Buying Guide
The Best High-Conductivity Thermal Paste
We weighed five thermal pastes on tube size and top rated temperature, and the TF7 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 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, top rated temperature and conductivity from maker specifications; we did not test these thermal pastes ourselves, and a missing top rated temperature is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g)
A metal-free formula.
Best for: Buyers who want metal-free formula.
Our take Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g)
A metal-free formula.
Best for: Buyers who want metal-free formula.
Our take Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Thermalright TFX (2g)
A thick consistency the maker acknowledges at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Thermalright TFX (2g) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g)
A metal-free, non-corrosive formula.
Best for: Buyers who want metal-free, non-corrosive formula.
Our take Check price for Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g) (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 in the build.
Our take Check price for Thermalright TF7 (2g) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A metal-free formula. | Buyers who want metal-free formula. | Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A metal-free formula. | Buyers who want metal-free formula. | Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A thick consistency the maker acknowledges at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Thermalright TFX (2g) (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) (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Thermalright TF7 (2g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ID-COOLING Frost X55 Core (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- 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
It is a low-cost way to get the highest conductivity figure in this group. 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. Another plus is 4g is enough for several applications. It was priced above the Frost X45 and below the TFX at the time of writing. There is no published top rated temperature figure, whereas the TF8 EX offers 380°C.
Key dimensions & 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
Strong Alternative2 of 5
ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. Its price falls between the TF8 EX and the Frost X55 Core, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed top rated temperature should compare it with the TF8 EX, which offers 380°C.
Key dimensions & 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
Premium Pick3 of 5
Thermalright TFX (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TFX carries Thermalright's highest conductivity figure, 14.3 W/mK, and a very wide rated temperature range.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TF7, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The maker admits it is thick and dry, so it takes more effort to apply than most. It matches the TF7 on tube size (2g). You also get a low-volatility grease built for long service.
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. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Frost X55 Core and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 2g
- Top rated temperature: 300°C
- Conductivity: 14.3 W/mK (maker's figure)
Pros
- Maker-rated 14.3 W/mK conductivity
- Thick consistency the maker acknowledges
- Low-volatility grease built for long service
- A thick consistency the maker acknowledges at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 5 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. It also brings electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. Its price falls between the TF7 and the Frost X45, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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 Here5 of 5
Thermalright TF7 (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 in the build.
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 ties with the TFX at 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.
It also brings maker-rated 12.8 W/mK conductivity. Another plus is electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the TF8 EX was closest. Tube size is its weakest area, and the Frost X55 Core covers it better at 4g.
Key dimensions & 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)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Application
- We noted spreaders, wipes and the maker's application guidance.
- Value
- We compared tube sizes and what comes in the box.
- Safety
- We checked that each paste is listed as electrically non-conductive.
- Durability
- We looked for maker claims on pump-out and long-term stability.
What to Look for in a High-Conductivity Thermal Paste
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Durability matters on hot CPUs
Some pastes pump out or dry over thermal cycles. Pastes built for long-term stability suit high-power CPUs you do not want to remount often.
Buy the amount you will use
One large CPU uses about 0.2g to 0.5g. A 1g tube covers a couple of builds; 4g or more suits regular remounts or several machines.
Check the rated service life
Some makers state how long the paste can stay on a CPU before it needs replacing, from about five years to eight. A longer rating suits a PC you won't open often.
GPU repasting needs more care
Graphics card dies are bare, so non-conductive paste and a thin, even layer matter more. Some pastes are sold specifically for direct-die use.
Kits save a trip to the drawer
Wipes, a spatula or an applicator card make a repaste cleaner. They matter most for a first build or for repasting a graphics card.
Differences between good pastes are small
Among reputable pastes, temperatures usually differ by a few degrees at most. Mounting pressure and application matter as much as the paste.
How to Choose a High-Conductivity Thermal Paste
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want metal-free formula | Frost X55 Core | A metal-free formula |
| Buyers who want metal-free formula | Frost X45 | A metal-free formula |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | TFX | A thick consistency the maker acknowledges at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want metal-free, non-corrosive formula | TF8 EX | A metal-free, non-corrosive formula |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | TF7 | The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | Top rated temperature | Conductivity | Electrically non-conductive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frost X55 Core | 4g | Not listed | 16.2 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| Frost X45 | 4g | Not listed | 15.2 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| TFX | 2g | 300°C | 14.3 W/mK (maker's figure) | Not listed |
| TF8 EX | 2.9g | 380°C | 14 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| TF7 | 2g | Not listed | 12.8 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these thermal pastes compare on tube size?
The Frost X55 Core, at 4g. The Frost X45 follows at 4g, while the TF7 has 2g.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The TF7. It undercut the TF8 EX when we checked, while the TFX cost the most of the group.
Is a higher W/mK rating always better?
Not reliably. Makers test conductivity differently, so the figures are not directly comparable between brands.
How often should I replace thermal paste?
Only when you remove the cooler or temperatures rise over time. Many pastes last several years on a desktop CPU.
How do I remove old paste?
Wipe it off with a lint-free cloth and 90% or stronger isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Frost X55 Core, chosen for a metal-free formula. Look at the Frost X45 for a metal-free formula, the TFX for a thick consistency the maker acknowledges at the highest price in the group and the TF8 EX for a metal-free, non-corrosive formula if those matter more to you.
Makers measure W/mK differently, so compare it only as a rough guide.