max capacity, you may have noticed that the temperature output of your PC is considerably higher than that of more basic systems.

While this is completely normal, it also requires a bit more monitoring and tinkering to maintain safely than a more basic, simple system.

Fortunately, the solution is affordable, simple, and easy to take care of on your own; you just need to find the best thermal paste for your PC setup.

Modern PCs require the use of a thermal paste of one sort or another, plain and simple. This isn’t a matter of opinion like it was 15-20 years ago; at which time you really could get by with just a fan system to keep your CPU, GPU, etc. at an acceptable temperature level.

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Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

Why Do Modern High-Performance Systems Produce More Heat?

Heat is an unavoidable byproduct of electronic operations; particularly in complex electronics such as an advanced PC.

As technology advances, the use of more and more complex internal PC parts has been necessary to efficiently run our increasingly complicated tech. Modern CPUs, GPUs, HDD, and ODD require more electrical current to perform their tasks.

As the electrical input runs along wires, circuits, etc. it meets a certain level of resistance. This friction is how the byproduct of heat is produced. You can avoid overheating by using a combination of an efficient CPU cooler, case fans, and the best thermal compound.

Under What Circumstances Do You Need a Thermal Paste?

When you buy a new computer, the heat sink and CPU already have the appropriate layer of thermal paste; or compound; laid between the surfaces. Unless you’re buying a unique chassis setup that doesn’t come with the parts that you’re likely to want to handpick individually, you won’t have to worry about thermal paste when you first set up.

The chances are good that if you’re reading this guide, you’re doing some modifications to your PC or you’re having overheating problems.

Whether you’re tackling a simple task like switching out your CPU or gutting your case and starting fresh, now is the right time to bust out the thermal paste. Even if there’s thermal paste already in place that seems perfectly reusable; don’t.

Clean the surfaces that are already tacked completely and then reapply the best thermal paste for your PC project needs. This guide will walk you through the entire process of removing and applying thermal compounds since it’s very important that you do it right.

This will take care of any existing overheating problems that were related to the thermal paste as well. If you continue to have overheating problems after replacing your thermal compound you should clean your fans, case, etc. and continue to troubleshoot from there.

Which Thermal Paste is Right for You & Your PC?

Choosing the best thermal paste for GPU, CPU, or general PC maintenance can be a bit tricky. Largely because opinion varies so widely on which ones are best, which ones are rubbish, or whether there is any difference at all between different types of paste.

The main division of opinion is based around whether or not using filler compounds that are simultaneously conductive and capacitive (such as silver) is preferable to using lower thermally conductive fillers (such as zinc oxide).

The main concern here is that materials like silver can cause A LOT of damage if it comes into contact with your circuits. The ingredients found in different thermal compounds can include a combination of the ‘Filler Properties’ found here.

14 Best Thermal Pastes

Arctic Silver 5 AS5-3.5G Thermal Compound

Best Thermal Paste for CPU and GPU Applications

Despite the concerns surrounding most silver fillers, you can ask almost any techie if they’d recommend Arctic Silver 5 as a thermal paste, and they wouldd say yes. This thermal compound is 99.9% micronized silver; which is not conductive like most silver compounds. It is guaranteed not to “run, bleed, or migrate” as well, which keeps your circuits extra safe while taking advantage of the high thermal conduction of the filler.
 

Pros:

• Has a thermal conduction rate of 350,000W/m2 degrees Celsius
• Easy to remove and apply
• Silver filler material comes in 3 different shapes to maximize the contact area

Cons:

• Using silver fillers makes a lot of people nervous about the safety of their circuits

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ARCTIC MX-5

Excellence in a Small Package

ARCTIC MX-5 is an affordable, yet efficient thermal paste, with a thermal conductivity rating of 5.0 W/m-K and viscosity of 550 poise. This thermal paste is metal-free and available in sizes from 2 grams, up to 50 grams.

This is a highly durable compound that should allow for a good heat coupling for about eight years. ARCTIC MX-5 is easy to apply and can successfully operate at temperatures ranging from -40° to 180° Celsius.

