Does it really matter what thermal paste you use in your gaming PC?

Thermal paste (also known as thermal grease) is mentioned a lot more on gamer forums and among computer manufacturers than you might think, which is surprising considering it’s just a small addition to any rig.

But the truth is, thermal paste can actually lower CPU and GPU temperatures and increase performance if used correctly, so it’s certainly worth using thermal paste correctly.

Here, we look at how thermal paste is different, what to look out for, and how to best apply them.

Why thermal paste is important

If you’re building a gaming PC or overclocking it, you’ll need to apply thermal paste to the CPU and/or GPU. These pastes are composed of different compounds designed to fill the space between the processor and its heat sink and draw heat away to the heat sink to keep it cool.

When the wafers are cooler, they perform better and more consistently – which is what every gamer wants for optimal gaming performance.

Most manufacturers apply stock thermal paste to the CPU that comes pre-installed in their PC to keep it running smoothly, but there are plenty of gamers who swear they get better results when they take matters into their own hands and apply thermal paste themselves.

There is no doubt that applying thermal paste works. Case studies show that thermal paste is very effective in controlling CPU temperature. In this article by Coolingmonster.comFor example, the authors show how the Acer Nitro 5’s CPU temperature drops by an astonishing 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) when the old thermal paste is replaced with new thermal paste.

What should you pay attention to when using thermal paste?

Just like the hardware components, thermal pastes are mostly different. They vary in composition, cooling effectiveness, and price.

In order to choose the most effective cooling option, it is worth reading reviews or watching similar comparisons Jez two cents. In this video, the host compares five different brands and discovers one – Kingpin KPx thermal paste — a few degrees Celsius cooler than the hottest brands tested. However, the cooling effectiveness of most options is in the mid-range, which suggests you can expect similar results from most brands you can buy.

Arguably more important than the cooling effect of the paste is how it is used. Ideally, you want complete coverage of the integrated heat sink (IHS), or metal cover of the CPU or GPU processor.

You need complete coverage because insufficient coverage can cause hotspots in the core, which can lead to slow and choppy PC performance.

The application technique you use will affect coverage. For example, you want to avoid applying small patches and instead cover the entire surface of the IHS, like frosting on a cake. The viscosity of the paste determines how easy it is to apply and stay on the IHS – which is why choosing the right paste is so important.

Thick, thin, or just right?

Last but not least, the ideal thermal paste has a medium viscosity, neither too thick nor too thin. If it’s too thick or requires a heat gun to come out of the tube, it can be a pain to apply.

A paste that is too thick will also take longer to phase change to the viscosity required to achieve proper conductivity between the cooler and processor as temperatures rise in the PC.

On the other hand, you don’t want the paste to be too thin and watery, or it will squeeze the sides and form a moat around the processor.

The reason is that the solder paste layer on the IHS is either too thin to begin with, or it thins over time and provides insufficient thermal conductivity. One clue is if you experience poor CPU temperatures immediately after applying thermal paste, or if you notice a gradual increase in CPU temperature over the months after applying thermal paste.

Runny thermal paste can also be difficult to apply and clean. If you don’t find yourself inadvertently drawing lines of unwanted solder paste across your motherboard, you’ll almost certainly find yourself having to suck the excess paste back into the applicator (if the paste is too thin).

What else should you pay attention to when using thermal paste?

You also don’t want the paste to crack or dry out easily, meaning you’ll have to replace it more often than you normally would. When you do replace the thermal paste with fresh one, you’ll also want one that’s easy to clean – just use cleaning alcohol to remove it.

Again, you can’t expect to know whether thermal paste has these properties before buying, which is why it’s so important to read or watch comparisons beforehand.

Finally, it’s worth noting that thermal paste prices vary widely. To evaluate which paste is the best value, it’s best to calculate the cost per gram of applicators from different brands. As a guide, the most expensive pastes cost around $9 per gram, but you don’t have to pay more than $6 to $7 per gram for a paste that works well.