10 best thermal grease
Thermal grease is a special thermally conductive material that is designed to improve the transfer of high temperatures from the process to the radiator substrate. Therefore, it is important to choose high quality. If the thermal conductivity of the thermal paste is too small, the processor will start to overheat, and despite the activity of the cooler. We have compiled a rating of the top 10 models of thermal paste, which are suitable for both gaming and conventional computers.
Top thermal grease rating
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
| The best thermal grease with low thermal conductivity (up to 5 W / mK) | 1 | Noctua NT-H1 | 350 ₽ |
| 2 | Deepcool Z9 | 230 ₽ | |
| 3 | Thermalright Chill Factor III | 318 ₽ | |
| 4 | Zalman ZM-STG2 | 420 ₽ | |
| 5 | KPT-8 | 61 ₽ | |
| The best thermal compound of average conductivity (from 6 to 10 W / mK) | 1 | Gelid GC-Extreme | 270 ₽ |
| 2 | Arctic Cooling MX-4 | 610 ₽ | |
| 3 | Glacialtech IceTherm II | 600 ₽ | |
| The best thermal grease with high thermal conductivity (from 10 W / mK) | 1 | Coollaboratory Liquid Pro | 1 050 ₽ |
| 2 | Thermal grizzly kryonaut | 490 ₽ |
The best thermal grease with low thermal conductivity (up to 5 W / mK)
Noctua NT-H1
Rating: 4.8
Why the first place: Durable, good thermal conductivity and low price.
Description: In the NT-H1 thermal grease, Noctua has used several proprietary developments. In fact, it is a hybrid compound that includes various microparticles for better thermal conductivity and minimal heat resistance.
Therefore, thermal grease for a long time retains the temperature and performance properties. Quite thick, but due to good stickiness it is easy to apply in thin layers. Thermal grease is packed in 3.5 ml syringes with a screw cap, which does not allow the substance to dry out during prolonged storage.
Thermal conductivity of thermal paste - 4.5 W / mK. Suitable for office and home computers, as well as some gaming with an overclocked processor.
Virtues
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Sticky consistency;
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Convenient packaging with a screw cap;
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Keeps heat-conducting properties for a long time;
disadvantages
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It may seem too thick;
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Relatively low peak operating temperature (110 degrees);
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Relatively low recommended operating temperature (90 degrees);
Deepcool Z9
Rating: 4.7
Why second place: More expensive leader rating, has a lower thermal conductivity.
Description: Universal thermal grease with a thermal conductivity of 4 W / mK. Suitable for various computers - home, office, etc. It can also be used in laptops of average performance.
In the production of thermal paste Deepcool used several proprietary technologies, so that it has a high ductility and good durability (retains thermal conductivity for a long time). It dries slowly, which is worth considering when using.
It is packaged in a syringe with a capacity of 3 ml. The kit includes a special spatula for applying thermal paste.
Virtues
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Rich equipment;
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It removes heat well (there is a decrease in processor temperature by 6-8 degrees) and at the same time it retains thermal properties for a long time;
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Easy to apply;
disadvantages
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It dries for a long time, incl. on the processor;
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Less stickiness than its predecessor;
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Low turnover;
Thermalright Chill Factor III
Rating: 4.6
Why the third place: Thermal conductivity 3.5 W / mK.
Description: Thermalright Chill Factor III thermopaste uses a proprietary formulation that implies fewer silicone oils than its counterparts. That is why it evaporates more slowly, maintaining optimum thermal conductivity for a long time.
Thermal grease is supplied in a 4 ml syringe. The kit also includes a special spatula card that greatly simplifies applying a thin layer of the substance to the processor. It is enough to squeeze out a little paste, then hold a card - and it will be spread evenly over the heating chip.
The thermal conductivity of a substance is 3.5 W / mK. This is enough for most home and office computers, but in gaming configurations or laptops, it is desirable to use other solutions.
Virtues
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Rich equipment;
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Plastic and easy to apply;
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Very simple application;
disadvantages
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The application card needs to be washed;
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More expensive than other models in the rating;
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Must be stored in tightly closed packaging;
Zalman ZM-STG2
Rating: 4.6
Why fourth place: Pretty expensive, but excellent thermal conductivity.
Description: Zalman ZM-STG2 is one of the best thermal grease on the market. It is capable of reducing the CPU temperature by 10-15 degrees, depending on the cooler used. By the way, Zalman puts it in the delivery of their middle class cooling systems.
Thermal conductivity of thermal paste is 4.1 W / mK. Operational parameters are stored for a long time. It is delivered in the syringe with a capacity of 3.5 ml. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not put spatulas or brushes for application.
When choosing it is worth considering that this thermopaste is often forged. Therefore, there is a risk of "running into" counterfeit.
Virtues
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High thermal conductivity;
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Keeps properties for long;
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High efficiency;
disadvantages
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It is badly applied as it has a very thick texture;
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No spatula or brush for application in the kit;
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Relatively expensive;
KPT-8
Rating: 4.5
Why fifth place: Inefficient, but economical and versatile.
Description: Thermopaste KPT-8 is a standard for budget and office computers. The thermal conductivity of this interface is 0.65 W / mK, as a result of which it is not very suitable for multi-core processors with high heat generation.
The main advantage of this thermal paste is ease of application. In fact, even a spatula is not required for smearing - the perfect consistency, moderately thick and moderately sticky, allows you to position a thin interface layer on the surface of the processor with any other handy objects.
