
Some people prefer to never remove their thermal paste, however, having a build-up of old thermal paste is not good for your computer. If you plan on ramping up your system over time, having some extra paste around is always nice to have.Īdditionally, brands like Arctic Silver are famous for longevity and we can say from experience that they last well over a year at normal temperatures (~80C) so we feel comfortable recommending them even if you never plan on removing your CPU from its socket ever again! Why do I need to remove my thermal paste? If you’re putting together a simple cooling solution and not overclocking, then stock paste should be fine. In either case, you will want to make sure that your cooler or water block has thermal paste pre-applied, otherwise, you might have to go through the hassle of re-applying it yourself before installing everything in your case. You can also buy a CPU without thermal paste on it and use your own preferred brand. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider using an aftermarket option though. Yes, Intel ships their processors with thermal paste pre-applied.
#Best thermal paste how to
– How to Choose the Best Thermal Paste for Your PC. You’ll learn about the main differences between the different types of thermal pastes and what features to consider when making your choice. If you’re still having trouble choosing a thermal paste, we have prepared an easy to follow guide that will help you through the process. It also comes with a handy applicator tool! The only real downside is that it isn’t quite as thick as some other brands but as long as you make sure you apply enough before adding your cooler, it should be fine.Īnd at less than $10 (at time of writing), there really isn’t much else out there that compares. With a stellar 4.3/5 stars on Amazon after over 1,500 reviews and a lifetime guarantee, it’s not hard to see why many consider it to be the best thermal paste available today. Arctic Silver has been producing high-quality thermal pastes for over 20 years, but we found that their AS5V2-4G was head and shoulders above its competitors. If you want maximum performance out of your computer, paying a little extra will help ensure it lasts longer and keeps running smoothly during intensive processes like gaming or video editing.Ĭheck Price Our Top 2 Picks (With Reviews)Īrctic Silver 5 and AS5V2-4G.

Don’t let differences in cost dissuade you from getting something better: thermal pastes are cheap by computer standards, but they’re not free. They also come in smaller quantities those looking to save money might find these pricier options worth investing in. If you plan on overclocking frequently, look into high end options like Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut or Cooler Master MasterGel Maker Nano they heat up much more slowly than Arctic MX-4 and maintain a constant high level of effectiveness. For most people who use their computers casually, though, it works just fine.

The downside with the Arctic is that if your CPU gets too hot over 100C, it can become less effective or even cease to function altogether. Plus, its long lifespan means that you won’t have to apply the thermal paste as often (if you don’t do a lot of upgrades). It’s also non-corrosive and fairly easy to apply. It comes in an 11g syringe and has a thermal conductivity of 4.2 W/mK. The Arctic MX-4 is one of our favourites, and it’s at a good price point. They were just as effective as their leading competitor and cheaper. We tested thermal pastes from some of our favourite brands Arctic Silver 5 from Arctic Cooling and MasterGel Maker Nano from Cooler Master both earned top marks. Brands That We TestedĪrctic Silver 5, Arctic MX-4, Nocuta, Cooler Master MasterGel Maker Nano (White), Thermal Grizzly Grease. Let’s dive right in! before that, you need to know the mistakes that happen when you Apply Thermal Paste. But which thermal paste should you choose? That’s what we’re here to answer today. With a thin layer of TIM spread out evenly across your CPU, it can even reduce temperatures by a few degrees Celsius under load. A thermal paste works by filling in all of those microscopic crevices between your CPU and its heat sink or cooling fan.īy filling in these small gaps, a good thermal paste will keep your components cooler and running more efficiently. A thermal paste, also known as a thermal interface material (TIM), is an optional but highly recommended addition to your CPU.
