The best CPU thermal paste fills microscopic flaws and air gaps between the metal base plate of your CPU cooler or AIO and the processor’s IHS, allowing heat to be transferred more easily. It’s one of the most important components for a stable, reliable computer. If you use an inferior product or none at all, your hardware could be permanently damaged.
Whether you choose to use an AIO or an air cooler, it’s crucial to properly install the paste before mounting. This step requires a bit of care, but also isn’t complicated. First, make sure the area is clean and free of dust. Next, apply a pea-sized amount of the silvery-gray compound to the center of the CPU’s integrated heat spreader. Some users prefer to place four dots near the corners and a fifth dot in the middle: this is known as the penta-dot method.
Once the paste is in place, wait for it to spread naturally, or let the pressure of the AIO or air cooler do so. Avoid attempting to spread it with your fingers, as this can lead to abrasion and unevenness.
There are many brands and formulations of thermal paste, so finding the best isn’t easy. However, Tom’s Hardware has tested 90 products and ranked them according to their performance. The most popular is Arctic Silver 5, which consistently receives high marks in reviews. It’s a good choice for most people, although some users find that the competing Cooler Master High Performance Thermal Compound is slightly better.Pc cooling