In addition, it permanently retains its heat-conducting properties and dries out slowly. Even if the computer is idle for years, the substance does not change its consistency.
Virtues
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Easy to apply;
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The cheapest in the ranking;
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Keeps its properties for a long time;
disadvantages
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Low thermal conductivity;
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Definitely not suitable for laptops;
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It copes poorly with the abstraction of high temperatures;
The best thermal compound of average conductivity (from 6 to 10 W / mK)
Gelid GC-Extreme
Rating: 4.9
Why first place: Professional thermal grease with a thermal conductivity of 8.5 W / mK.
Description: One of the most reliable thermopaste in the market. Specially selected composition for a long time maintains the performance of the interface, while maintaining elasticity and not drying out even under the influence of extremely high temperatures. Also due to its consistency, it is easy to apply and remove.
Thermal grease is packaged in a syringe, the package includes 1 gram of the substance. Unfortunately, a spatula or similar tool for applying it did not put. It is enough capacity of the syringe for laying of the thermal interface on 1-2 computers.
Due to the thermal conductivity of 8.5 W / mK, thermal grease is suitable for use with gaming processors.
Virtues
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High thermal conductivity;
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Excellent combination of price and quality;
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For a long time keeps elasticity;
disadvantages
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High viscosity, requires accuracy and calmness in the application;
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Only 1 gram per syringe;
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It is better to warm up before applying;
Arctic Cooling MX-4
Rating: 4.8
Why second place: High thermal conductivity, but unstable when working with high temperatures.
Description: Thermal paste Arctic Cooling MX-4 is designed for solutions with a productive cooling system. In combination with a powerful cooler, this interface is fully capable of maintaining the temperature of the processor at 40-50 degrees - and even multicore gaming or overclocked chips.
The thermal conductivity of this thermal paste is 8.5 W / mK. The substance is supplied in a syringe with a capacity of 4 ml. Poor grade - no spatula or card for the application.
Virtues
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High thermal conductivity;
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Reliability;
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Optimum viscosity for application and removal;
disadvantages
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Not suitable for chips operating at constantly high temperatures (video cards, for example);
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Relatively expensive;
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When thermal loads stratified and loses performance;
Glacialtech IceTherm II
Rating: 4.7
Why the third place: Cheap, but at the same time thermal conductivity is slightly lower than nominal.
Description: Glacialtech IceTherm II thermal grease is suitable for laptops and gaming computers with non-overclocked processors. Its nominal thermal conductivity is about 8.1 W / mK, but the actual value is slightly lower. Therefore, it is able to cool the processor by 10-15 degrees in comparison with the stock thermal paste supplied with most coolers.
Thermal grease comes in a syringe. Amount of substance - 1.5 grams. The syringe is supplemented with a screw cap, and the scope of delivery includes a special spatula for applying thermal paste.
An important advantage of thermal paste is a convenient consistency, sufficiently liquid for application, but not enough for spreading. Does not require polymerization, does not stratify at high temperatures.
Virtues
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Does not stratify on high-temperature chips (for example, on a video card);
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The high heat conductivity remaining for a long time;
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Good equipment;
disadvantages
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Thermal conductivity does not match the stated;
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Relatively expensive for thermal paste with aluminum powder;
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There is little thermal paste in the syringe, enough for 1-2 applications;
The best thermal grease with high thermal conductivity (from 10 W / mK)
Coollaboratory Liquid Pro
Rating: 4.9
Why first place: Professional thermal grease based on liquid metal with maximum thermal conductivity.
Description: Thermal paste Coolance air Liquid Pro is a professional solution because it has the highest thermal conductivity in the rating of 80 W / mK. This is due to the unique composition of the substance. Thermal grease is made on the basis of liquid metal without hard inclusions and silicone oils, so that not only has the highest possible thermal conductivity, but also maximum durability.
Thermal grease retains its operational properties for several years even with constant exposure to high temperature. Therefore, it is suitable for use in high-performance laptops, video cards, overclocked processors and liquid cooled systems.
The delivery includes a syringe with 1 g of thermal paste, as well as special cotton swabs and a sponge for applying the substance.
Virtues
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Maximum thermal conductivity;
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Rich equipment;
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For a long time it keeps thermal and operational qualities;
disadvantages
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Hard to apply;
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Chemically aggressive.Only suitable for radiators with a copper plate on the base. It reacts with aluminum;
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Electrical conductivity;
Thermal grizzly kryonaut
Rating: 4.8
Why the second place: Less thermal conductivity than the previous model, but also greater ease of use.
Description: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is a traditional thermal grease based on silicone oils and metal particles. However, the special composition of this substance provides a high thermal conductivity, a component of 12.5 W / mK, and good durability. Thermal grease retains its thermal and performance qualities even a few years after use.
Therefore, it is suitable for gaming computers, including systems with an overclocked processor and liquid-cooled, as well as high-performance laptops and video cards. Thermal grease is supplied in syringes with a capacity of 1 and 5 grams, a plastic spatula is always included in the kit for accurate distribution of the substance on the processor surface.
Virtues
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Thermal conductivity. The highest in the segment of metal-silicone thermal interfaces;
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Easy to apply and remove;
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Suitable for overclocked processors and video cards, including "scalped";
disadvantages
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Dries quickly in air, including in open tubes;
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Expensive (as for metal-silicone thermal interfaces);
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The syringe tip is not screwed;
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
