85A $3 tube of thermal paste can drop your CPU temps by 5-10°C — AliExpress offers name-brand pastes at budget prices.
Thermal paste is one of the best value PC upgrades. AliExpress offers name-brand pastes (Arctic MX-6, Thermal Grizzly, Cryorig) at prices much lower than local retailers.
Key factors to consider before buying on AliExpress
Higher W/mK = better heat transfer. Budget pastes: 4-6 W/mK (Arctic MX-4). Mid: 6-8 W/mK (Arctic MX-6, Kryonaut). High-end: 10+ W/mK (Kryonaut Extreme, Liquid Metal).
Some pastes degrade quickly under high heat cycles. Kryonaut suffers from pump-out on direct-die (laptops). MX-6 and Cooler Master MasterGel are more durable for long-term use.
Pea-sized dot in the center is standard for desktop CPUs. Spread thin for GPUs and direct-die. Liquid metal requires electrical insulation of nearby components.
What to expect at different price points
Syrba, basic pastes. 4-6 W/mK. Good for general use and temporary builds. One application per tube.
Arctic MX-4/MX-6 (~$3-5). 6+ W/mK, good longevity. Best value for most users.
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, Cooler Master MasterGel Pro. 10+ W/mK. Best for overclocking or high-TDP CPUs.
Best computer components products ranked by expert review scores
85
78
77
73
71
64
64
63
62
61
60
60Arctic MX-6 at $3-5 is the sweet spot. More expensive pastes (Kryonaut) offer 1-2C improvement — not worth it for stock CPUs but useful for overclocking.
Every 2-3 years, or whenever you remove the cooler. If CPU temps rise 5-10C, its time for a replacement.
Buying Guide: Computer Components on AliExpress — What Is Safe to Buy
Find safe, reliable computer components on AliExpress. Compare SSDs, RAM, and accessories with expert verification. Learn what is worth buying and what to avoid.
Best NVMe SSDs on AliExpress
Find reliable NVMe SSDs on AliExpress. Compare PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 drives from Fanxiang, Netac, KingSpec, and other Chinese brands.
Best CPU Coolers on AliExpress
Find the best CPU coolers on AliExpress for air and AIO cooling. Compare Thermalright, ID-Cooling, and Jonsbo options.
Best PC Case Fans on AliExpress
Find the best PC case fans on AliExpress for airflow, static pressure, and quiet operation. Compare Thermalright, Arctic, and ID-Cooling fans.
Browse all computer components products with expert scores and price history.