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Based on the answers on this question, I'll probably go buy some new thermal paste. Unfortunately, the marketplace is flooded with spiffy-sounding products at wildly varying prices. I might just go to the local store and buy whatever mid-range product they happen so sell, but before I just do something stupid I'd like to learn more:

  • What material should the paste be made of? Does it matter?
  • How important is the heat conductivity? Are there big differences?
  • For anything less than bleeding-edge systems, does the choice of paste actually matter? Why?

What specifics should sway me to spend more (or less!) money on thermal paste?

This question is for reassembling a mid-range system. I'm sure that high-end overclocking gurus would very likely choose products that aren't necessary for mainstream customers.

Update: the price range for a small container is only €3-€6 so buying the best is easily affordable. I'd just like to understand if there's any sense in that; learning never hurts.

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Torben Gundtofte-Bruun
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1 Answers1

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If you're looking for a mid-range system you're not planning on overclocking or doing anything weird with, you could get away with the store-brand paste, or whatever is cheapest and looks easiest to apply.

Any paste that isn't made of jello and sand should be capable of handling the thermal needs of a middling system.

The most reputable brand is probably Arctic Silver. And you should be able to find a single-use cartridge of this for pretty cheap.

However, any product made by a brand that also makes cases and coolers should be OK as well. They have reputations to uphold and so are highly unlikely to release a truly horrible product.

Regarding specifics: Diamond grit? Expensive and pointless. Gold-dipped Salmon Roe? In cooling paste? You just want the cheapest tube from a reputable brand applied properly under a capable fan.

music2myear
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