7 Best Thermal Pad For CPU and GPU in 2024

Thermal pads are a great way to close the gap between your processor and heatsink. They operate a lot differently than a thermal paste but essentially accomplish the same means — to establish the contact between the processor and the CPU cooler when there are gaps. It’s a thermal paste replacement, though generally has poorer conduction performance than thermal paste. However, with recent advancements in thermal pad technology, you can use this durable material over the thermal paste to keep your processor from overheating. You might be surprised, but there are actually a lot of great options available today. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Best Thermal Pad For CPU and GPU

1. IC Graphite Thermal Pad

Coming up as number one on our list, we have the IC Graphite Thermal Pad. It’s one of the best that you can pick up for top heat dissipation today, coming in at a thermal conductivity of 35 W/mK — that’s way more than most on our list, and more than most thermal compounds. Suffice to say this one is an excellent choice as far as thermal paste replacements go.

You will want to make sure that you exercise caution during the application process, though. To achieve such amazing thermal conductivity results, it means that IC wasn’t able to make this pad non-conductive — graphite is just too good of a conductor for heat. Still, unfortunately, it’s an excellent electrical conductor, as well. That said, cautiously apply this, as you can do some serious damage if it came in contact with an electrical circuit.

Buy it now: Amazon

2. Arctic Thermal Pad

The Arctic is a pretty big name as far as thermal compounds and pads go, which is why their own Thermal Pad comes in the second position on our list. This is an adhesive thermal pad, so when you’re ready to apply, peel off the paper protection, and then stick it to the heatsink. You can then mount the heatsink on your CPU. This one has got a thermal conductivity rating of 6 W/mK but can efficiently operate in temperature ranges of 40 to 200 Celsius. On top of that, it’s just a little bit cheaper than your standard thermal paste compound, as well. This one is non-conductive and non-capacative, so it’s entirely safe for electronics.

It’s quite a versatile thermal pad in that you can use it on all sorts of platforms — VRM, vRAM, chipsets, heatsinks, and even on GPUs. It is more of a spongy material, so you’ll want to ensure that you get the thicker option to ensure that you fill all of the gaps.

Buy it now: Amazon

3. Soft Silicone Conductive Pads

These pre-cut soft silicone Conductive Pads do an excellent job of keeping processors and GPUs cool. You actually get thirty squares with your purchase and can use these with pretty much any chip on your motherboard — your GPU, the CPU slot, your North and South bridge chips, etc.

You can pick these up in 15 x 15 millimeters, or for an additional fee, in 20 x 20 millimeter squares. It provides you with reliable insulation and plenty of performance.

Buy it now: Amazon

4. ZupayIPA Thermal Pad For CPU or GPU

If you’re looking for a thermal pad that you can use with your processor or video card, the ZupayIPA thermal pad will be right up your alley. It’s very easily applied to either the CPU or GPU in your PC, and can even be used with laptops.

These thermal pads do an excellent job at keeping your CPU cool, even when overclocking.

Buy it now: Amazon

5. Phobya Ultra Thermal Pad

Next up, we have Phobya’s Ultra Thermal Pad. This has a pretty low thermal conductivity at 5.0 W/mK, but it’ll do fine for making sure your CPU stays cool. You can use this for video card components as well, and even Northbridge and Southbridge chips on a motherboard, according to Phobya. You can pick this one up in thickness up to 3mm to make sure that you can fill some of the more significant gaps. It comes in as little as 0.5mm.

Buy it now: Amazon

6. Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 

If you’re looking for something that operates on a similar level to thermal paste, then you’ll want to use the Minus Pad 8 by Thermal Grizzly. It’s a significant gap filler between your CPU and heatsink that has a thermal conductivity rating of 8 W/mK. That’s more than a lot of thermal paste on the market right now! This isn’t an adhesive thermal pad, but once it gets hot, through the use of heat, it will adhere to the heatsink over time.

Buy it now: Amazon

7. Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad 17W/mk

Coming up in number five position, we have the Alphacool Eisschicht Thermal Pad. This one, unlike many others, actually has better thermal conduction than many types of thermal paste. You get a whole 17W/mK, actually. Not only that, but this thermal pad is adhesive — so, to apply, you peel off the adhesive protection and then apply directly to the top of the heatsink — never the CPU. Then, you can just set your CPU cooler down on top, and screw the mounts down to secure it. You can use this for CPU coolers, yes, but it’s versatile in that you can use it for video cards and other applications as well.

Buy it now: Amazon

Best Thermal Pad For CPU and GPU Verdict

Here we’ve shown you seven of our favorite thermal pads. Any one of these will act as an excellent replacement for thermal paste and compound and is the perfect solution for some of those larger gaps that you might experience between a CPU and CPU cooler. We definitely like the Graphite Thermal Pad the most, largely because of its high thermal conductivity.