Top 15 Best Thermal Pastes 2023 – Everything You Need to Know

You might already be familiar with the tons of heat your computer system generates as you play your favorite AAA games or stream movies. Plus, you might also be aware that such systems are equipped with fans to help combat heat. Likewise, there is another notable technique used to maintain low temperatures. 

It is by applying a sufficient layer of thermal paste on the central processing units so it keeps the components cool while they process your data. A thermal paste/compound is a heat-conductive substance that dissipates heat while sitting between the components which are meant to be cooled.

Numerous brands in the market are producing plenty of thermal pastes that are made up of different components which eventually decide the paste’s effectiveness. 

This guide will introduce to you the top 15 thermal pastes in 2023 and discuss everything you need to know so that you immediately get to enhance your system’s performance and life. 

Now let’s get straight into discussing each of the top 15 thermal pastes that your CPU and GPU require when churning big chunks of data. Let’s start cooling!

This thermal paste compound is undoubtedly the best product you can find for your CPU in the market right now. 

The manufacturer states that the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is specially built for those who are involved in regular extreme gaming sessions or those who make the most of their systems via continuous computing. 

Because of having immense properties of conductivity, this substance right here is ideal for dissipation of heat eventually making its distinct place in our list of the top 16 thermal paste in 2023. 

The constituents of the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut offer outstanding chilling performance while limiting your graphical and processing units from getting too warmed.

This is made possible only due to the silicon chips found in Grizzly’s blend that help the paste in transferring heat even from cramped areas.

Once you own this paste, don’t worry about it conducting electricity as it is a non-conductive material. Meanwhile, it is known to be one of the most heat conductive blends with a rate of 12.5 W/mK. 

Another good side associated with the Grizzly Kryonaut is that it is super simple to apply and takes almost no time in settling. This paste is said to provide 3-4 degree lower temperatures than the other contenders. 

Moreover, it can maintain its durability even at 80 degrees without drying out. On the negative side, it is often found rare in local markets due to its increasing demand. 

Pros

• One of the best thermal conduction rates
• Easy to apply
• Fast settling time
• Not electrically conductive

Cons

• Often falls short in the markets

Next on the list is the Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut, an exceptional compound with great heat conductive properties based on liquid metal. It is an exceptional piece of product for users who want to maximize their system’s cooling efficiency.

Also, this heat-conductive paste is retailed in a handy package along with a nifty spout that enables you to maintain the spread of the Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Compound. 

Moreover, the packaging also offers you a cleaning kit containing two cotton swabs for settling the adhesive properly and alcohol wipes to wipe out in case of spillage.

It is recommended by the manufacturer to squeeze out a very small amount of product and paint it carefully over the entire surface as this thermal paste presents a chance of short-circuiting your system if not dealt with carefully. 

Furthermore, it is extremely important to note down that this product will not work on aluminum-covered components as it is a metallic-based paste. However, it is great for heat sinks made up of nickel-plated copper. 

This thermal paste has a mind-blowing rate of thermal conductivity reaching 73 W/mk, making it an amazing option for intense computing. 

Pros

• Highest thermal conductivity
• A great option for overclockers 
• Comes with a cleaning kit

Cons

• Can’t work with aluminum-based components

The Arctic Silver 5 AS5 is manufactured by an American Company known for making thermal conductive substances for machine components for decades.

Since evolving from a leading manufacturer, this paste is another outstanding heat-dissipating paste that can efficiently cool down your computer’s processors even when executing a very power-intensive task. 

The very well-engineered Arctic Silver 5 AS5 is composed of a mixture that contains 99.9% pure micronized Silver and sub-micron Zinc Oxide. Thanks to both the metals, this paste will effectively decrease an overheated system’s temperature by 6 to 12 degrees. 

Despite being entirely made off Silver chips, the paste’s compound is still ceramic-based. Therefore, you have to be very careful in applying the Arctic Silver 5 as spilling the compound on any other component can be hazardous. 

Moreover, unlike the Overall Best: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, this paste takes considerable time to completely burn-in. Hence, one should not expect quick results and let the compound settle in so that it initiates its cooling process in a satisfactory manner. 

