Test of 27 thermal compounds, part 1

Results and conclusion

Thermal pastes can significantly affect the cooling performance, so we have compared several models that represent the current offer. Is the legendary Arctic MX-2 still a good choice? Or is it more reasonable to try newer Cooler Master and Cryorig? There is also a copper Coollaboratory to consider. Well, we have prepared some recommendations, but few warnings too because there are several products that you should rather avoid.

Results and conclusion

The last position belongs to Alphacool Silver Grease. It was pretty much expected because of its price per gram. However, this criterion is not very fair to smaller packs of other compounds, so it would make more sense to compare it with similar package of Arctic MX-2. This paste is 40% more expensive, but considerably more effective as well. Also, Silver Grease has a quite unpleasant smell. The bestseller of Arctic was matched by the second paste from Alphacool, XPX-1, but not in price.

It is admirable that after 10 years the MX-2 is still dominant in its price category. It was not beaten even by its successor, MX-4, which does achieve better results, but again the cost is not adequate for the difference. The trio from Cooler Master also lost the challenge against the MX-2. The highest model, MasterGel Maker, could overcome it (closely), but for the triple surcharge. The high price was not vindicated by Cryorig CP5 and CP7. Model CP15 might be worth considering, but BeQuiet! DC1 (5 €) seems like a better choice.

 

The major disappointment was Coollaboratory Liquid Copper. It looked like a champion on the paper, but the truth is that it does not work that splendidly. In fact, it had the worst results. You can find the final verdict and recommendations in the second part of the test.


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Comments (5) Add comment

  1. I am using Cooler Master MasterGel Pro and its working pretty good for me. Thanks for this all depth test for different thermal paste.

  2. Left out some of the top 1s in the industry being:
    Phobya Liquid Metal
    Coollaboratory LiquidUltra
    Coollaboratory LiquidPro
    Thermal Grizzly Kronaut
    Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme
    Prolimatech PK-3

  3. You’ve reversed the Thermal conductivity for Cryorig CP7 & CP5:
    Specification
    CP5
    Color Gray
    Volume 4g
    Thermal Conductivity 9.3
    Thermal Impedance 0.007
    CP7
    Color Gray
    Volume 4g
    Thermal Conductivity 8.3
    Thermal Impedance 0.011
    Would like to see how Thermalright TF8 Thermal Compound Paste 13.8 W/mK & Kingpin cooling
    KPx High Performance Thermal Compound compare as well.

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