Best Thermal Paste For CPU Cooling
Whether you’re building a gaming rig or a professional workstation, a quality thermal paste is an essential part of your CPU cooling solution. These pastes provide a direct contact between your processor and the heat sink to transfer heat and disperse it throughout the system. The right choice can significantly reduce your CPU’s operating temperature, improve performance and extend your CPU life.
There are a number of different brands to choose from in the market, and the best choice for you depends on your needs and budget. Our top picks include a mix of options for all price ranges.
The Noctua NT-H2 is the successor of the community favorite NT-H1. It’s an excellent paste for air-based or water-based CPU cooling, and it can be used with both standard and enthusiast CPU coolers. It’s easy to apply, non-electrically conductive and can be stored for up to five years.
This is a great option for new PC builders and amateurs who may not have much experience applying thermal paste. It comes with an application stencil kit that makes the process easier and cleaner. It’s also a very high-performing thermal compound and offers a good value in comparison to the other options on this list.
The Arctic Silver Ceramique is a very high-performing thermal paste for a relatively low price. It uses a ceramic base instead of traditional silver, which makes it non-conductive and safe for beginners to use. It’s also very easy to apply and doesn’t require much time for drying. best thermal paste