Except for its cautious application procedure and settling time, the Arctic Silver AS5 is an excellent option as the best thermal paste in 2023. Once it sits properly between the heatsink and the component which is meant to be cooled, the paste works like a charm.

It is almost half as pricey as the top thermal paste of this list and also packs 2 times more mixture but is still perfect due to its high-end performance. 

Pros

• Packs in more products
• Inexpensive
• 99.9% Silver

Cons

• Requires setting time, will not work immediately
• Tricky Application

Next on the list of the best thermal pastes for 2023 is the Arctic MX-4 thermal paste which is quite famous for its relatively low price tag, longer lifespan, and easy application. 

The Arctic company has ensured that the compound contains no kind of electrical element so MX-4 remains free from conducting electricity that can lead to damage or short circulatory incident within the CPU. We suggest you clean off all the leftover products as a precaution no matter what the product contains.

The company also advertises the Arctic MX-4’s lifespan to be at least eight years, which is indeed a lot. Such a long period of durability is only because of the strong silver particles found within the blend. 

Not only this thermal paste is long-lasting but also requires almost no time for settling on its targeted component. The moment you squeeze the adhesive out of the syringe, it will start chilling your machine. 

The Arctic MX-4 will immediately cool down the overheated component, yielding an enhanced overall execution in no time. 

Unfortunately, the downside is that this product is not too viable for extreme overclockers. Users who like to make the most out of their computer systems will have to look for other thermal pastes in this list. 

Finally, retailing 4 grams of substance at a relatively inexpensive cost with 8.5 W/mK of thermal conductivity, this thermal paste is worth your consideration. The best thing about Arctic MX-4 which will certainly attract most of the gamers out there is its 8-year lifespan. 

Pros

• Long lifespan
• Inexpensive
• Easy application process
• Carbon-based compound elevates thermal conductivity

Cons

• Not sufficient for overclocking

The next thermal paste/compound that we are featuring in our list of the top 15 thermal pastes in 2023 is the ThermalRight TF8 cooling paste made of micro carbon particles that gives the compound an extremely high rate of thermal conductivity.

Just like many other thermal pastes, the ThermalRight TF8 cooling paste also carries no metal element hence curtailing any risk of short-circuiting within your system in case of spillage. 

As mentioned by its manufacturer, the paste has 8 years long life after application. This implies that you won’t have to get in the hassle of reapplying thermal compounds, again and again, every year.

With a thermal conductivity rate of up to 13.8 W/mK, ThermalRight TF8 remains the second most heat conductive paste on our list. Another good feature associated with this thermal paste is that it is simple to apply, thus ideal for beginners. 

If you are someone who is looking for a decent heat-conductive compound that easily sits between your CPU and heatsink to dissipate considerable amounts of heat at a time that you will not find anything better than the ThermalRight TF 8.

However, despite having an expensive price tag, this thermal paste retails an extra small quantity, pushing away most of its buyers. 

Pros

• 8-year long life
• No electrical conductivity
• Strong heat conductivity 

Cons

• Slightly expensive compared to the small tube

Noctua is a widely recognized brand for manufacturing excellent air cooling compounds to fit in almost any kind of machine and the Pro-Grade Noctua NT-H1 is also one of them. 

It would not be wrong to call this masterpiece the best thermal paste/compound for overclockers. It is an ideal solution for computer maniacs who like to test the extents of their GPUs or CPUs while the paste prevents the systems from overheating. 

Also to mention, Noctua NT-H1 can also prove to be a great bang for a buck for anyone new in the field of custom building their system. Unlike other contestants here, the Noctua paste is much drier and thicker, hence being ideal for those who do not want to get into the hassle of this sensitive task. 

Settling time is also equal to nothing. You will notice that the Noctua compound will immediately start drying up as soon as you push the syringe’s plunger inwards. 

Furthermore, a single application of this thermal compound on the CPU or GPU can last about 4 to 5 years. Also, this substance has a bigger shelf life compared to others, making it last for about three years if not more at normal temperatures and conditions. 

