10 Best Thermal Compounds 2025 in the United States

The Arctic Silver AS5-3.5G thermal compound is known for its high-quality composition, featuring 99.9% pure micronized silver. This ensures excellent thermal conductivity, which is crucial for efficient heat dissipation from your CPU or GPU. Rated with a thermal conductance of over 350,000 W/m2 degreesC (0.001 inch layer), it is quite capable of keeping your components cool during intense use.

Its non-electrically conductive nature means it won't cause any short circuits, making it safe to use in close proximity to electrical components. Additionally, it is designed to stay in place without separating, running, migrating, or bleeding over time, contributing to its longevity and stability. Application and removal are relatively straightforward, making it user-friendly even for those who aren't very tech-savvy.

Weighing 14 ounces and being non-electrically conductive are definite pluses, as is its compatibility with major CPU sockets and heatsinks. This product would benefit users looking for a reliable, easy-to-use thermal compound capable of providing long-lasting thermal management for their systems.

The Arctic Silver CMQ2-25G Ceramic Thermal Compound is a solid choice for those needing efficient thermal management for their CPU or GPU. One of its main strengths is its tri-linear ceramic content, which contributes to good thermal conductivity. This means it can effectively transfer heat away from your processor, keeping it cooler. Additionally, the polysynthetic suspension fluid ensures that the compound remains stable and doesn’t separate, run, migrate, or bleed over time, which boosts its longevity and reliability.

Importantly, it’s also a pure electrical insulator, meaning it doesn’t contain any metal and won’t conduct electricity, making it safe to use around sensitive electronic components without risk of short circuits. This can be especially reassuring for users who are not tech-savvy and might worry about damaging their hardware. Another benefit is its RoHS compliance, indicating that it meets certain environmental and safety standards.

The viscosity of the compound can make it a bit tricky to apply evenly, especially for beginners. The product has been on the market for quite some time (since 2012), so there might be newer alternatives with better performance metrics available. Nevertheless, for a well-rounded thermal compound that prioritizes safety and stability, the Arctic Silver CMQ2-25G is a commendable option.

The Arctic Silver 5 High Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound is a well-regarded product in the thermal compound category, known for its high efficiency and unique silver particles. It uses three different shapes and sizes of 99.9% pure silver particles to enhance thermal transfer, which significantly improves the thermal conductivity, making it suitable for both heatsink and water-cooling solutions for CPUs. The controlled triple-phase viscosity ensures that the compound spreads evenly and stays in place, which is crucial for maintaining optimal thermal contact between the CPU and the heatsink.

However, the viscosity might be a bit challenging for beginners to handle, requiring careful application to avoid messes or improper coverage. The curing time for the Arctic Silver 5 can be longer compared to other compounds, as it takes about 200 hours to fully set, which might not be ideal for users looking for immediate results. It does not conduct electricity, which is a significant advantage as it reduces the risk of short circuits if accidentally spilled.

In terms of longevity and stability, Arctic Silver 5 remains effective over long periods, maintaining its thermal transfer capabilities without drying out or degrading. The compound comes in a 12-gram syringe, providing adequate quantity for multiple applications. This product would benefit tech enthusiasts and PC builders who require efficient thermal management for high-performance CPUs.