10 Best Thermal Compounds 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Arctic Silver AS5-3.5G X10 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 3.5 Gram Tube - Lot of 10
The Arctic Silver AS5-3.5G thermal compound is known for its high-quality composition, featuring 99.9% pure micronized silver. This ensures excellent thermal conductivity, which is crucial for efficient heat dissipation from your CPU or GPU. Rated with a thermal conductance of over 350,000 W/m2 degreesC (0.001 inch layer), it is quite capable of keeping your components cool during intense use.
#2
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 25g Premium High Density Thermal Cooling Compound Retail CMQ2-25G
The Arctic Silver CMQ2-25G Ceramic Thermal Compound is a solid choice for those needing efficient thermal management for their CPU or GPU. One of its main strengths is its tri-linear ceramic content, which contributes to good thermal conductivity. This means it can effectively transfer heat away from your processor, keeping it cooler. Additionally, the polysynthetic suspension fluid ensures that the compound remains stable and doesn’t separate, run, migrate, or bleed over time, which boosts its longevity and reliability.
Rating
8.5
Thermal Conductivity
Electrical Conductivity
Longevity and Stability
Most important from
97 reviews
#3
Arctic Silver 5 High Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound -12g (AS5-12G-R)
The Arctic Silver 5 High Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound is a well-regarded product in the thermal compound category, known for its high efficiency and unique silver particles. It uses three different shapes and sizes of 99.9% pure silver particles to enhance thermal transfer, which significantly improves the thermal conductivity, making it suitable for both heatsink and water-cooling solutions for CPUs. The controlled triple-phase viscosity ensures that the compound spreads evenly and stays in place, which is crucial for maintaining optimal thermal contact between the CPU and the heatsink.
Rating
8.2
Thermal Conductivity
Viscosity
Curing Time
Most important from
686 reviews
Top 10 Best Thermal Compounds 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Arctic Silver AS5-3.5G X10 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 3.5 Gram Tube - Lot of 10
Arctic Silver AS5-3.5G X10 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 3.5 Gram Tube - Lot of 10
Thermal Conductivity: over 350,000 W/m2 degreesC
Electrical Conductivity: non-electrically conductive
Longevity and Stability: designed to stay in place
Ease of Application: Application and removal are straightforward
Chosen by 1238 this week
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 25g Premium High Density Thermal Cooling Compound Retail CMQ2-25G
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 25g Premium High Density Thermal Cooling Compound Retail CMQ2-25G
Thermal Conductivity: good
Viscosity: tricky to apply evenly
Electrical Conductivity: pure electrical insulator
Longevity and Stability: remains stable, doesn't separate
Ease of Application: tricky to apply evenly
Arctic Silver 5 High Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound -12g (AS5-12G-R)
Arctic Silver 5 High Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound -12g (AS5-12G-R)
Thermal Conductivity: 99.9% pure silver particles
Viscosity: controlled triple-phase viscosity
Curing Time: about 200 hours
Electrical Conductivity: does not conduct electricity
Longevity and Stability: effective over long periods
Ease of Application: challenging for beginners
Thermal Grizzly - Kryonaut Extreme - 2 Gram - Extremly High Performance Thermal Paste - for Maximum Thermal Conductivity While Overclocking CPU/GPU/PS4/PS5/Xbox
Thermal Grizzly - Kryonaut Extreme - 2 Gram - Extremly High Performance Thermal Paste - for Maximum Thermal Conductivity While Overclocking CPU/GPU/PS4/PS5/Xbox
Thermal Conductivity: 14.2 W/(m·K)
Electrical Conductivity: Does not conduct electricity
Longevity and Stability: Effective up to 80°C
Ease of Application: Easy to apply with syringe
Related Products
Up to 7% off
Cooler Master New MasterGel Pro, High Performance Heatsink Thermal Paste, 8 W/mK Thermal Conductivity Compound for CPU and GPU Coolers, Flat-Nozzle Applicator for Easy Use
Cooler Master New MasterGel Pro, High Performance Heatsink Thermal Paste, 8 W/mK Thermal Conductivity Compound for CPU and GPU Coolers, Flat-Nozzle Applicator for Easy Use
Thermal Conductivity: 8 W/mK
Electrical Conductivity: zero
Ease of Application: patented flat-nozzle applicator
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Extreme Thermal Grease - 1 Gram Liquid Metal Thermal Paste for Cooling The CPU, GPU (Conductonaut Extreme 1g Combo)
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Extreme Thermal Grease - 1 Gram Liquid Metal Thermal Paste for Cooling The CPU, GPU (Conductonaut Extreme 1g Combo)
