11 Best Thermal Paste to Use for CPUs Cooling in 2023

Are you afraid to see your PC components on fire and are looking to purge out such possibilities? If yes, then get the best thermal paste now and avoid this dreadful sight.

PC enthusiast dreams of the ice-cool temperature of the processor, and therefore, they always swear by the top brand of the paste.

Choosing an excellent thermal compound is essential, especially if you are serious about your system’s efficiency and plan to overclock your rig to its fullest. However, buying thermal grease is not as simple as it sounds.

A dizzying array of options often turns this seemingly easy choice into a time-consuming process. There is a very marginal difference between different brands of thermal paste, but this slight difference can make you pay a lot.

Keeping this fact in mind, we have compiled the top thermal compounds so that you can buy the rightmost option for your system. But before directly jumping into the buying process, let’s get to know about this best thermal paste in a bit of detail.

What is Thermal Paste?

Best Thermal Paste

Thermal paste, also known as Thermal Interface Material, is mainly introduced to minimize the microscopic air gaps between the cooler and CPU’s IHS surface.

This heat-conductive paste is placed in the middle of the heatsinks and chips to mitigate the heat.

Thermal paste has a profound impact on the system’s performance as it allows the processor to transfer most of the heat to the coolant, thus keeping the processor running cool.

These compounds mainly smoothen the surface of CPUs and GPUs and make them work as efficiently as possible. Also, you can check the best Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X for your Ryzen computer.

What Elements To Consider While Buying Best Thermal Paste?

The best thermal paste is mainly introduced to enhance the system’s performance, but one wrong choice can cost you thousands. Therefore, you must keep in mind certain essential elements and choose the rightmost product that fits your needs well.

Have a look!!

1. The right density is the key factor

If you genuinely want to yield the best performance of your system and get rid of overclocking issues, then always opt for the best thermal paste with accurate density. This key factor allows the paste to squeeze on the CPU evenly. Undoubtedly, the consistency of the best thermal paste matters the best and is one of the essential factors to consider. A product with appropriate consistency avoids the risk of damaging other components of your system and thus assures excellent output.

2. The thermal design power of the CPU cannot be overlooked

It is mandatory to look out for the thermal design power of the processor before picking up the best thermal compound. This mainly evaluates how much heat is generated by the processor and lets you determine the type of paste you require. It is suggested to go for the best thermal paste that can easily handle the heat generated by the CPU or GPU and keep the other components safe and secure from damage.

3. Thermal conductivity matters the most

The third important factor to consider while buying the best thermal paste is its thermal conductivity. It is essential to select the thermal compound with the rightmost thermal conductivity to keep your system cool and safe from any damage. The proper thermal conductivity level offers high versatility and efficient heat transfer from the processor to the heatsink. Both liquid and non-metallic paste come with different thermal conductivity levels, and you can advise going with the option that works well with your system. However, one thing to be noted is that you can opt for the non-conductive compounds to avoid any risk of short-circuiting. Make sure that paste features excellent density and caters to your needs fully.

4. Check the shelf life of a best thermal paste

The maximum shelf life of the best thermal paste is up to three years for unopened packages. Therefore, you are highly advised to pick the thermal compound with a more extraordinary shelf life. Purchasing thermal grease with a faster turnover is also a good idea.

Let’s take all the aspects mentioned above into consideration. One product that serves your purpose well is none other than Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound – 12g (AS5-12G-R).

This compound comes with an ideal density and triple-phase viscosity and can be easily applied to the processor. Moreover, this product provides fast heat transfer and fills the micro gaps within little to no time.

Its thermal conductivity and lifespan make it ideal for years of usage. Just wait no more and order this best thermal compound right away to add years to the life of your processor.

There are a mind-boggling number of thermal compounds available in the market; therefore, we’ve done extensive testing of some of the well-known brands and have come up with a list of the best thermal paste to use in 2023.

Let’s get into it.

Quick Summary

  1. OkayReview Top Pick: Arctic Silver
  2. Popular Choice: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
  3. Best For Newbies: Noctua NT-H1
  4. Best Budget Thermal Paste: Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut
  5. Best Overall Thermal Paste: SYY 4 grams CPU Paste
  6. Best Value Pick: Cooler Master New Edition MasterGel Regular
  7. Best Overclocking Paste: HY-883
  8. Best Award-winning Thermal Paste: Arctic MX-4
  9. Best for Beginners: Thermalright TF-4
  10. Best Non-corrosive Thermal Paste: ALSEYE Thermal Paste
  11. Best Premium Thermal Paste: Thermaltake TG-7

Best Thermal Paste Top Pick in 2023

AS5-12G-R (Top Pick)

Sale
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound Features
  • The Arctic Silver 5 uses three unique shapes and...
  • Made With 99.9% Pure Silver
  • Controlled Triple-Phase Viscosity
  • High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound

A perfect option for reliable heat transfer – Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound – 12g

Reasons to Buy

  • High-Density Polysynthetic Best thermal paste.
  • Made up of pure silver.
  • Features controlled triple-phase viscosity.
  • Easy to apply
  • Value for money

Reasons to Avoid

  • The cap doesn’t feature an excellent mechanical lock.
  • Poor packaging

Let’s unwrap the list with our foremost choice, which is none other than Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound – 12g (AS5-12G-R). It is made with 99% pure silver.