Consequently, this product is not only easy in application and inexpensive, but it is also effective and durable. However, the quantity that it offers is less compared to other thermal pastes that are retailed at the same price. 

Yet, Noctua NT-H1 is still an incredibly great-performing paste and is very easy to apply as well as remove.

Pros

• Considerable shelf life
• Easy removal and application
• Incredible overclocking performance

Cons 

• Low quantity

This specially built cooling paste by Cooler Master USA delivers an amazing chilling effect to the CPU or GPU even when processing at a PC’s maximum potential.

The MasterGel Maker Nano-High cooling thermal paste contains tons of nanodiamond particles that sustain through an array of extreme to low temperatures. This composition not only makes this paste durable but the tiny diamond particles are also good in terms of conductivity even in small places. 

Though this paste has been in the market for quite a long time, it still hasn’t lost its charm. However, you must consider that the MasterGel Maker paste has its own burning time. Hence, one has to wait for the paste to unravel after the application. 

Otherwise, the compound is very versatile and easy to use, especially for those who are experiencing a thermal paste for the first time. 

For further user comfort, the paste comes bundled with a CPU cleaning fabric that will help in cleaning dust from internal components so the application process becomes more effective. 

The only setback for people who are thinking of considering this thermal paste in 2023 is it’s over the expensive price tag and that it has a relatively short shelf life of hardly 2 years. However, the thermal conductivity rate of 11 W/mK and the nanodiamond composition makes up for it. 

Pros

• High thermal conductivity 
• Unique nanodiamond composition
• Easy to use
• CPU cleaner included with the package

Cons

• Short shelf life
• Requires burning time

The GC-Extreme conductive paste by GELID Solutions is the most ideal product for extreme users. It can withstand temperatures as high as 180°C and possesses a thermal conductivity rate of up to 8.5 W/mK which makes the paste a perfect product for extreme uses.

With this, the paste ensures zero electrical conductivity to its users so their systems don’t catch fire in case of slight spillage. 

Despite being a powerful non-conductor of electricity, the GELID GC-Extreme superbly conducts heat, hence doing wonders to your CPU or GPU immediately after applying. 

Its composition is noncorrosive and nontoxic which doesn’t cure making the paste an incredible compound that is easy to clean or remove. The manufacturer has also guaranteed users of the paste’s five-year-long shelf life. 

However, there are a few downsides; for example, the package retails far too little quantity of product within the mentioned price. Despite being mentioned as non-corrosive, the paste sometimes turns out to be corrosive.

Otherwise, the GELID GC-Extreme is an exceptional conductive paste that comes bundled with a nifty spreader.

Pros

• Comes with a handy spreader
• Extra sufficient shelf life 

Cons 

• Expensive
• Limited quantity

The Cooler Master HTK-002 cooling paste features a unique silicon-based composition that enhances the CPU/GPU chilling process at an incredible rate.

Thanks to the versatility of this thermal paste, the cooling compound sits perfectly on different types of components be that GPUs, CPUs or motherboards, chipsets, or even VGA Cards. 

The application procedure is also very simple even for users with little or no knowledge. As mentioned above, its distinct composition helps the paste to settle evenly and smoothly all over, giving a remarkable cooling effect required for prime-level execution. 

The unusual card-shaped spreader which comes along with the paste further assists in the applying process. It also carries Zif Socket Templates within the box that ensure correct application. 

However, many users have pointed out its simple design and have asked the manufactory to review Cooler Master HTK-002 cooling paste’s packing and structure. Moreover, just like the Nano-High paste mentioned previously, this paste has a shelf life of up to 2 years. 

Other than these setbacks, the paste has no such drawbacks and offers you excellent value for money with a comfortable application process. 

Pros

• Easy applications
• Comes bundled with a unique spreader and templates
• Good value for money

Cons 

• Outdated design 
• Insufficient shelf life 

Though the name of this thermal paste in 2023 doesn’t suggest its composition, the Thermaltake TG-7 Paste comes with crushed crystals of synthetic diamonds in it with a thermal conductivity rate of 4.7 W/mK.

These tiny diamond particles help the paste to reach even the smallest places within a system’s component, improving the overall temperature and hence enhancing processing efficiency.

