Buying Guide
The Best High-Conductivity Thermal Paste
We weighed four thermal pastes on tube size and amount, and the TF7 costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Some makers publish a conductivity figure in W/mK. Every pick is rated at 12 W/mK or more by its maker, ordered by that figure.
The order reflects amount, conductivity and electrically non-conductive from maker specifications; we did not test these thermal pastes ourselves, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g)The top of this price range, adding a metal-free formula.
Best for: Spending more than the Frost X45 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g)A metal-free formula.
Best for: Buyers who want metal-free formula.
Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g)A metal-free, non-corrosive formula.
Best for: Buyers who want metal-free, non-corrosive formula.
Check price for Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright TF7 (2g)The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the TF8 EX.
Check price for Thermalright TF7 (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The top of this price range, adding a metal-free formula. | Spending more than the Frost X45 costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A metal-free formula. | Buyers who want metal-free formula. | Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A metal-free, non-corrosive formula. | Buyers who want metal-free, non-corrosive formula. | Check price for Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the TF8 EX. | Check price for Thermalright TF7 (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 4
ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g)
Frost X55 Core is ID-COOLING's higher-rated paste at 16.2 W/mK, with the same metal-free, non-conductive formula approach as the X45.
Best for
- Spending more than the Frost X45 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TF7, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a low-cost way to get the highest conductivity figure in this group. It is metal-free and non-conductive, so a spill onto the board does not short anything. On tube size it ties with the Frost X45 at 4g.
It also comes with resistance to drying, cracking and separation. Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better. Only the Frost X45 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks.
Key specs
- Amount
- 4g
- Conductivity
- 16.2 W/mK (maker's figure)
- Electrically non-conductive
- Yes
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Maker-rated 16.2 W/mK conductivity
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Metal-free formula
Cons
- Costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 4
ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g)
Frost X45 is a metal-free, non-conductive paste rated at 15.2 W/mK by ID-COOLING.
Best for
- Buyers who want metal-free formula.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TF7, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The 4g tube costs little and the maker says it resists drying, cracking and separation. It is metal-free and non-conductive, so overflow onto nearby parts is harmless. The 4g tube covers several builds.
It matches the Frost X55 Core on tube size (4g). Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better. Worth noting: 4g is enough for several applications. Its price falls between the TF8 EX and the Frost X55 Core, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Amount
- 4g
- Conductivity
- 15.2 W/mK (maker's figure)
- Electrically non-conductive
- Yes
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Maker-rated 15.2 W/mK conductivity
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Metal-free formula
Cons
- Costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g)
TF8 EX is a metal-free, non-conductive paste rated at 14 W/mK by Thermalright, with a blue tint that shows where the paste has spread.
Best for
- Buyers who want metal-free, non-corrosive formula.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the TF7 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
At this price it is hard to fault for a mainstream build. Thermalright rates it stable from -220°C to 380°C, and it contains no metal particles. Its 2.9g tube size ranks third of 4 here, behind the Frost X55 Core (4g) and ahead of the TF7 (2g).
Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better. Worth noting: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. Its price falls between the TF7 and the Frost X45, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Amount
- 2.9g
- Top rated temperature
- 380°C
- Conductivity
- 14 W/mK (maker's figure)
- Electrically non-conductive
- Yes
Pros
- Maker-rated 14 W/mK conductivity
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Metal-free, non-corrosive formula
- Blue paste colour that shows the coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
Thermalright TF7 (2g)
TF7 offers 12.8 W/mK and a wide temperature range in a non-conductive formula.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the TF8 EX.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the Frost X55 Core offers 4g.
Why we like it
It is a low-cost option for a CPU or GPU repaste. On tube size it trails the group at 2g, while the Frost X55 Core comes in at 4g. Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better.
Worth noting: maker-rated 12.8 W/mK conductivity. Another plus: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. You also get this: rated range of -150°C to 250°C. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the TF8 EX was closest.
Key specs
- Amount
- 2g
- Conductivity
- 12.8 W/mK (maker's figure)
- Electrically non-conductive
- Yes
Pros
- Maker-rated 12.8 W/mK conductivity
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Rated range of -150°C to 250°C
- The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX
Cons
- Tube size trails the Frost X55 Core (4g)
The catch
Tube size is its weakest area, and the Frost X55 Core covers it better at 4g.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four pastes on tube size, conductivity and electrically non-conductive from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Frost X55 Core to the TF7, state tube size, conductivity and electrically non-conductive and share electrically non-conductive.
- Who each pick suits
- The Frost X55 Core for the top of this price range, adding a metal-free formula; the Frost X45 for a metal-free formula; the TF8 EX for a metal-free, non-corrosive formula.
- Price range
- From the TF7 to the Frost X55 Core, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a High-Conductivity Thermal Paste
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much tube size you need
The Frost X55 Core tops tube size at 4g and the TF7 sits lowest at 2g; 2 picks share the top figure. The Frost X45 comes second at 4g, in the same price tier as the Frost X55 Core.
Electrically non-conductive
The Frost X55 Core, the Frost X45, the TF8 EX and the TF7 have it. Sort out electrically non-conductive before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 4.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Extras that separate them
The Frost X55 Core: resistance to drying, cracking and separation. The TF8 EX: a blue paste colour that shows the coverage. The TF7: a rated range of -150°C to 250°C.
Budget
All 4 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the TF7 at the low end to the Frost X55 Core at the top, so decide on features first.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Start from what matters most
Spending more than the Frost X45 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Frost X55 Core. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the TF8 EX: the TF7.
How to Choose a High-Conductivity Thermal Paste
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending more than the Frost X45 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Frost X55 Core | The top of this price range, adding a metal-free formula |
| Buyers who want metal-free formula | Frost X45 | A metal-free formula |
| Buyers who want metal-free, non-corrosive formula | TF8 EX | A metal-free, non-corrosive formula |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the TF8 EX | TF7 | The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Frost X55 Core leads on tube size at 4g, ahead of the Frost X45 at 4g.
| Paste | Amount | Conductivity | Electrically non-conductive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frost X55 Core | 4g | 16.2 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| Frost X45 | 4g | 15.2 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| TF8 EX | 2.9g | 14 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| TF7 | 2g | 12.8 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Frost X55 Core add over the TF7?
On paper it adds tube size (4g against 2g). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in tube size cost little extra by tier.
Why is the TF7 our Lowest Price Here pick?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX. It makes sense for anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the TF8 EX.
Do the Frost X55 Core and the Frost X45 differ on conductivity?
The Frost X55 Core uses 16.2 W/mK (maker's figure); the Frost X45 uses 15.2 W/mK (maker's figure); the TF8 EX uses 14 W/mK (maker's figure); the TF7 uses 12.8 W/mK (maker's figure).
What extras do the Frost X55 Core and the Frost X45 include?
The Frost X55 Core: a metal-free formula. The Frost X45: a metal-free formula. The TF8 EX: a metal-free, non-corrosive formula.
Should I pick the Frost X55 Core or the TF7?
The Frost X55 Core suits spending more than the Frost X45 costs for the fullest feature set in this group; the TF7 suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the TF8 EX.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Frost X55 Core, chosen for the top of this price range, adding a metal-free formula. Look at the Frost X45 for a metal-free formula, the TF8 EX for a metal-free, non-corrosive formula and the TF7 for the cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX if those matter more to you.
Makers measure W/mK differently, so compare it only as a rough guide.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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