This best thermal paste features three distinctive forms of pure silver to enhance the dot-to-dot contact area and heat transfer. This product is optimized for the use between high-performance heatsinks and powerful CPUs.

The paste goes directly between the CPU heat spreader and the coolers to fill the micro gaps and, in turn, improves heat transfer.

Using Arctic Silver 5, High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound is not rocket science, and one can easily do the same by following the proper procedure.

All you have to do is take a small amount of paste and apply the same either on the heatsink or on the processor in a circular fashion, using a clean finger. Remember to spread the paste over the entire surface and avoid taking it too much.

Isn’t it easy? If you are genuinely searching for the top best thermal paste, trust me, this is the best bet, and there are several reasons for the same.

Every compound has its pros and cons; however, these cons have nothing to do with this excellent thermal paste performance.

The Arctic itself is a big name, and therefore, this product is undoubtedly a go-to choice for all PC enthusiasts out there.

Get this best thermal paste now and enhance the performance of your system beyond expectation.

10 Best Thermal Paste to Use in 2023

1. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (Popular Choice)

Sale
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Paste Features
  • 12.5W/(m·K) THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY - Very high...
  • EASY TO USE - A specially constructed spatula for...
  • LONG ACTION - Kryonaut thermal paste's unique...
  • OUTSTANDING RESULTS - Using this thermal solution...
  • TOP PERFORMING - Confirmed by multiple tests, the...

A popular choice for extreme gamers and overclockers.

Reasons to Buy

  • Long-lasting
  • Great performance
  • Designed for highly demanding applications
  • Easy to apply
  • Non-conductive

Reasons to Avoid

  • A bit expensive
  • It is hard to apply if kept at a low temperature.

Ideally designed for overclockers, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is unarguably a great option for performance enthusiasts. This non-corrosive and non-conductive paste is perfect for replacing your gritty and dried-out compound.

It delivers optimal thermal transfer for large-scale cooling systems, including water-cooled systems. This viscosity of Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut depends on the temperature this product is kept in.

Therefore, it is advised to put the tube in the ziplock bag and submerge it in warm water before applying it.

This enthusiast-grade product is worth buying and is the best choice if you are looking for a thermal replacement compound. There are plenty of reasons why this compound is the best thermal paste on the market.

2. Noctua NT-H1 (Best for Newbies)

Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste Features
  • Renowned premium-grade thermal compound for...
  • Easy to apply (no need to spread before heatsink...
  • For air and liquid coolers (DIY/AiO), can...
  • Trusted Noctua quality with excellent long-term...
  • 10g pack for around 9-60 applications (depending...

The best solution for newbies.

Reasons to Buy

  • Exceptional ease of use
  • Long-lasting
  • Ideal for 3 – 20 applications, depending on the CPU size
  • Safe to use

Reasons to Avoid

  • Conductivity is not that good when compared to the competition.
  • It is a bit odd-looking.

A renowned premium-grade thermal compound, Noctua NT-H1 is an excellent choice for optimal heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink. It comes in a hefty 3.5g package, and its storage time is up to 3 years.

This non-corroding and non-conductive product is at no risk of short-circuiting and is safe for all heatsinks. Counted amongst the best thermal paste out there, Noctua NT-H1 comes with superb long-term stability.

The recommended usage time of this thermal compound on the CPU is up to 5 years, which is a big plus for the performance-savvy. Be it CPU or GPU applications, air or water-based cooling, silent or overclocking systems.

NT-H1 has established itself as a benchmark for a premium-quality thermal compound by delivering excellent results.

3. Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut

Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut Paste Features
  • 11.8W/(m·K) THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY - Hydroanut is a...
  • EASY TO USE - A syringe and a specially...
  • LONG ACTION - Hydronaut exhibits high temperature...
  • GREAT RESUTLS - Using this thermal solution can...
  • GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY - Hydronaut is a...

A small-capacity Test Model.

Reasons to Buy

  • Easy to apply
  • Great density and thickness
  • Affordable

Reasons to Avoid

  • For one-time use only.
  • Not very spreadable.

Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut is introduced for the users who wish to use high-end grease reasonably and gives an excellent thermal transfer performance for overclocking.

