Pastes: Gelid Solutions, Noctua, And Phanteks
Gelid Solutions GC-2
We're going to start with Gelid's most budget-oriented solution. Its thermal results are respectable, landing it in the vicinity of Arctic's MX-2, MX-4, and Arctic Silver 5. But it's also noticeably thicker, making it harder to manipulate at room temperature. Nevertheless, this is a solid product that sells for less than $1/g, making it the price/performance leader.
| Gelid Solutions GC-2 | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 3.8 W/(m*K) |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 32.7 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 36.5 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37.7 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 66.5 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 6 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 4 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | The paste can be spread more easily if you warm it to 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot of water, sealed in a water-tight pouch. |
| Price (approximate) | $6.50 (7 grams) |
Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme
GC-Extreme is the best thermal paste in our round-up, maintaining a slim lead over the runner-up as long as you're using a heat sink with high mounting pressure. If this compound was a little softer, it'd be even more ideal and wouldn't require warming before application. Heating it up a bit does pay off though, and we recommend it for overclockers and enthusiasts. Due to its high viscosity, it's perhaps less ideal for beginners.
| Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 8.5 W/(m*K) |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 31.8 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 35.3 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 36.7 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 65.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 6 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 5 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | The paste can be spread more easily if you warm it to 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot of water, sealed in a water-tight pouch. |
| Price (approximate) | $11 (3.5 g) |
Noctua NT-H1
This paste is almost a classic by now, and it still gets widely recommended. Rightfully so? Our testing reveals that its price/performance ratio is almost as good as Gelid Solution's GC-2, and its thermal parameters are even better. Noctua's solution ends up in the upper mid-range of our contenders, and a low price makes it hard to pass up unless you're a hardcore overclocker.
| Noctua NT-H1 | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | Data not available |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 32.2 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 36.1 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37.1 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 68.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 4 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 8 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | The paste can be spread more easily if you warm it to 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot of water, sealed in a water-tight pouch. |
| Price (approximate) | $6 |
Phanteks TH-NDC (Paste Bundled With Phanteks Coolers)
The paste that Phanteks includes with its heat sinks contains nano particles of diamond, approaches the thermal performance of Gelid's GC-Extreme, and can be applied as easily, if not more so. It is somewhat similar to Cooler Master's Extreme Fusion X1, but can be applied even by novices. A big shout-out to Phanteks for bundling TH-NDC with its coolers.
| Phanteks TH-NDC (Paste Bundled With Phanteks Coolers) | |
|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | Data not available |
| CPU Water Cooling, High Pressure | 32.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, High Pressure | 35.6 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| CPU Air Cooling, Low Pressure | 37.0 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| GPU Cooling | 65.5 ΔT (22 °C ambient) |
| Electrically Conductive | No |
| Viscosity | 4 (1-10, lower numbers mean easier to use) |
| Ease of Use | 6 (1-10, higher numbers mean easier to use) |
| Application Hints | The paste can be spread more easily if you warm it to 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot of water, sealed in a water-tight pouch. |
| Price (approximate) | N/A |