Best CPU Thermal Pastes

Thermal paste is a special substance used to improve the heat conduction between the heat sink and the processor of a computer or laptop. It allows you to increase the life of the equipment, increasing the efficiency of the cooling system. But not all thermal interfaces can cope with these tasks adequately. We have tried to include the most reliable options in this rating, taking into account their effectiveness, safety, ease of use and a number of other criteria. The best thermal greases for the processor were selected from 30 nominees, which should make it easier to select the right product.

Thermal paste for the processor which company is better to choose

In the market, thermal interfaces are sold mainly by Asian and American companies. There are both in this rating, but each of them is quite popular. Among them there are both budgetary firms and enterprises operating in the middle price range. The TOP also includes products from premium manufacturers. The following is a detailed description of the brands whose products are presented in the rating:

• Noctua - the company specializes in the development of air cooling systems, and, in particular, produces heat-conducting pastes. She regularly updates her assortment, taking the best from outdated options and using modern technologies. Its products are supplied in syringes, the average volume of which is 4 g. They are distinguished by optimal consistency, good thermal conductivity and viscosity, ease of application and safety for computers. With its high quality, prices for products are in most cases adequate, and it is not difficult to find them in stores.
• Deepcool Is a Chinese supplier of coolers, including liquid cooling systems. All of them are produced at the company's own factories and supplied to more than 60 countries around the world. They are used for both home and office equipment, lubricating both laptops and desktop computers. The company was founded in 1996 and during this time it took first positions in the market. Its products are produced in convenient syringes, from which the composition is squeezed out quite simply. It forms a thin yet reliable layer with high thermal conductivity, ensuring tight contact between the cooler and the processor. Despite the affordable prices, the durability of thermal pastes for computers is at a height, being equal to 1-2 years.
• Prolimatech - the company is widely known for its high-quality coolers, but it also provides customers with reliable cooling systems for processors and video cards, including in the form of liquids. Like other companies in the rating, the company packs its products in miniature syringes, the volume of which is on average 1.5 g. The density of its materials is such that it makes it possible to literally make a thin heat-insulating layer from a few drops. The application process is quite simple due to its good viscosity and medium consistency. Some kits come with spatulas for even distribution of the compositions.
• Coollaboratory Is a young company operating in Germany. One of the main goals in her policy is the solution of thermodynamic problems, as well as the development of accessories for this. It produces liquid metal alloys that improve the performance of cooling systems and protect equipment from premature failure.In the ranking from this company, Coollaboratory Liquid Pro paste is presented, which became the first product of the brand and was released in 2005. Its means prevent short circuits and are safe for equipment.
• Arctic - inexpensive thermal pastes are produced under this brand, while their quality is quite high. They have a good consistency and do not spread when applied to surfaces. Thermal interfaces from this manufacturer do not dry out on the lid and have excellent wear resistance. On average, one lubricant lasts 1 year and can be easily replaced if needed. The funds are available in convenient bottles, their volume is on average 4 g.

The best microphones for a computer according to user reviews

Rating of the best thermal pastes for the processor

When preparing the rating, we were guided by positive and negative customer reviews about a particular product. We also considered the opinions and assessments of experts in the field of computer technology. With this in mind, the following criteria for selecting the best thermal pastes for the processor were identified:

• Price - low, medium, high;
• Release form and volume;
• Viscosity and thermal conductivity;
• Consistency;
• Ease of application and distribution;
• The speed of obtaining the effect;
• Wear resistance;
• Ease of replacement;
• Can be used to overclock the chipset;
• Components in the composition;
• Resistance of the treated surface to corrosion;
• Short circuit protection;
• Economical consumption.

As additional criteria for the selection of heat-conducting pastes, their availability on the market, the ratio of price and quality, and the reputation of manufacturing firms were taken.

The best computer keyboards according to user reviews

The best inexpensive CPU thermal greases

Budgetary heat-conducting pastes include funds, the cost of which fluctuates around 500 rubles. You should not expect maximum thermal conductivity from them, but they still protect the computer well from overheating. Such pastes were included in this rating, taking into account their effectiveness, safety and ease of use. Next, the pros and cons of the top three options will be discussed.

Coollaboratory Liquid MetalPad

We begin our review of the best thermal pastes for the processor with this tool, which has the right to be called such primarily because of the optimal viscosity. This explains why it is quite simple to apply it to the surface - the composition does not spread and allows you to form a thin layer. Thus, it is possible to save a little, but the desired effect is achieved almost immediately after using the composition. Thermal lubrication ensures perfect adhesion between the heatsink and the processor, as well as reliable heat transfer between parts, since thermal conductivity is at its best.

Advantages

• Service life is not less than 3 years;
• Metal base;
• Convenient packaging;
• Withstands high temperatures, up to +200 degrees Celsius;
• The volume is sufficient to lubricate multiple CPUs.

disadvantages

• Not the best thermal grease for a PC if you need to increase the frequency of the chipset.

Coollaboratory Liquid MetalPad thermal grease cannot cause a short circuit, as it is a good current insulator.

Noctua NT-H1, syringe

The tool differs from similar options in the rating by its low thermal resistance. The paste fills the space between the processor and the heatsink well, ensuring tight contact and increasing the efficiency of the cooling system. It continues to act for at least a year after application, so it does not require frequent replacement, while its properties do not noticeably deteriorate over time. To achieve these results, it is sufficient to apply one drop to the lid, since the composition is easily distributed in a thin layer due to the elasticity of the composition.

Advantages

• Convenient to squeeze out of the syringe;
• Volume 3.5 g;
• Adequate price;
• Copes well with its functions;
• Does not become solid over time.

disadvantages

• No choice of volumes;
• It is better to preheat the surface for a faster effect.

