Best thermal paste database and charts – Paste versus paste comparison, reviews and durability for CPU and GPU

Thermal paste database version 3.0

After extensive tests and detailed measurements, I have redefined and restructured the three search criteria and the evaluation of the thermal pastes. The aim of this adjustment is to better reflect the real performance, especially for very thin layer thicknesses below 30 µm, as this area is the most relevant in practice. In previous databases and manufacturer specifications, this critical range was often not sufficiently taken into account, although it is decisive in determining how efficiently a thermal compound actually works in real application scenarios. Depending on the selected range, an average value is therefore calculated from the actual, effective thermal resistance and used for subsequent sorting. However, all pastes are always displayed immediately, but sorted differently and adapted to the range.

This database is constantly being expanded and new products added. It is therefore always worth visiting again. Please select one of the following three selection criteria to display the results or to compare the products:

Thermal paste database version 3.0 – More accurate and practical data, a technology upgrade and well over 100 tested pastes

Test setup, measurement methods and basics

Our database is based on real laboratory values that we have elaborately determined according to industry standards. However, many of these results contradict the manufacturers’ marketing claims and ruthlessly expose contradictions and lies, but they are all well-founded, reproducible and legally sound. These measurements not only reflect the general performance values of the pastes, but also enable an assessment of the suitability for a specific area of application (layer thicknesses, surfaces) as well as the suitability taking into account the individual capabilities of the respective user. In addition, the material analysis including digital microscopy is suitable for making your own assessment of the possible durability of a paste, even if I do not want to and cannot guarantee this. Unfortunately, measuring more than 3000 cycles per paste is not feasible. Statements about the matrix and the particles used, including their size, are also important. Please refer to my other articles and all individual tests on pastes that have shown certain abnormalities.

Test setup and methods	Material analysis & microscopy	Basic knowledge
Here you can find out why effective thermal conductivity and bulk thermal conductivity can be completely different in practice, what role the contact resistance between the surfaces and the paste plays and how thermal compound can be measured precisely. There is also a detailed description of the equipment, the methodology and the error tolerances.	You will learn how laser-induced plasma spectroscopy works and the advantages and limitations of the measurements. There is also high-resolution digital microscopy and analysis of particle sizes. This information is also used to estimate the long-term stability of a paste.	Anyone who has always wanted to know what is in a paste and what is not and how these pastes are produced will find what they are looking for here. The basic article is intended to give you a better understanding of what is often sold for far too much money and sometimes with adventurous promises.

You are welcome to leave suggestions and comments in the forum, via PN or e-mail. If you would also like to contribute to the project and send me samples of thermal compound that have not yet been entered in the database, please contact me by e-mail. The e-mail address can be found in the imprint. Of course, this also applies to the manufacturers whose products we would like to test, regardless of which continent the product comes from. The scope of the database is de facto unlimited and as the methods and equipment are always the same, it can be expanded over the years and still remain comparable. That is the advantage over measurements on CPUs or GPUs and changing environmental conditions. And that is why I will continue to test and add new pastes and publish individual tests for interesting products. My very special thanks also go to my colleagues at Berlin-based Nanotest GmbH and Keyence for their expert advice and support to ensure that such a major investment pays off in the end.

Here are all the individual tests, basic and practical articles for you to read again:

Thermal Grease: Single Reviews and Basic Tutorials

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