Best Thermal Compound for Your PC Build
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Gelid GC-Extreme Thermal Compound -
Prolimatech Pk-1 Nano Aluminum Thermal Compound -
Tuniq TX-4 1ml Heat Conducting Thermal Compound -
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound -
ARCTIC MX-4 Carbon Based High Performance Thermal Compound -
Buyer's Guide
I've been overclocking computers for over fifteen years and I can tell you first hand that thermal compounds have come a long way in that time. They are an important component of any computer build as it can make the difference between a heatsink or water-block installation that is outstanding or one that is merely average. The compounds for this list are all non-conductive pastes so problems such as shorting out your CPU or other components will not be an issue. All of them also have very high thermal conductivity for good heat transfer as well as yielding low delta temperatures (Delta T) under CPU stress testing; delta T is the amount in degrees of temperature rise above CPU idle temperatures exhibited by the CPU when at one hundred percent load. All of the best thermal compounds in 2022 on my list have Delta T ratings of no more than 33 degrees Celsius. Finally, all of them are formulated to be convenient to apply and easy to clean up.
Comparing the Best Thermal Compound for 2022
Gelid GC-Extreme Thermal Compound - Best Thermal Compound Overall
This is a top performing thermal paste from highly respected Gelid and the winner of numerous industry awards. It's rated at a conductivity of eight point five watts per meter kelvin (8.5 w/m*k) which places it at top of class. Keep in mind, it's a little thicker consistency than some of the other compounds on my list, so it's a little harder to apply, but all-in-all it's still quite acceptable. It is sold in 3.5 gram tube and comes with an applicator made of flexible plastic.
Prolimatech Pk-1 Nano Aluminum Thermal Compound - Runner Up
This is a best of the best thermal compound from top tier Proilmatech. This paste is fairly thick and so is a little harder to apply so it's recommended you warm the paste before applying it to ease spreading. It is rated at a top notch thermal conductivity of eleven point two watts per meter kelvin (11.2 w/m*k) which is considered excellent. It is non-corrosive and non-electrically conductive and is said require no burn-in time for top performance. Available in five gram packages, this best of class performing compound is well worth consideration if you don't mind a little more involved application process.
Tuniq TX-4 1ml Heat Conducting Thermal Compound - Honorable Mention
This fine offering from Tunig is rated at a thermal conductivity of six point five watts per meter kelvin (6.5 w/m*k) and in tests performs among the best of the best. It's sold with a hard plastic applicator and although the paste isn't hard to apply, it would be easier if the applicator were more flexible. It's non-conductive and non-corrosive, thus protecting components in your PC from damage along with a low bleed under pressure for a longer effective life. All-in-all, this is a great offering whose sole downside is not the compound itself, but the applicator that it's packaged with.
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - Consider
Arctic Sliver is an old and highly respected name among overclockers the world over. This is their top offering and it is known for its easy application process and its top of class performance. It uses sliver particles in its formula which has among the highest thermal conductivity of any material known to man. It has a conductivity rating of nine watts per meter kelvin (9.0 w/m*k) and testing shows its reputation is well deserved with thermal performance within one degree of the very best performing compounds. It's non-corrosive and non-electrically conductive so it won't harm computer components and is easy to remove after use.
ARCTIC MX-4 Carbon Based High Performance Thermal Compound - Best Thermal Compound
This is a great compound from Arctic Cooling although it's a thick paste and isn't as easy to apply as some of the other pastes to make our list. It's offered in five gram packages and rated at a thermal conductivity of eight point five watts per meter kelvin (8.5 w/m*k) placing it among the best thermal pastes. In tests it performance is not quite as good as the best performing compounds but it remains near the top of the heap. It is non-conductive and non-corrosive so it won't harm sensitive PC components. If bang for your buck is one of your top priorities, this offering deserves a close look.
Buyer's Guide
Keep Your Computer Cool with Best Thermal Compound
Generally, thermal compound comes pre-applied along with coolers but some PC enthusiasts like to take temperatures into their own hands. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help them get to the best thermal compound in 2021.
How Does a Thermal Compound Work?
A thermal compound is also popularly known as a thermal paste or thermal grease. This is a heat-conductive substance that is meant for cooling down the system. It’s applied between the heatsink and the device to improve conductivity between them so the heatsink can dissipate extra energy and heat that the processor generates.