DeepCool Z9

The company specializes in the production of not only coolers for computers, but also accessories for cooling systems. However, it does not always provide a thermal interface in the kit, which can be purchased separately. This tool belongs to just such, having established itself as the best option with the widest range of maintained temperatures, from -40 to +200 C, so it can be used at any time of the year and in completely different conditions.

DeepCool Z9 is sold in a convenient syringe, has an optimal consistency, and comes with a spatula just in case for proper distribution over the CPU cover. Its thermal conductivity is not the highest, 4 W / (m · K), but there are no complaints about this in the reviews. The volume of heat transfer paste in the package is 3 g, which is the standard.

Advantages

• Wear resistance for at least 12 months;
• Easy to replace;
• Provides tight contact between heatsink and processor;
• Excellent viscosity - 89.16 cps;
• Suitable for both stationary computers and laptops.

disadvantages

• Overclocking a chipset may require more fans and coolers.

Due to its low thermal conductivity, DeepCool Z9 may require heating, for example, in warm water, to a temperature of 40-45 ° C before application.

The best mid-range CPU thermal compounds

This price category includes funds sold at a cost, on average, from 500 to 1000 rubles. It is this price range that accounts for most of the offers on the market. Usually, their thermal conductivity and viscosity are somewhat better than those of budget options. We have selected the two most worthy options in the rating of thermal pastes for the processor based on their versatility and efficiency.

Prolimatech PK-3

This is the leader of our rating in terms of the ratio of the best price and thermal conductivity. This indicator is here equal to 10 units, which eliminates this remedy from any drawbacks.

The first place in the category of medium-cost funds can also be given to him because of the ease of use - the composition is easily squeezed out, spreads over the surface, perfectly fixed and does not dry out over time.

Prolimatech PK-3 works almost instantly after surface treatment and does not require replacement for a long time, about two years, providing excellent heat transfer between the cooler and the processor. True, there is not enough thermal interface for lubricating the caps for a long time, since the volume in the syringe does not exceed 1.5 g, which means that you will have to use it sparingly or buy several packages at once.

Advantages

• Does not contribute to metal corrosion;
• Does not conduct electricity;
• Safe when applied to a computer;
• Does not get your hands dirty during lubrication;
• It can be easily removed if necessary;
• Non-sticky properties.

disadvantages

• After drying, the layer may differ slightly in height;
• Small syringe capacity.

Coollaboratory Liquid Pro

Judging by customer reviews, this thermal interface has good potential, which manifests itself both on very hot video cards and processors, and on non-overclocked chipsets. According to this selection criterion, our previous rating participant is inferior to him, which fully justifies the not low price for him. But, alas, this option is not suitable for processing aluminum surfaces, but with nickel-plated copper it is simply combined with a bang.

Compared to other products in the TOP, it differs primarily in composition, since it is made on the basis of liquid metal. It does not contain oxides and silicones, which are widespread in cheap compositions. The composition is effective, but there is one caveat - it is better to clean the contact zone before lubricating the lid and after processing, for which special accessories are included in the set.

Advantages

• Ease of application;
• Convenience of packaging;
• Ease of removal;
• Long lasting effect;
• Cooler and processor safety.

disadvantages

• Sometimes, if the surface is poorly degreased, high temperatures appear;
• Volume 0.15 ml.

As the reviews show, the Coollaboratory Liquid Pro heat-conducting paste can be successfully used both on laptops and on stationary computers.

Best Premium Thermal Pastes for CPU

To purchase such funds, you will need about 1000 rubles. Yes, this is a lot of money, but for them, buyers are offered thermal pastes better than inexpensive ones, which in most cases are suitable both for lubricating the processor lid and for overclocking the chipset. There are not so many such options on the market, and this rating included one product at all, taking into account its astringent and heat-conducting properties.

Arctic MX-4 20 grams Oraco-Mx40101-Gb

It can be seen that the manufacturer did not stint on the volume, adding 20 g of heat-conducting paste to the syringe at once. This option is more profitable in cost than buying 4 g, and the company also has such a package. In reviews, buyers recognize it as the best choice for overclocking. The reason for this is the almost ideal thermal conductivity of 8.5 W / (m * K), and the density of the thermal interface is 2.5 g / cc. It performed well in laptops, where the temperature factor is important, as well as on machines with a high load on video cards.

Advantages

• Optimal consistency;
• Ease of distribution;
• Can be easily applied in a thin layer;
• There is no need to change often;
• Easily removable;
• Does not dry out completely.

disadvantages

• Not found.

Which thermal paste for the processor is better to buy

The most important indicator of any thermal interface is its thermal conductivity; the higher it is, the better the tool performs its tasks. The thermal resistance should be as low as possible. It is also worth considering the wear resistance of the composition, which must withstand at least a year of temperature exposure. It is important that it is resistant to shock and can operate at 200 degrees. The most expensive are the compositions, which include metals (copper, silver, gold), and among the budget ones there are paste with zinc oxide.

The following is the recommended heat transfer paste for your situation:

• If the tool needs to be used for overclocking, then you should pay attention to the Coollaboratory Liquid MetalPad.
• For laptop processor processing, Noctua NT-H1 can be used.
• If you need a paste to lubricate your PC, which has a high load, which often causes it to overheat, the DeepCool Z9 is the best option.
• The most suitable thermal interface for processing a lid on a gaming computer is Prolimatech PK-3.
• If you need a composition containing liquid metals, then the best solution would be to purchase a Coollaboratory Liquid Pro.
• Where the temperature factor is critical, the Arctic MX-4 Oraco-Mx40101-Gb has proven itself well.

When choosing thermal paste for your computer, it is best to focus on your budget and needs. It is also necessary to take into account the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of the funds described in this rating. This will allow you to avoid mistakes and buy a really effective tool!