10 best thermal grease

A fundamental factor in the success of radiator cooling systems used in computer technology is the efficiency of removal of excess heat from the working fluid to the radiator. Since the degree of heat transfer depends on the contact area of ​​the object and the radiator, it is very important to ensure that the elements touch as closely as possible even in places of scratches, irregularities and other surface defects. To ensure this effect in electrical engineering, special thermal paste is used that does not interfere with heat transfer and is able to withstand considerable temperature thresholds.

When applying thermal paste, it is very important to ensure that the layer formed is of minimal thickness, since an excessive amount of the substance will create certain problems with the heat sink, which adversely affect the performance of the graphics processor or the central processor. It is also important to ensure that the thermal grease does not change its properties when the temperature drops or over time, during the lifetime.

Today, a number of well-known (and not so) companies are involved in the production of thermally conductive pastes, among which Titan, Fanner, Zalman, Gigabyte, Thermaltake, DEEPCOOl and others stand out. We present to your attention the ranking of the best thermal grease for processors, video cards and laptops, well-proven over time. The main criterion for selection was the key characteristic of any thermal paste - thermal conductivity. When forming the final list, the following parameters were taken into account:

• maximum temperature of thermal paste;
• the popularity of the producing brand;
• product cost in the Russian market;
• consistency of composition and maximum service life.

The best thermal paste of low degree of thermal conductivity (up to 5 W / mK)

3 KPT-8

Well, what kind of thermal grease rating would do without a well-known Russian-made product, which has, if not the best thermal conductivity, but is available in almost all hardware stores. KPT-8 is the most affordable variant of thermal paste, which has a low thermal conductivity (0.85 W / mK), but withstands heating 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 (not requiring overclocking of the video card and the central processor).

If you are the owner of a full-fledged gaming station, the use of KPT-8 can cause serious problems with heat exchange processes (with good acceleration of the filling) and 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).

Disadvantages:

• practically “zero” heat exchange;
• viscous, sticky consistency.

2 Zalman ZM-STG2

Zalman is a very popular manufacturer of PC cooling systems. The company produces high-quality, but quite expensive coolers and radiators. Similarly, you can respond to the thermal grease ZM-STG2. Price for a standard 3.5 gr. the syringe is approximately 420–450 rubles. Expensive for thermal conductivity of 4.1 W / mK. Do not hit and operating temperatures: from -40 to +150. Although, most users, including owners of entry-level gaming computers or laptops, that's enough. In addition, extensive tests suggest 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 production: reviews and tests state that the difference between the Korean and Chinese versions can reach 20 degrees in favor of the first. Also note the low "stickiness" of thermal paste, which is why it is difficult to apply to the surface of the processor or video card.

Advantages:

• Good performance in real tests
• excellent quality

Disadvantages:

• Bad Results Thermopaste Chinese-made
• Difficulties may occur during application.

1 DEEPCOOL Z9

A major 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 did produce heat-conducting paste for the needs of its own cooling systems. Due to the special composition of the Z9 can withstand temperatures up to +200 degrees Celsius, which leads to its use in powerful assemblies. Alas, but the thermal conductivity parameter is not always able to support such an impulse - 4 W / mK may turn out to be too small to provide peak acceleration of the filling.

Advantages:

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

Disadvantages:

There are some difficulties in applying because of the consistency of the paste.

The best thermal paste of the average degree of thermal conductivity (from 6 to 10 W / mK)

4 Glacialtech IceTherm II

Thermal grease, leaving from the use of exclusively double feelings. On the one hand, the thermal conductivity value of 8.1 W / mK, which allows the use of Glacialtech IceTherm II with a powerful filling, looks very promising. And everything would be fine, but the working temperature puts a huge cross on the prospects of using thermal paste in high-performance computers. Heating up to +100 degrees Celsius, the composition loses all useful properties.

One syringe Glacialtech IceTherm II 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.

Disadvantages:

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

3 Gelid GC-Extreme

Third-generation thermal interface prepared by Gelid, which has a high heat sink efficiency. The thermal conductivity of the composition is equal to 8.5 W / mK, which causes 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 per 10 grams. And in the set there is always a special paddle, 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 to heat the thermal grease to 40 degrees Celsius.

Advantages:

• good heat transfer quality;
• the presence of several types of packaging;
• comes with a spatula to facilitate application.

Disadvantages:

• intricate application;
• high price.

