Thermal paste & pads

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Thermal pastes, pads, graphene sheets and liquid metal from Thermal Grizzly, Arctic, Noctua and more, for CPUs, GPUs, memory and SSDs. Filter by type, match pad thickness to your hardware, and pay in BTC, ETH or USDT.

74 products

74 products

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Buying thermal paste & pads at HodlChip

Thermal compound fills the microscopic gaps between a chip and its cooler. Which type to use:

  • Paste: the standard for CPUs and GPU dies. Non-conductive pastes are safe for beginners; a pea-sized dot or a thin cross on the CPU is enough, and the cooler spreads it.
  • Thermal pads: for memory chips, VRMs and SSD controllers. Thickness must match the original pad, often between 0.5 and 3 mm, or the cooler will not make proper contact.
  • Graphene and carbon sheets: reusable pads that do not dry out or pump out, handy for builds that are taken apart often. They conduct electricity, so keep them clear of exposed contacts.
  • Liquid metal: the most conductive option, but it conducts electricity and attacks aluminum. Only for experienced users, on copper or nickel-plated surfaces, with nearby components insulated.

Clean off old compound with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth before reapplying. One tube covers several applications, so keep a spare for cooler swaps and water block installs.

Questions about thermal paste & pads

How often should I replace thermal paste?
Replace it whenever you remove the cooler. Otherwise good paste lasts for years; consider fresh paste if temperatures creep up over time even after you have cleaned the dust from the cooler and fans.
What thickness of thermal pad do I need?
Use the thickness of the pad you are replacing, measured with calipers or taken from the manufacturer's documentation. Pads that are too thick can stop the cooler from touching the main chip; pads that are too thin leave memory or VRMs without contact.
Is liquid metal safe to use?
Only with care. Liquid metal conducts electricity and damages aluminum, so use it only with copper or nickel-plated coolers, apply a thin layer and protect nearby components. Opening a graphics card or laptop to apply it may affect the warranty, so check the manufacturer's terms first.