This thermal compound is extraordinarily light and flexible, owing to the absence of Silicon. It comes with a special spatula for the convenient application of grease, and thus it can apply very easily on CPUs and GPUs.

This product comes with thermal conductivity of up to 11.8 W/mk. Its heat-resistant temperature falls in the range of -200° C to 350° C.

Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut supports long-term stability, all without curing. It shows its actual properties and capabilities in the cryogenic environment.

This compound is specifically introduced for users who are looking for large-scale cooling solutions.

4. SYY 4 grams CPU Paste

SYY CPU Thermal Compound Paste Features
  • SAFETY APPLICATION: SYY-157 is metal-free and...
  • BETTER THAN LIQUID METAL: It is composed of carbon...
  • THERMAL COMPOUND: SYY-157 thermal paste edition...
  • EASY TO APPLY: SYY thermal paste has ideal...
  • HIGH DURABILITY: In contrast to metal and silicon...

A metal-free non-conductive compound.

Reasons to Buy

  • Durability will last for at least eight years.
  • With an ideal consistency, it is easy to use even for newbies
  • Safety application
  • Optimized packaging

Reasons to Avoid

  • Overpriced
  • Fails to transfer heat above 90-degree Celcius.

The next one on the list of best thermal paste to use in 2023 is none other than SYY 4 Grams CPU Paste. This compound is composed of carbon micro-particles that guarantee the dissipation of the heat generated from CPUs or GPUs quickly and efficiently.

Excellent in performance, this product is even suitable for overclocking and ranks among the top thermal interface materials in the market.

With a thermal conductivity of 15.7W/mK, this product is better than the liquid metal and has enough stability to push the system to the limit.

SYY is a metal-free compound; therefore, it eliminates the risk of short-circuiting and adds more life to the CPU and VGA card. Moreover, its contact with electrical pins would not cause damage of any kind.

5. Cooler Master New Edition

Sale
Cooler Master New Edition Paste Features
  • Enhanced user experience design: exclusively...
  • High Conductivity: Range of thermal conductivity...
  • Thermal conductivity (w/m-k): 5
  • Specific Gravity (g/cmᶟ)(25℃): 2. 5
  • Volume (mL): 1. 5

A tremendous in-between thermal compound.

Reasons to Buy

  • User-friendly design
  • Excellent thermal conductivity
  • Ideal for all sorts of applications, be it CPU, GPU, or Delidding Chips.

Reasons to Avoid

  • A bit expensive.

It comes in the convenient 1.5-gram tube; Cooler Master New Edition MasterGel Regular is a good value pick.

Whether you are looking to replace your old thermal compound with a better brand or wish to overclock your graphics card, this product is an excellent choice for all.

Its flat-nozzle syringe design allows precise and even spread of thermal paste on the applications.

Its high conductivity aids heat transfer, and this product delivers excellent results in casual and overclocked systems.

What makes it the best thermal paste is its 2.6 specific gravity that ensures ease of use if kept at room temperature. It comes with thermal conductivity of 5 W/mk.

Its non-electrical conductive trait avoids any short-circuiting and makes it ideal for long-term use.

6. HY-883 (especially Designed for overclocking)

HY-883 Thermal Paste Features
  • Super carbon nano-grade super thermal conductive...
  • The CPU Thermal paste has ideal consistency and is...
  • Low thermal resistance, keep thermal compound...
  • Safety Application: thermal paste is metal-free...
  • Warranty and Service: Our products are covered by...

A product designed especially for the overclocking community.

Reasons to Buy

  • Strong insulation performance
  • Easy to use
  • Non-conductive

Reasons to Avoid

  • Avoid the product if you are looking for something warm.
  • It is pretty thin as compared to its competitors.

HY-883 is specially created to cater to the demanding needs of the overclocking community.

The best thermal paste contains zinc oxide and micronized aluminum that interpolates the evenness of the heat medium and delivers outstanding thermal conductivity.

It features low thermal resistance that keeps the paste state for a longer time. Its cost-effectiveness and high heat dissipation performance rank among the top thermal compounds, and therefore, it is an excellent choice among customers worldwide.

HY-883 uses carbon nanotube technology and is integrated with organic Silicon to multiply the strength and thermal conductivity.

This product stands out from the crowd because it complies with EU RoHS testing standards and has earned SGS Environmental Protection Certification.

There is no concern about the short-circuiting as this is electrically non-conductive.

7. Arctic MX-4 (Award-Winning Product)

Sale
ARCTIC MX-4 Thermal Paste Features
  • WELL PROVEN QUALITY: The design of our thermal...
  • EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE: ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste...
  • SAFE APPLICATION: The MX-4 is metal-free and...
  • 100 % ORIGINAL THROUGH AUTHENTICITY CHECK: Through...
  • EASY TO APPLY: With an ideal consistency, the MX-4...

