Top CPUs Thermal Paste Rankings 2025: Assessing and Gradating 90 Thermal Interface Materials
In the world of PC enthusiasts, the pursuit of optimal performance is a constant endeavour. One crucial component often overlooked is thermal paste, a substance that plays a vital role in maintaining a PC's cooling efficiency. The latest thermal paste performance rankings, based on testing with the Ryzen 9 9950X test system, have recently been unveiled.
The rankings show that the Arctic MX-6, a favourite among PC enthusiasts, continues to impress with its excellent thermal results. Arctic MX-6, known for its balanced performance and budget-friendly price, has proven to be a reliable choice for many.
However, the top spot goes to Thermal Grizzly's Kryonaut Extreme, a new product launched by the German brand in January 2021. Kryonaut Extreme, targeted at extreme cooling scenarios, gaming PCs, and high-performance workstations, has outperformed all other pastes tested, offering excellent thermal performance and long-term stability.
Interestingly, the best-performing liquid metal thermal paste is Alphacool's Eisfrost Extreme, which outperformed competitors by a significant 0.5C degrees. Liquid metal compounds, while offering superior thermal performance, are electrically conductive and require more attention during application to avoid damaging other components.
For budget-conscious enthusiasts, Noctua's NT-H2 and BeQuiet's DC2 Pro are worthy alternatives. Both offer excellent thermal performance at a lower price point. On the other hand, ID-Cooling Frost X45 stands out as the best-performing thermal paste on air cooling systems, making it a budget-friendly choice for those prioritising cooling efficiency.
The testing equipment for the updated tests includes a more modern CPU, motherboard, and coolers, and a different stress test is used to ensure accurate and up-to-date results. The average temperature of the CPU during testing is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of a thermal compound.
It's important to note that electrically conductive thermal pastes can cause damage to motherboards and CPUs if they come into contact with other components. Therefore, it's crucial to choose non-conductive pastes for everyday use and exercise caution when applying liquid metal compounds.
New thermal paste formulations continue to come to market at a rapid pace. Some non-traditional thermal pads made of materials like graphene are entering the market, offering unique properties and performance benefits. Thermal Grizzly's Kryosheet, for instance, is the best thermal pad tested, made of graphene and offering reusability.
Choosing the best thermal paste is important for overclocking a rig to its fullest potential. A good thermal paste can significantly impact performance by allowing more waste heat to be transferred to the cooler, keeping the processor cool and maintaining optimal performance.
In conclusion, the latest thermal paste performance rankings provide valuable insights for PC enthusiasts. Whether you're a budget-conscious builder or a performance-focused overclocker, there's a thermal paste out there to suit your needs. Always remember to choose non-conductive pastes for everyday use and exercise caution when applying liquid metal compounds.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
- Abdominal Fat Accumulation: Causes and Strategies for Reduction
