What is the best thermal paste for a heat sink?

The best thermal paste for a Heat Sink depends on whether you prioritize raw cooling performance, safety, long-term durability, or extreme overclocking. Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) fill microscopic imperfections between the processor's heat spreader (IHS) and the Heat sink base to ensure maximum heat transfer.

Top Thermal Pastes by Category

• Best Overall / Value:    ARCTIC MX-6 /    ARCTIC MX-7

• Type: Carbon/silicone-based (Non-conductive)

• Why it's great: Delivers top-tier thermal performance at an affordable price, easy to apply, non-electrically conductive (safe), and lasts for years without drying out.

• Best High-Performance Air & Liquid Cooling:    Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

• Type: Premium ceramic-silicone compound (Non-conductive)

• Why it's great: Widely considered the gold standard for enthusiasts and high-TDP processors. Offers extremely low thermal resistance, though it is slightly higher priced and thicker to spread.

• Best Ease of Application & Reliability:    Noctua NT-H2

• Type: Hybrid metal-oxide compound (Non-conductive)

• Why it's great: Spreads smoothly under heat sink mounting pressure and offers excellent long-term stability with minimal pump-out effect. Includes cleaning wipes in the box.

• Best for Extreme Overclocking Only:    Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut (Liquid Metal)

• Type: Gallium-indium alloy (Electrically conductive)

• Why it's great: Yields the lowest temperatures possible (~80 W/m·K thermal conductivity).

• Warning: Electrically conductive. It will short-circuit components if spilled and corrodes aluminum Heat Sinks. Use only on nickel-plated copper or pure Copper Heat Sink bases.

Comparison Summary