An award-winning product at a competitive price.

Reasons to Buy

  • Easy to apply
  • User-friendly yet affordable
  • Value for money

Reasons to Avoid

  • Not as good as its competition.
  • Not suitable for overclocking.

If you search for the best thermal paste without burning a hole in your pocket, then Arctic MX-4 is undoubtedly a great choice. Introduced by one of the top-notch thermal paste manufacturers.

This product is highly versatile in its application and delivers superb results beyond imagination. Arctic MX-4 is always known for its premium quality, outstanding temperature reduction performance, and ideal consistency.

This product is 100% metal-free and is not electrically conductive; therefore, it is safe to use and eliminates the risk of short-circuiting. Moreover, it doesn’t compromise over time, and once applied, it will last for around 8 years.

If you are looking for a reliable product that can offer you solid outcomes, then get Arctic MX-4 now without thinking twice.

8. Thermalright TF-4

A thermal compound that pushes your system to its limit.

Reasons to Buy

  • Exceptional heat dissipation
  • Highly stable
  • Suitable for overclocking

Reasons to Avoid

  • Hard to clean
  • Very thick

With a thermal conductivity of 9.5W/mK, this compound instantly dissipates the heat generated from the system and thus ranks among the best thermal paste to use in 2023.

Thermalright TF-4 comes with an ideal consistency, and, therefore, it is simple to use, even for beginners.

The best part is that it doesn’t contain any metallic particles, and, therefore, electrical conductivity would not be an issue at all. It is a safe compound and will not cause damage of any sort.

TF-4 doesn’t compromise over time, and it lasts for up to 8 years, which is a good time. It comes with ideal consistency that makes this compound easy to apply, even for beginners. Therefore, it is the best way to fill the voids between the CPU and cooler.

9. ALSEYE Thermal Paste

ALSEYE Thermal Paste Features
  • 【High Thermal Conduction 】This processor...
  • 【Stability and reliability】:Smaller thermal...
  • 【Safe Application】: Thermal grease cpu is...
  • 【Easy to Use】: PC thermal paste is...
  • 【Invironment】: CPU paste practical packaging...

The best choice for the LAN partyers.

Reasons to Buy

  • High thermal conduction
  • Practical packaging
  • Safe application

Reasons to Avoid

  • Dry out quickly and thus requires reapplication

Born for gaming CPU coolers and ice processors, ALSEYE Thermal Paste is developed with thermally conductive filler particles that lead to the excellent performance of high-end circuitry systems.

It eliminates the risk of causing short-circuit and thus adds more safety to the applications. This best thermal paste is non-corrosive and, therefore, can be easily applied.

With a thermal conductivity of up to 13.5 W/mk, this thermal grease can work in a harsh environment with the intelligent factor.

The primary reason to add this compound to the list of top thermal paste is its thermal resistance which is less than 0.0025.

Owing to this factor, it allows your radiator to maintain the heat transfer process stably and efficiently.

10. Thermaltake TG-7

Thermaltake TG-7 Thermal Paste Features
  • Designed for Extreme Performance
  • Diamond powder included for improved thermal...
  • Longer lifespan over standard silicon-based...
  • Easy to apply

A thermal grease with diamond powder.

Reasons to Buy

  • Long life span
  • Improved thermal conductivity.
  • Delivers extreme performance.

Reasons to Avoid

  • The quantity is relatively less
  • Not suitable for high-performing systems.

Let’s wrap up the list of best thermal paste to use in 2023 with yet another premium product – Thermaltake TG-7.

Ideally developed for extreme performance, it contains diamond powder inside that accelerates its thermal conductivity, and it won’t crack out or dry out during usage.

It comes with a spreader through which you can easily apply the paste on the contact surface to maximize heat dissipation.

It eliminates the air gaps between the heat source and the heat sinks, leading to effective heat dissipation. Thermaltake TG-7 provides outstanding protection against CPU heat damage and thus, enhances the life of your system.

Due to the presence of the diamond powder, it has a longer lifespan than standard silicon-based compounds.

Our Thoughts

So, this is the precise list of the best thermal paste to choose from in 2023. The options are endless, but you must opt for the one that suits your budget and system requirements.

Before buying any of the above-mentioned thermal greases, look at your system needs and only then select the best option for the same.

Though all these options are worth buying, our choice is concerned; one must go for Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound.

This product is second to none and ideal for those looking for something out of the box. It provides excellent value for money and adds more life to your system.

You can’t go wrong with this thermal compound – it is ample for the majority of builds.

Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Josh Gate
Josh Gatehttps://www.okayreview.com
Josh Gate is a licensed technical expert and has offered his services to Okayreview.com for a long time. He profoundly loves new gadgets and is always eager to try out the latest technologies as soon as they roll out.

Related Articles

Latest Articles