You will also admire the longevity of this product which comes with a year full of warranty and stays firmly settled, wherever applied, for at least five years. If you are someone who has no or minimal knowledge of applying heat conductive pastes, this is not going to be an issue with the TG-7 Extreme Performance Thermaltake cooling paste.

Furthermore, it is very simple to wipe out this paste than it is to apply, by only a single or sometimes two strokes of a damp towel or wet cloth. Also, it neither cracks, nor cures. 

Coming to the cons of Thermaltake TG-7 paste, it doesn’t have many bad sides on its plate except that it is not too good with very high-performing computer systems.  

In a nutshell, it’s the supporting apparatus bundled together and the ease of application making this paste a competent contestant for others within this list of the top 15 thermal pastes in 2023.

Pros

• 1-year warranty
• Longevity
• Easy to remove

Cons

• Not adequate for high-performing systems

If you are someone who is in search of a premium design thermal paste that you can not find anything better than the Cooler Master’s new Nano-Tech edition. The paste is made up of a greased-based compound that restricts all computing processes to remain at low temperatures forever. 

Its grease-based supporting compound contains nanodiamond particles which enables it to take care of high-temperature ranges and its thermal conductivity range to reach 5 W/mK.

On the other hand, Cooler Master’s super fitting viscosity and a flat mouthed syringe make it easy to apply and spread evenly all over the component that is meant to be chilled. The removal process is also simple due to the same properties. 

Another bright side to this charming-looking paste is that it is very affordable compared to other thermal pastes with mere obsolete structures and designs. 

However, you might face an excess amount of greasy substance coming out of its flat nozzle while you squeeze out the adhesive. This situation can turn into a menace thus we recommend you to keep an extra cloth while application. 

Pros

• Well designed nozzle
• Super comfortable application

Cons

• Extra greasiness

Another good option to contend amongst the top 15 thermal pastes in 2023 is the Corsair XTM50 cooling compound/paste based on a zinc oxide composition. The extremely low measure of its viscosity enables Corsair to settle over the channel in no time. 

The manufacturer also packs in an extra applicatory treat for users including a stencil and spreader which further assists in settling the extra viscous paste properly on the desired component.

This paste has a thermal conductivity rating of 5 W/mK which is not the highest in this list but sufficient enough to support optimum level computing. The low thermal impedance value of this paste further assists in efficiently accomplishing extremely low CPU temperatures. 

The Corsair Thermal Paste is less vulnerable to cracking or facing any changes over time, thanks to its great deal of longevity that makes it the most reliable option so far. 

This paste is also non-conductive towards electricity as well as non-volatile, hence an ideal product for better processing as it stays cool even after a long-running session. 

Undoubtedly the content’s nature enables Corsair to fill even microscopic fixtures and gaps but makes the application process a bit tricky, especially for beginners who might not know how to spread the compound properly 

Pros

• Easy to settle
• Includes application stencil and spreader

Cons

• Tricky application

For intense gamers looking for a budget thermal paste, the Liquid Ultra Thermal paste by Cool-Laboratory is the right option. Just like the recent paste above, the CoolLaboratory Liquid Ultra cooling compound is grease-based made up of 100% metal. 

Due to its composition, this best thermal paste in 2023 allows us to enjoy our hardcore gaming sessions to another level of performance. 

With an astonishing thermal conductivity rate of up to 38.4 W/mK, the paste aids in lowering down temperatures of your overheated system in an incredible manner. Till now, the CoolLaboratory Liquid Ultra is one of the top metal liquid cooling paste in terms of thermal conductivity. 

Also, this exceptional piece right here is very gooey making the application super simple for anyone. The gooey nature of this paste will assist you in applying it with much better control. 

For further assistance, its traditional-looking syringe is packed with a brush to remove any extra product in case of spillage. 

Despite its affordable price tag, the CoolLaboratory Liquid Ultra holds the potential of dropping your system’s temperature by a whopping 22°C. Isn’t that mind-blowing? 

