10 Best Thermal Compounds 2024 in the US

If you work on computers or other electronic equipment for a living or as a hobby, then chances are good that at some point, you’re going to need a thermal compound (otherwise known as thermal grease) to keep the internal parts of the equipment (such as chips) held in place and working properly—getting enough energy to work without overheating. A thermal compound is something that just about everyone who works with electronics needs to have around the shop, so it might be easy to take it for granted, but you don’t want to do that—a couple of minutes’ worth of research will help you find the best compound for your needs.

The main difference between the compound brands generally comes down to the materials that are used in the compounds:

Carbon: Carbon-based compounds get their conductive power from the carbon that is integrated into the paste.

Diamond: Some compounds use synthetic diamonds, which have a very high conductivity.

Silver: Silver is another popular compound base, as silver is an excellent conductor.

Polysynthetic: Some brands skip metals and carbon altogether and go with a blend of synthetic materials to provide conductivity.

Here are some of the things reviewers talk about when commenting on their thermal compound purchases:

• Consistency: Consistency is an important factor for many users. A compound that is too thin lacks good adhesive power (and causes a mess), while one that is too thick can be difficult to work with. The best brands strike the proper balance between the two, and have the same consistency when they come out of the box as they do when there is just a little left in the tube.
• Durability: Some users report that their compounds break down within a few months, requiring them to re-apply the adhesive more often than they should. Good brands provide long-lasting adhesive and conductive power that will keep things in place and running smoothly for years.
• Type of use: This is a case where you will probably need to think about your own needs when it comes to a thermal compound—different types and brands of compounds work better for different applications. Reviewers who “overclock” their computers like certain brands more than others, while reviewers who run their machines in a normal fashion might prefer a different compound. It’s worth taking a minute or two to scan through reviews and see which best match what you are looking to get out of your own computer.

• Applicator: Most compounds come in a syringe-style applicator, while a few use brushes (and some don’t have applicators at all). Some also come with templates that will help you keep the compound exactly where it needs to be.
• Thermal conductivity: Depending on what you’re hoping to get out of the compound, you might want a brand that comes with a higher conductivity; be sure to check out the specifications in the item description before purchasing a compound.
• Material: As mentioned above, thermal compounds use a variety of materials, both metal and non-metal, to get the job done. If you have a preferred material that you like to use, take a look at the description to make sure that the compound contains it.

Arctic Silver: Arctic Silver is one of the leading manufacturers of thermal compounds. The California-based company produces a variety of compounds, using different materials, to serve a wide range of user needs.

Innovative Cooling: Innovative Cooling is the company behind IC Diamond, a popular compound that gets its conductive and cooling powers from synthetic diamonds.

Zalman: Zalman is a Korean company that produces a number of different computer-related products, from aftermarket accessories to cooling devices.

Cooler Master: Cooler Master is an American manufacturer of computer cooling options; they produce both mechanical cooling systems and thermal compounds.