In other words, if you want an efficient, yet cheap thermal paste, ARCTIC MX-5 is the thing for you.

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• Affordable
• Metal-free
• 8-year durability

Cons:

• None

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Noctua NT-H2

Another Step to Perfection

Noctua NT-H2 is the successor of the already highly successful Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste that brought excellent performance, which has risen even further with the new upgraded version. Although there is no official information about the thermal conductivity of this paste, estimates are telling us that it is probably around 9 W/m-K.

What is confirmed is the density, which is listed at 2.81 g/cm³, and the operating temperature that is set between -50° and 200° Celsius. Noctua NT-H2 is available in 3.5 gram and 10-gram packages and has a recommended use time of around five years.

It is easy to apply, it is non-electrically conductive and non-corroding, and it brings very good thermal distribution, as well as lower thermal resistance, making this paste one of the best thermal pastes available on the market.

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• Good performance
• Easy spreading
• Not electrically conductive

Cons:

• Pricey

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SYY Thermal Paste

One of the Best out There

SYY Thermal Paste is an affordable, stable, and excellent-performing thermal paste that brings everything that the best CPU/GPU thermal paste should. This paste has a 15.7W/m-K thermal conductivity and features a metal-free, non-conductive compound that offers some five years of use.

SYY Thermal Paste has an operating temperature between -30°C and 280°C; it is easy to apply, and overall brings a very good value for the money, making a good all-around solution for the majority of users.

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• High thermal conductivity
• Affordable
• Excellent performance and stability
• Metal-free
• Non-conductive

Cons:

• Available in a small quantity

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CORSAIR XTM50 Thermal Compound Paste

A Thermal Paste Designed for Mainstream Gaming Machines

CORSAIR XTM50 is a solid, non-conductive thermal paste that proves its best value in the mid-range market. It is very stable, it offers 5W/(m-K) thermal conductivity and comes with a very low 0.009°C -in/w thermal impedance, which is one of the main reasons it is suitable for a long-time use.

This is an eco-friendly thermal paste, based on Zinc Oxide; therefore, there should be no worries about its use and disposal. Moreover, this compound comes along with the application kit that should make the paste installation a piece of cake, while its overall performance should satisfy a large base of users that are seeking for the best thermal paste in the mainstream range.

Pros:

• Easy application
• Eco-friendly
• Good stability
• Low thermal impedance

Cons:

• A bit too dense
• A bit pricey

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Wigbow Ice Mountain №1

One of the Best Solutions for Your PC

Wigbow Ice Mountain No1 is definitely one of the best thermal compounds available on a budget. It is a high performance compound which is perfect for use on your CPU, GPU, and other heat sensitive parts that require a heatsink.

The base of this product is a polysynthetic carbon, which is highly effective for heat sinking and transference. It is particularly easy to apply in syringe form.

Pros:

• Really easy to use
• Highly effective
• Noncorrosive, nontoxic, nonvolatile, and fire resistant

Cons:

• Can be difficult to remove
• Not on par with more expensive solutions

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Cooler Master MasterGel Pro V2

Very Good Thermal Paste

Cooler Master MasterGel Pro V2 is an efficient and easy-to-use thermal paste that offers a very good performance, and is affordable at the same time. This paste has a 9W/m-K thermal conductivity, 2.6 g/cm3 specific gravity, and overall brings just the right mixture of price and quality, as it should be the situation with the best thermal paste out there.

Therefore, if you are seeking a reliable, reasonably priced, good-performing thermal paste, Cooler Master MasterGel Pro V2 is the thing to look for.

Pros:

• Easy to spread
• Very good performance
• Affordable

Cons:

• None

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Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme

A Solid Choice for the Best Thermal Compound

With thermal conductivity of 8.5W/mK, Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme isn’t a bad route to go if you need to replace your existing heatsinks or installing some new gear, such as a CPU cooler. It is easy to use and even comes with an applicator tool.

Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme is a specialized, non-curing compound which makes it more effective for longer periods of time, but also makes it riskier to move your computer around frequently. It’s also easy to clean up.