If you look at the setbacks of this thermal paste, then firstly, being a 100% metallic substance, this paste tends to be highly corrosive. Hence we suggest you only apply the paste on Nickel-plated materials and not on any such component that’s made of aluminum. Also, as this paste is viscous, you will get a better grip, but the application might be a bit tricky. 

Pros

• Surprisingly high thermal conductivity 
• Affordable
• Cleaning brush included

Cons

• Highly corrosive 
• Not compatible with aluminum

The Antec Thermal Paste delivers users an amazing rate of thermal conductivity reaching 11W/mK, which is way better than many thermal pastes retailed at an affordable price tag. 

Additionally, this thermal paste is resistant to the environment, offering you perfect execution even in severe weather conditions. 

With super-efficient tools that cone along with this Antec thermal paste becomes an even more ideal option for beginners who would now undergo a much hassle-free experience.

However, don’t use the paste as an adhesive as it is not that super-adhesive as publicized by the manufacturer.

Also, this thermal paste is made of a non-conductive formula which gives it corrode-less qualities and safer for your system.

As to convince you entirely with your decision of purchasing it, Antec Thermal Paste is highly durable, non-volatile, and odorless. 

Moreover, the adequate volume of 3.5 grams in the Antec Syringe will sit perfectly with any type of CPU, made of any material, thanks to its non-conductive type of composition.

Pros

• Great heat conductivity
• Not electrically conductive
• Non-corrosive
• Durable
• Affordable

Cons

• Not as sticky as advertised 

Finally, the last product among the top 15 thermal paste in 2023, but certainly not the least. Yet again, we witness a product by Cooler Master, an industry giant when it comes to system cooling. 

Whether you want to test your graphics card to its extreme or replace the formerly settled cooling paste with a much better option, the Master Gel Pro V2 is a great all-rounder choice for everyone. 

Coming in a traditional 1.5-gram syringe, which is plenty to cover your entire LGA or AMD chip, the MasterGel Pro V2 is a good value option.

Its composition is high-quality, the thermal conductivity rate of up to 9 W/mK is decent, and painting it on the desired component is a sinch. 

High thermal conductivity even in tiny places is ensured by the splendid composition of this thermal paste which includes nanodiamond particles.

Though the particle might corrode a bit of your component, the high thermal dissipation makes up for it. 

Its 2.6 g/cm³ of specific gravity ensures the quick and complete application of the paste if kept at room temperature. Cooler Master also provides its users a cleaning cloth in the syringe box.

Pros

• Decent heat dissipation
• Great specific gravity
• Comes with a cleaning kit

Cons

• Nano-diamond composition causes corrosion 

Buying Guide: How to Choose a Thermal Paste

Many people aren’t aware of the importance of keeping their systems cool. Lowering down the temperature of your computer architecture helps in boosting its efficiency that eventually increases the processor’s lifespan. 

There are multiple ways to help chill your system and one of such is a small but potent method, applying a thermal paste to components that are meant to be cooled while you spend your computing hours comfortably. 

Buying this heat-conductive paste is not as simple as it seems. One has to consider more than a few key factors before choosing the best thermal paste in 2023.  

For assistance, we have briefly discussed a few essential aspects that you need to consider before choosing the best-fitting product from the top 15 thermal pastes in 2023 listed above. 

Density 

As you might already be aware that density is related to how thick or thin a substance is. You might be wondering why the thickness of a thermal paste is crucial while choosing the best one.

Well, it is indeed important. The thicker the thermal compound will be the better it will work. Not just that, but a denser compound is also much easier to control which eventually helps you in making the application process simpler. 

However, if you are a beginner, then it’s way better to go with 2-gram less dense, more viscous content so that you can easily spread it on the targeted area with the help of a spatula or spreader.

Professional users on the other hand would like to test their systems to extremes. Hence, we recommend going with a dense composition.

Storage Time

Many people believe in stocking basic items at home beforehand so they don’t have to rush to get those in times of need.

If you are also one of such people, you must check the storage life of the thermal paste that you intend to buy.

It is highly recommended to purchase a paste that possesses at least two years of shelf life.

Also, make sure that the cooling compound that you apply to your computer hasn’t dried out.