Thermal Conductivity: up to 10 times greater
Longevity and Stability: long-lasting stability
Ease of Application: tricky due to liquid metal
Noctua NT-H2 3.5g AM5 Edition, Pro-Grade Thermal Compound with Thermal Paste Guard for AMD AM5 CPUs incl. 3 Cleaning Wipes (3.5g)
Noctua NT-H2 3.5g AM5 Edition, Pro-Grade Thermal Compound with Thermal Paste Guard for AMD AM5 CPUs incl. 3 Cleaning Wipes (3.5g)
Longevity and Stability: Use up to 5 years, storage 3
Ease of Application: No pre-spreading needed before install
Noctua NT-H1 10g, Thermal Computer Paste (10g)
Noctua NT-H1 10g, Thermal Computer Paste (10g)
Viscosity: balanced, not too runny or thick
Electrical Conductivity: does not conduct electricity
Longevity and Stability: lasts 5 years, fresh 3 years
Ease of Application: no spread needed; wipes off easily
#10
Noctua NT-H2 3.5g, Thermal Computer Paste incl. 3 Cleaning Wipes (3.5g)
Noctua NT-H2 3.5g, Thermal Computer Paste incl. 3 Cleaning Wipes (3.5g)
Viscosity: balanced viscosity, not runny or thick
Electrical Conductivity: electrically non-conductive
Longevity and Stability: stored 3 years, effective 5 years
Ease of Application: easy apply, no manual spreading
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Buying Guide for the Best Thermal Compounds
Choosing the right thermal compound is crucial for maintaining optimal temperatures for your computer's CPU or GPU. Thermal compounds, also known as thermal paste or thermal grease, are used to fill the microscopic gaps between the processor and the heat sink, ensuring efficient heat transfer. The right thermal compound can significantly impact the performance and longevity of your components. Here’s how to approach picking the best thermal compound for your needs.Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity is a measure of how well the thermal compound can transfer heat from the CPU or GPU to the heat sink. It is usually measured in watts per meter-kelvin (W/mK). Higher thermal conductivity means better heat transfer. For high-performance systems, such as gaming PCs or workstations, look for compounds with higher thermal conductivity (above 8 W/mK). For general use or older systems, a lower thermal conductivity (around 4-8 W/mK) may suffice.
ViscosityViscosity refers to the thickness of the thermal compound. A higher viscosity means the paste is thicker and may be harder to spread, while a lower viscosity means it is thinner and easier to apply. Thicker compounds are often used for applications where the heat sink and CPU/GPU surfaces are not perfectly flat, as they can fill larger gaps. Thinner compounds are easier to apply and spread more evenly, making them suitable for smooth surfaces. Choose a viscosity that matches your comfort level with application and the surface quality of your components.
Curing TimeCuring time is the period it takes for the thermal compound to reach its optimal performance after application. Some compounds require a curing time of several hours to a few days, during which the thermal performance gradually improves. If you need immediate performance, look for compounds with no curing time or a very short curing time. For those who can wait and want potentially better long-term performance, a compound with a longer curing time might be acceptable.
Electrical ConductivityElectrical conductivity is an important safety consideration. Some thermal compounds are electrically conductive, which means they can cause short circuits if they come into contact with electrical components. Non-conductive compounds are safer to use, especially for beginners or those who are not confident in their application skills. If you are experienced and careful, you might opt for a compound with higher thermal conductivity even if it is electrically conductive. Otherwise, stick to non-conductive options to avoid any risk of damage.
Longevity and StabilityLongevity and stability refer to how long the thermal compound maintains its performance over time. Some compounds can dry out, crack, or degrade, reducing their effectiveness. High-quality compounds are designed to remain stable and effective for several years. If you plan to keep your system for a long time without frequent maintenance, choose a compound known for its longevity and stability. For systems that are frequently upgraded or maintained, this may be less of a concern.
Ease of ApplicationEase of application is about how simple it is to apply the thermal compound correctly. Some compounds come with applicators or are pre-applied on heat sinks, making the process easier. Others may require more skill to apply evenly. If you are new to applying thermal paste, look for products that are known for being easy to use or come with detailed instructions. Experienced users might prefer compounds that offer the best performance, even if they are a bit more challenging to apply.