Pros:

• It’s non-electrically conductive which keeps your circuits and other components safe
• It’s noncorrosive
• Non-toxic

Cons:

• Difficult to tell how much is left in container
• Expensive compared to similar products

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HY-883-4g Thermal Conductivity

A Great Mixture of Performance and the Price

If you are looking for a good-quality thermal paste that will do the job and that won’t cost too much, HY-883-4g Thermal Conductivity Paste is the ideal option for you.

With this compound, you will get good stability, ease of use, and most importantly, solid performance. HY-883-4g Thermal Conductivity offers very good 6.5W/(m-K) thermal conductivity and comes fitted with both grease cleaning and easy application sets – the key reasons for its easy installation.

All in all, HY-883-4g Thermal Conductivity is a great deal for the value that it delivers, and definitely one of the best thermal pastes out there.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Great stability
• It comes in a package with the applicator
• Easy to use

Cons:

• None

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Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

Great Non Electrically Conductive Thermal Paste

The Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease Paste is an application dream with the included spreader tool and compound product. Not electrically conductive, the thermal conductivity hovers around 12.5W/mK, which allows this product to go head to head with many of the best thermal pastes on the market despite being relatively new to the competition. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease Paste is more expensive than most by up to double for half the amount of product, however, with the increased performance and staying power, this paste is worth it.

Pros:

• Thermal conductivity of 12.5W/mK
• Easy to apply with spatula
• Not electrically conductive

Cons:

• Expensive compared to competition

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ARCTIC MX-2

An Affordable, yet Efficient Thermal Paste

ARCTIC MX-2 is a durable, non-electrically conductive thermal paste that offers solid performance and comes at a reasonable price.

This thermal paste is metal-free and super easy to use, which makes it suitable for newbies as well. It has a very good 5.6W/(m-K) thermal conductivity and excellent structural stability. This is the main reason for its longevity and the fact you can use it for more than eight years without a need for a change.

In other words, if you need a rock-solid thermal paste for your GPU or CPU, ARCTIC MX-2 is surely more than a good option for you.

Pros:

• Durable
• Excellent performance
• Easy to use
• Affordable

Cons:

• None

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Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut

Excellent Thermal Compound to Reduce Your PC Temperature

As spreading thermal compounds is a kind of delicate work, it’s really important to get a thermal paste that is easy to apply, and Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut is a good example. Its 1.0 syringe is convenient to use for spreading the paste – just squeeze a small drop onto the included swab and spread it. Still, be careful not to drop it onto the graphics card as you will brick it. By the by, this thermal paste comes with a changeable applicator nozzle on the tube.

Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut has 73 W/mk of thermal conductivity. It’s one of the best products to reduce the temperature of your PC down (up to more than 20°C) and to let it show its best performance.

Pros:

• affordable price
• a changeable applicator nozzle on the tube
• convenient and easy to apply
• reduces temperature significantly

Cons:

• can’t be used with aluminum heatsinks
• can brick the card if not applied carefully

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Innovation Cooling Graphite Thermal Pad

An Alternative Solution that Can Save You from a Lot of Mess

If you are after innovative products that can give you the same, if not a better thermal performance than the traditional thermal pastes, and offer a few conveniences, such as reusability, Innovation Cooling Graphite Thermal Pad is the thing for you.

This graphite piece can be used as a CPU, GPU and even PlayStation thermal solution. It is available in 30x30mm and 40x40mm size and can be easily trimmed to the smaller dimensions if required. Moreover, it has operating temperature from -200°C till 400°C and, as mentioned, it offers reusability, which is one of its biggest advantages over the thermal pastes, and its key selling point.

Along with that, Cooling Graphite Thermal Pad offers a mess-free installation and comes with only a few of flaws, which include its electrically conductive nature that demands careful installation and complete absence of power.

All in all, if you are into good cooling solutions and are not burdened by the traditional approach, Cooling Graphite Thermal Pad might be an ideal choice for you.

Pros:

• Reusable
• Less messy than the thermal paste

Cons:

• It demands careful handling because it is electrically conductive

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