A dehydrated thermal paste loses all of its cooling characteristics and thus is proscribed to use as it can severely damage a component. 

Type of Composition

Checking the type of composition of any thermal paste that you are looking forward to purchasing and assuming its outcomes is also very crucial.

Usually, there are two main types of thermal pastes/compounds. One is conductive while the other is not. 

The conductive ones are always metallic-based and should be dealt with utmost vigilance to minimize the risks of spillage.

Along with being highly conductive to electricity, such a paste can corrode your system’s circuitry. 

If your CPU cooling heatsink is made of aluminum, note that applying a metallic-based paste will start a very hazardous reaction, corroding the aluminum away. 

Thus, it is necessary to either replace the heatsink with a nickel-plated copper heatsink or do not apply a corrosive paste in the first place. 

On the split end, thermal pastes based on ceramic, silicon, and zinc are non-corrosive which you can use for any sort of applications without chances of short-circuiting your computer components.

However, liquid metallic compounds are much better at dissipating heat. 

Grammage

Different thermal pastes of different sizes and volumes are retailed for different prices. What volume syringe will best fit you directly depends on your use. 

If you want to apply the thermal paste on your AMD or Intel CPUs, you should go for a product that retails lesser volume syringes.

Otherwise, if you have to use it on multiple systems then you certainly need one with more grammage. 

Some of you might be thinking of storing the left content and reusing it after some time when the initial application cracks out.

The answer to this is simple. It’s not sensible to reuse a cooling compound once opened. 

Usually, such compounds tend to expire soon after getting exposed to the atmosphere as they lose their cooling capacity. 

Hence, we recommend going with a 1 or 2-gram syringe if you intend to apply it on a usual size LGA 1151 socket or AM4 chips. For thread rippers or LGA 2066 CPUs, you should go with a bigger syringe that carries at least 3 grams of paste. 

Other Important Tips 

After considering these four essential aspects before purchasing any thermal paste, one should also look for secondary features such as the compound’s longevity, its application experience, bundled cleaning kits, and customer reviews. 

Firstly, don’t forget to find out whether or not your chosen product is handy enough to settle adequately even if you have no former knowledge of applying a thermal compound. Also, ensure that the product includes some extra helping tools like a spreader or controlling spatula that further aids you in your initial experience. 

Secondly, do bear in mind to check for its removal characteristics. Though reapplication of such compounds isn’t required too early, it is still good to consider a paste’s removal process beforehand so you could easily wipe it out when the time comes. 

Of course, everyone wants such a product that lasts longer and continues doing its work without a need for frequent changing. Therefore, do ensure that your chosen thermal paste has a greater life span. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Should You Buy a Thermal Paste or a Thermal Pad? 

Thermal pastes/compounds have always turned out to function well than a more handy but less efficient thermal pad.

Thermal pads can accompany you if you are more into light gaming. They have a hassle-free application process and are much more user-friendly than a cooling paste.

However, if you are someone who tests their computer system to the peak of its capability, then cooling pads won’t support you for long.

So, if you require a cooling agent for everyday usage then the thermal pad is the right option for you, or else go with a thermal paste to achieve maximum cooling efficiency. 

How Much Thermal Paste Should You Use for the CPU? 

Using a conservative technique, a small amount will do the work and is quite better than going too much and making a mess. A small blob of thermal paste is more than enough and is spread properly.

Aiming for about the size of a small garden pea right at the center of the processing chip and spreading it evenly across the top is the only correct and recommended way. 

Wrap-Up

We hope to have succeeded to take you out of this tricky chore of choosing the best thermal paste.

All the top 15 thermal pastes in 2023 listed above are valuable pieces that are worth spending for if you want your computer system to work at its fullest efficiency. 

All things considered, if you are a passionate gaming enthusiast, then there are just a few products to serve you in the best way possible. They are the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut and the Conductonaut. Why? Because of their super amazing specifications which together offer you the best cooling effect one could get no matter how you test your system. 

Whatever thermal paste you purchase, don’t forget to apply it carefully to the intended component.

Also, keep in mind the necessary aspects that you must check before spending your money. 

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