2 Thermal Grizzly Aeronaut

Most manufacturers in this rating work in a fairly narrow area of ​​cooling systems. But Thermal Grizzly - a young German company - specializes exclusively in thermal interfaces, which made it possible to achieve excellent results. Aeronaut is the youngest pasta in the manufacturer's lineup. The stated thermal conductivity of "only" is 8.5 W / mK, which is comparable with most competitors. The electrical conductivity is zero - in front of us is a dielectric - which means that with inaccurate application you do not run the risk of short-circuiting anything. Delight the declared working 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, Aeronaut showed himself well. In tests, the CPU temperature is even lower than that of the leader of the rating. Albeit at 0.2-0.3 degrees. The advantages also include the ease of application - the thermal paste is quite liquid, and in the set there is a convenient paddle for uniform distribution. Of the minuses - the cost: for good performance will have to pay 15-20%.

Advantages:

• Excellent performance
• Dielectric
• Convenient to apply

Disadvantages:

• The cost is above average.

1 Arctic Cooling MX-4

Thermopaste Swiss production, very popular in the domestic Russian retail market. The use of Arctic Cooling MX-4 service companies and private workshops are often turned to, because the composition corresponds to a high level of quality. Its main advantage lies in its immaculate consistency - moderately liquid for convenient 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 size of the first Arctic Cooling MX-4 component is 8.5 W / mK, which allows the use of thermal grease in high-end computers and laptops. The loss of the beneficial properties of the composition begins when it reaches the level of +160 degrees Celsius - not the maximum, however, if there is a proper cooling system, this will not happen.

Advantages:

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

Disadvantages:

• high price.

The best thermal grease with a high degree of thermal conductivity (from 10 W / mK)

3 Prolimatech Nano Aluminum

Let's open the category of a rather modest thermopaste. The declared thermal conductivity is 10.2 W / mK. In tests, the Nano Aluminum does not reach the category leader, but the closest pursuers, like the Arctic Cooling MX-4, are noticeably ahead. In general, thermal grease can be safely used in top gaming or work systems with powerful graphics cards that are constantly working under high load. It is easy to apply the paste - medium viscosity, “stickiness” is excellent, it is very easy to smudge on the surface.

Thermal grease belongs to the upper class, and therefore the cost corresponds. Over 5 grams will have to pay about 900-1000 rubles. But to call this a problem is difficult because of the high performance and the availability of commercially available packages with a capacity of 1-1.5 grams (which is enough for one-time use) at an affordable price. We also note that for professional assemblers and service centers there is an opportunity to buy a 150-gram can at once for 5 thousand rubles.

Advantages:

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

2 Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut

A pair of leaders is represented by Thermal Grizzly thermal grease. Hydronaut is a mid-level thermal interface. At least, the manufacturer thinks so. Technical characteristics allow us 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 above Aeronaut: -200 - +350 ^OC. Operational parameters do not cause complaints. In idle time, the temperatures are completely comparable with the more “powerful” Kryonaut, and under stress load it is only half a degree higher. Thus, the thermal interface is perfect for overclockers with high-performance hardware.

The viscosity is slightly higher than that of Aeronaut, however, problems with applying to the desired surface should not arise - the flowability is sufficient, and the blade for spreading 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 "iron"
• Convenient application

Disadvantages:

• Cost

1 Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

One of the best thermal grease for overclockers used in the cooling systems of the most demanding computers and laptops. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is more likely to be used in service centers, since one syringe holds 11 grams of the composition. As regards the technical characteristics, thermal grease should be given its due - the manufacturers managed to squeeze the maximum possible out of the composition. The working temperature range varies from -200 to +350 degrees Celsius, so you can not worry about the loss of properties. In terms of heat transfer, everything is also excellent: this parameter is 12.5 W / mK. Manufacturers have foreseen the occurrence of problems with application, therefore they equipped the syringe with two applicators that are in the kit. As a result, even considering the high cost, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is one of the best thermal grease produced at the moment.

Advantages:

• excellent consistency;
• availability of applicators for easy application;
• good heat sink;
• generous packaging.

Disadvantages:

• quite high price.

Popular vote - who is the best manufacturer of thermal grease?
We vote!

DEEPCOOL

Noctua

Collaboratory

Arctic Cool

Titan

Fanner

Zalman

Gigabyte

Thermaltake

KPT-8

Thermal

Glacialtech

Total votes: 415

Vote results