Question Thermal Compound in 2020

[STERKOFF]

Going to be doing a new build once I get my hands on one of the new Ryzen CPU's (a separate topic, I know) and was curious what is the go-to thermal compound these days? Not looking for crazy, expensive, bleeding-edge stuff. For example I used to use AC5 years and years ago and my last was the Noctua tube that came with their heatsink. Maybe there really isn't much between them these days, IDK....

 

[Avalon]

Recently had to do some research myself on that topic when I was building my Ryzen 5600X machine. Check this out:

Guru3D Thermal Paste Roundup 2019

Thermal paste is an often-overlooked part of most computer setups. You can simply use the pre-applied stuff, or the thermal paste that comes with your motherboard, and still get reasonable processor t... Air Cooling for i9 9900K@5.0 GHz 1.35V

www.guru3d.com

I wound up going with the Noctua NT-H2 because it was pretty performant but also reasonably priced. Works great and is easy to apply.

 

[damian101]

You can't go wrong with Arctic MX-2 or MX-4.
Paying more for thermal paste gives you barely better performance, unless you go for liquid metal.
For CPUs with heatspreader thermal compound isn't very important anyway. For direct-die cooling I normally use liquid metal pads.

 

[DooKey]

Prolimatech PK-2 is my go to thermal paste.

 

[STERKOFF]

Recently had to do some research myself on that topic when I was building my Ryzen 5600X machine. Check this out:

Guru3D Thermal Paste Roundup 2019

Thermal paste is an often-overlooked part of most computer setups. You can simply use the pre-applied stuff, or the thermal paste that comes with your motherboard, and still get reasonable processor t... Air Cooling for i9 9900K@5.0 GHz 1.35V

www.guru3d.com

I wound up going with the Noctua NT-H2 because it was pretty performant but also reasonably priced. Works great and is easy to apply.

Thanks! Looks like the NT-H2 offers good performance at reasonable price. Maybe will watch for a BF deal on the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, but otherwise looks like either the NT-H2 or PK-2 will easily meet my modest needs.

 

[thigobr]

Gelid GC-Extreme is also a good option and usually on top of comparison charts

 

[Campy]

I use Kryonaut, easy to apply and performs well. Just get a 1g tube it's plenty enough for many applications

 

[DrMrLordX]

Kryonaut is pretty good stuff. Just avoid heating it above 85C. That's where it tends to dry out.

 

[Justinus]

GC extreme is king of longevity with performance.

If you want your paste application to last 5 years it's an obvious choice.

I've observed it lasting 5 years without any detectable change in performance, no drying out, no running out.

Kryonaut performs slightly better but doesn't last as long.