If you are an overclocking PC enthusiast, then buying and applying a thermal paste is necessary to make your computer perform optimally. Your system’s performance depends mostly on how well you can reduce your PC’s temperature.
Some computer manufacturers add thermal pastes to their systems, which is sometimes inadequate to transfer heat from the CPU to the cooler. Hence, this is why you should consider buying a thermal paste.
The Ultimate Thermal Paste Buying Guide
Thermal pastes come in different types based on the elements used in making them, liquid or grease and in various sizes. Each thermal paste has unique features that make it different from the others.
An uninformed user might think they are the same. Having the best thermal paste is primarily crucial in transferring heat from the CPU to the cooler, which improves the overall performance and longevity of your computer when you have a gaming community, and you want to add bot to your discord server.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best thermal paste to buy and some key factors to consider when you want to buy one. Firstly, let’s look at what thermal pastes are and how they function.
What is Thermal Paste?
Have you ever noticed how much heat your computer produces, primarily after you’ve worked for a long time? To keep your computer functioning optimally, you’ll need to find a way to reduce the heat generated by the CP, and this is why you’re going to need a good thermal paste.
Thermal pastes are conductive substances which are applied between a CPU and a cooler to transfer heat generated by a computer’s CPU. Although some systems have to paste applied by the producers, you can still add more pastes as you deem necessary. When applied between your CPU and the cooler, the paste conducts heat from the CPU to the cooler, thereby reducing the heat produced.
The functions of Thermal Paste
In every computer you buy, the CPU and the cooler are placed beside each other side by side in a bid to ease the transfer of heat between both components. Despite their closeness, there is an excellent chance of still having air around both CPU and cooler. The air around them acts as a heat insulator and thus, makes heat build up around the CPU.
Adding a thermal paste between both components bridges the gap where air stays and heat is easily transferred from the CPU to the cooler. The cooling process helps reduces the amount of heat and improves the performance of your system, which in turn makes your computer lasts longer.
Best Thermal Pastes
Adding a thermal paste between both components bridges the gap where air stays and heat is easily transferred from the CPU to the cooler. The cooling process helps reduces the amount of heat and improves the performance of your system, which in turn makes your computer lasts longer. If you’re looking to buy, here are the best thermal paste to look at when in the market for one.
1. Thermalright Liquid Metal Thermal Paste
The first thermal paste on our list is the Thermalright liquid paste which is metal-based. It has a thermal conductivity rate of 79 W/m, which makes it easy for heat transfer between your computer’s CPU and heatsink. Although it is a metal-based paste, the manufacturer claims it’s harmless. It is also electrically conductive; hence it’s not recommended for a first time user. The thermal paste comes with cleanser to remove the old thermal paste from the heatsink.
It also has a spreader you can use to apply the paste to your processor. The producer warns that it must not be used with an aluminum heatsink. If you must apply this paste to your CPU, ensure to employ the service of a professional.
2. Arctic MX-4 (Current Edition) Thermal Paste
The Arctic MX-4 is one of the best thermal paste in the market. It is a carbon-based paste which you can apply without fear of short circuit, and it is an easy-to-use thermal paste which makes it a great choice among beginners and experienced users alike. The Arctic MX-4 paste is a carbon-based compound, and this makes it have a high thermal conductivity rate. You can rest assured that you’d get excellent performance from your CPU after you’ve applied this paste.
When compared to other pastes in the market, the Arctic MX-4 has a high longevity period. The producer claims the paste lasts up to 8 years. Why don’t you purchase the Arctic MX-4 paste to get the best result you want?
3. Noctua NT-H2 Thermal Paste
The newly improved Noctua NT-H2 paste is a widely used thermal paste that ensures the optimal performance of your CPU. It has metal oxide micro-particles properties which increases the rate of heat transfer from your CPU to the heatsink for the computer’s best performance. The Noctua NT-H2 has a high longevity rate of more than 5 years, and if properly stored, it lasts up to 3 years at room temperature.
It is a non-corroding and non-electrical conductive thermal past, and this makes it safe even for a first time user.
4. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Paste
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is next on our list of best thermal paste in 2020. The paste is popular among PC enthusiasts and overclockers around the world. It is a grease-based thermal paste that ensures the optimal transfer of heat from the processor to the cooler. It also has a thermal conductivity rating of 12.5 W/mK, which improves the overall performance of your PC. If you’re using a thermal paste for the first time, the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is a good option because it’s easy to apply.
5. MoneyQiu Thermal Past
Although MoneyQiu is relatively new compared to other established brands, it has become a choice of thermal paste among overclockers. It is a carbon-based paste with micronized aluminum, nanoparticle structure, and zinc oxide which makes heat transfer between your computer’s processor and cooler easy and highly effective. It’s a non-electrical conductive paste and it highly stable due to its unique element that doesn’t dry up at a temperature of 80°C.
As a beginner, use can use the MoneyQiu thermal paste to get an excellent cooling result.
Buyers’ Guide: What to look for when shopping for the Best Thermal Paste to buy
If you are an overclocking enthusiast who spends a considerable amount of time on your PC either gaming or working online, then using a thermal paste to improve the conductivity of heat from your system’s processors to the cooler is an absolute necessity. There are several types of thermal pastes in the market, and this makes choosing the right one a bit tricky.
Even though there are various thermal pastes available to you, you will need to consider some factors when choosing a useful paste that’ll serve you for long.
1. The longevity of the Thermal Paste
The longevity of a thermal paste is another crucial factor to consider before buying one. You don’t want to buy a paste that’s not going to give you the best result. Thermal pastes have different life span based on the type of components used in making them coupled with other factors.
Most manufacturers suggest that you replace the thermal paste on your CPU between two to three years and some of them promise that their pastes could serve you up to eight years. Before you buy a paste, it is vital to check for the longevity period on the body or the instructional guide to know how long it will serve you best.
2. Thermal Paste Performance
The performance of the thermal paste, you buy and apply on your CPU will depend on how you applied it. Using thermal paste on the CPU correctly will give you a better result. It is advisable to remove the old paste on your CPU before adding more past, and after application, you don’t need to spread the paste. Once you apply, screw the heatsink back to the card on your CPU. The pressure of the heatsink will spread the paste. If applied rightly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the thermal should serve you well no matter how long you play GTA alternatives.
3. Ease of Installation
Image: Microless.com
Every thermal paste you buy has an application technique that is unique to the brand you purchase. Some pastes are easy to use, while others require that a professional handles them. In general, applying thermal pastes with high viscosity tends to be easier compared to those with low viscosity. As a rule of thumb, before you use any thermal paste on your CPU, ensure that you read the instructions and follow it to get the result you desire.
4. Price of the Thermal Paste
Price is an excellent factor to consider before buying a thermal paste because you don’t want to purchase a product that’s overpriced when there are good alternatives that function better than an expensive product. Still, you will have to be careful not to select a brand that’s cheap and ineffective.
Although the price of a thermal paste might not be directly proportionate to its performance, it is also essential to make the right buying decision based on your budget. Most high-quality thermal pastes cost averagely between $10 and $20.
Conclusion
Buying the best thermal paste that serves you best depends on these factors we’ve discussed. Besides, you’ll need to determine your overclocking rate and other factors that are peculiar to you before purchasing the right thermal paste and in the right quantity. Be sure to check out reviews from other buyers before you choose a particular brand because this can save you from losing your money.