Thermal compounds help in maintaining a healthy working temperature for your system and prevent overheating. Computer components like heatsink, CPU, and coolers have certain imperfections that let air trap inside them.
And as air is a poor heat conductor, it can seriously affect the heatsink’s performance. Thermal compounds get into these tiny spaces and smooth them out to enable efficient heat transfer.
Things to Consider Before Buying Thermal Compound
There are always some things to consider when buying a thermal paste for your pc, some listed below:
Viscosity and Density
To smoothen the application process, you need to consider a thermal paste that has the right density. The right density will slip and squeeze into the right spots easily. Your thermal liquid compound should have a lower density than the normal ones.
Moreover, the thicker and viscous your thermal compound is, the better. This gives the compound look and feel like a paste that can stick more effectively. Lower viscosity means a more liquid-y consistency that can easily flow through to parts and areas that you don’t want the paste to leak into.
Thermal Conductivity
The paste you choose should have a proper thermal conductivity level so that it can offer reliability and high versatility to keep your computer at safe temperature levels. Every thermal compound has its unique thermal conductivity rating that shows its efficiency in transferring heat from the processor to the heatsink.
Liquid thermal paste usually has conductivity at 70W/mK whereas non-metallic compounds are somewhere between 4 to 10W/mK. As a simple rule, the higher the thermal conductivity rating, the better your compound is at heat conduction.
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
The TDP is the amount of power your processor uses. TDP is used to estimate the highest temperatures your CPU is going to get when in use. Higher TDP processors will likely be using more power and ultimately generating more heat.
You need to determine the amount of heat that the thermal compound will be handling to buy the right one that can keep your system cool and functioning at its best.
Conductive or Non-Conductive
Some thermal conductive compounds can also conduct electricity. They can be dangerous to work with because there could easily be harmful short circuit accidents. You need to pick a thermal compound that is carbon-based and won’t conduct electricity.
How Long Does Thermal Compound Last?
The thermal compound you buy must have a shelf life of two years at least. Many manufacturers claim that their thermal pastes will last four to five years in the tube but in actuality, the life is no more than two to three years.
Thermal pastes and compounds are made of substances that dry out over time. This is why you should always buy the quantity that will get used within some months of the purchase.
Having said that, some high-end pastes do come with a shelf life of up to seven years. You should regularly check if the thermal paste stored has expired or not after 2 years. You can do so by spreading a small quantity on a metallic surface to see its consistency and smoothness. If it’s clumpy, separated, or waterier, discard it.
How to Apply Thermal Compound?
The first step before applying the thermal compound is to insert the CPU in the proper socket on the motherboard of your computer. Then put a small dot of the thermal compound as tiny as a small ball bearing or pea in the center of the CPU. Then press down the component on the dot and lock it in place.
The dot will spread underneath the component in all directions. You can always check if the thermal paste has evenly spread out or not by lifting the component. If it’s not right, simply mop it up and reapply the paste.
You can just as easily remove the thermal compound. Wipe the paste with a lintless microfiber cloth to avoid creating any small holes for air to get trapped and hinder the conduction of heat.
What Happens If You Put Too Much Thermal Compound?
Putting too much thermal paste on your CPU components sure is harmful and the degree of harm is dependent upon the quality of the thermal compound as well.
If the paste is intended to be applied in abundance, then you’re good to go. But if it’s not, applying large quantities can make it act as an insulator rather than a conductor of heat energy. This will make the thermal paste completely ineffective. You can also end up damaging the components by excessive heat and frequent overheating.
Conclusion
Thermal pastes are a great way to enhance the performance of your computer without making any major investments. You can keep your computer safe from overheating and damage. The application is easy as well.
Make sure that you’re considering the important factors highlighted in this guide before you purchase a thermal compound. Some simple cautions taken during application and in storing the product can have you make the most out of the thermal compound.
Best Thermal Compound FAQs
Some commonly asked questions are:
Q: How often should you reapply thermal compound?
A: It should be according to need. For best results, reapply after every couple of years.
Q: Do you really need a thermal compound?
A: Thermal compounds aren’t a necessity but they significantly increase the performance and lifespan of your processor.
Q: Will too much thermal paste overheat?
A: Yes. Using ample amounts of thermal compound can end up turning it into an insulator and overheating the system.
