Top-10

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

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

The best low thermal conductivity thermal pastes

3 KPT-8

KPT-8

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

Flaws:

• practically «zero» heat transfer;
• viscous, sticky texture.

2 Zalman ZM-STG2

Zalman ZM-STG2

Zalman is a very popular manufacturer of PC cooling systems. The company produces high-quality, but rather expensive coolers and radiators. Similarly, you can respond to the ZM-STG2 thermal paste. Price for a standard 3.5 gr. syringe is approximately equal to 420-450 rubles. A little expensive for a thermal conductivity of 4.1 W / mK. Operating temperatures are also not affected: from -40 to +150. Although, for most users, incl. owners of entry-level gaming computers or laptops, this is enough. In addition, extensive tests show 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 origin: reviews and tests claim that the difference between the Korean and Chinese versions can reach 20 degrees in favor of the first. We also note the low “stickiness” of thermal paste, which makes it difficult to apply it to the surface of a processor or video card.

Advantages:

• Good performance in real tests
• excellent quality

Flaws:

• Poor results of Chinese-made thermal paste
• It may be difficult to apply.

1 DEEPCOOL Z9

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 actually produced thermal paste for the needs of his own cooling systems. Thanks to its special composition, 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 an impulse — 4 W / mK may be too small to ensure peak overclocking of the filling.

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• 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

Glacialtech IceTherm II

Thermal paste, leaving only double sensations from the application. On the one hand, the thermal conductivity 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 good consistency;
• economical packaging.

Flaws:

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

3 Gelid GC-Extreme

Gelid GC-Extreme

The third generation thermal interface prepared by Gelid with high heat dissipation efficiency. The thermal conductivity of the composition is 8.5 W / mK, which leads to 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 spatula, 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;
• Comes with a spatula for easy application.

Flaws:

• intricate drawing;
• high price.

2 Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut

Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut

Most manufacturers in this rating work in a fairly narrow field of cooling systems. But Thermal Grizzly, a young German company, specializes exclusively in thermal interfaces, which has achieved excellent results. Aeronaut is the «younger» paste in the manufacturer’s line. Claimed 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 with inaccurate application, you do not risk shorting anything. Pleased with the declared operating temperatures: from — 150 to + 200 OC. In ordinary life, such resistance 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 performed well. In tests, the processor temperature is even lower than that of the rating leader. Let it be 0.2-0.3 degrees. We also attribute the ease of application to the pluses — 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
• Easy to apply

Flaws:

• The cost is above average.

1 Arctic Cooling MX-4

Arctic Cooling MX-4

Swiss-made thermal grease, very popular in the domestic Russian retail market. The use of Arctic Cooling MX-4 is very often addressed by service companies and private workshops, since 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 value of the first component of Arctic Cooling MX-4 is 8.5 W / mK, which allows the use of thermal paste in powerful computers and laptops. The loss of the useful properties of the composition begins when it reaches +160 degrees Celsius — not a maximum, but if there is a proper cooling system, it will not come to this.

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• high price.

The best high thermal conductivity thermal pastes

3 Prolimatech Nano Aluminum

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 does not reach the category leader, but it is noticeably ahead of the closest pursuers, like the Arctic Cooling MX-4. In general, thermal paste can be safely used in top-end gaming or work systems with powerful graphics cards that are constantly working 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 performance and the availability of packages with a capacity of 1-1.5 grams (which is quite enough for one-time use) at an affordable price. We also note that professional assemblers and service centers have the opportunity to immediately buy a 150-gram jar for 5 thousand rubles.

Advantages:

• Good performance
• Easy to apply
• There are packages from 1 to 150 grams

2 Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut

Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut

A couple of leaders are represented by Thermal Grizzly thermal pastes. Hydronaut is a mid-level thermal interface. At least that’s what the manufacturer thinks. Technical characteristics make it possible to attribute the product to the top segment. The declared thermal conductivity is 11.8 W / mK. The operating temperature range is even more striking than that of the Aeronaut discussed above: -200 — +350 OC. Operational parameters raise no objections. At idle, temperatures are fully comparable to the more “powerful” Kryonaut, and under stress, they are only half a degree higher. Thus, the thermal interface is perfect for overclockers with productive hardware.

The viscosity is slightly higher than that of Aeronaut, however, there should be no problems with applying to the desired surface — the fluidity is sufficient, and the spatula for smearing is in place. The only downside is the cost. But products of this level cannot be cheap, and the price / quality ratio is excellent.

Advantages:

• Characteristics sufficient even for overclocked hardware
• Convenient application

Flaws:

1 Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

One of the best thermal pastes for overclockers, used in the cooling systems of the most demanding computers and laptops. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is more focused on use in service centers, since one syringe contains 11 grams of the composition. In terms of technical characteristics, thermal paste should be given credit — the manufacturers managed to squeeze the maximum possible out of 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. Manufacturers foresaw the occurrence of problems with application, so they equipped the syringe with two applicators included in the kit. As a result, even taking into account the high cost, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is one of the best thermal pastes produced at the moment.

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• quite high price.

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

Метки: best, expert, greases, thermal