THERMAL PASTE GUIDE · SINGAPORE 2025
Arctic MX-4 vs Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut vs Honeywell PTM7950
Which Thermal Paste is Best for Your PC?
At our PC servicing shops in Singapore, we repaste dozens of desktops and laptops every week. Over time we’ve tested and compared the three most commonly used thermal compounds — here’s everything you need to know before choosing one.
🌡 What Is Thermal Paste and Why Does It Matter?
Thermal paste (also called thermal compound or thermal grease) fills microscopic air gaps between your CPU or GPU die and the heatsink or cooler contact plate. Air conducts heat poorly — thermal paste conducts it efficiently, keeping temperatures down.
Over time, thermal paste dries out, cracks, and loses effectiveness. This is one of the most common causes of overheating in desktop PCs and laptops that are 2+ years old. A fresh application of quality paste can drop CPU temps by 10–25°C.
Side-by-Side Comparison
All three are excellent choices — but each has a different sweet spot.
| Compound |
Type |
Conductivity |
Ease of Use |
Best For |
Price (SG) |
| Arctic MX-4 |
Carbon-based |
8.5 W/mK |
Very easy |
Everyday builds |
~$12–$18 |
| Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut |
Silicone-based |
12.5 W/mK |
Easy |
High-performance CPUs |
~$22–$35 |
| Honeywell PTM7950 |
Phase-change pad |
~11.5 W/mK |
Moderate |
Laptops, thin coolers |
~$18–$30 |
COMPOUND #1
Arctic MX-4
The safe, reliable, easy choice — trusted by technicians worldwide.
Pros
✓Non-conductive — no risk if it spreads
✓Extremely smooth and easy to apply
✓No curing time — works immediately
✓Long shelf life (8 years)
✓Affordable and widely available in SG
Cons
×Lower conductivity than Kryonaut
×Not ideal for extreme overclocking setups
Best for: General PC cleaning and repaste service, budget-conscious users, everyday gaming and productivity rigs. Our go-to recommendation for most desktop service jobs.
COMPOUND #2
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
The enthusiast favourite — top-tier performance for demanding CPUs and cooler upgrades.
Pros
✓One of the highest thermal conductivities available (12.5 W/mK)
✓Excellent for high-TDP CPUs (i9, Ryzen 9, Threadripper)
✓Non-electrically conductive
✓Trusted by overclockers and professionals
✓What we use for Valkyrie R125 cooler installs
Cons
×Slightly thicker — requires even spreading
×More expensive than MX-4
×Can dry out faster under sustained extreme heat
Best for: High-performance desktop builds, CPU cooler upgrades, overclocked rigs, and any build where you want the best possible thermal performance. Our choice for cooler installs like the Valkyrie R125.
COMPOUND #3
Honeywell PTM7950
The phase-change pad — a different approach that excels in thin, flat contact surfaces.
What is a phase-change compound? PTM7950 is a solid pad at room temperature. It melts (transitions to liquid) at around 45°C under load, then fills the gap perfectly and re-solidifies when cool. This gives exceptional surface coverage with zero mess.
Pros
✓Phase-change — fills gaps perfectly under heat
✓No pump-out effect — stays in place long-term
✓Extremely clean to apply (pad format)
✓Excellent longevity
✓Great for laptops and slim cooler contacts
Cons
×Needs to reach operating temp before full effect
×Trickier to cut and position precisely
×Slightly harder to find in Singapore
×Overkill for most standard desktop repastes
Best for: Laptops with flat IHS contacts, situations where you want zero mess, long-term installs where you won’t be removing the cooler often, and premium builds where longevity matters more than price.
🔧 Which Do We Use at Our Shop?
At Affordable Laptop Services, we use all three depending on the job:
✅
Arctic MX-4Standard desktop cleaning and repaste jobs. Reliable, fast to apply, great results for the vast majority of PCs we service. No risk of spreading onto components.
⭐
Thermal Grizzly KryonautPremium cooler installs (like the Valkyrie R125), high-performance desktop builds, and any CPU rated above 125W TDP. Our go-to for enthusiast-level service.
🖥
Honeywell PTM7950Laptop repastes where flat contact and long service intervals are important, and select desktop builds where the customer wants the cleanest possible long-term install.
📅 How Often Should You Replace Thermal Paste?
2–3 years
Heavy gaming / high-load PCs
3–5 years
General use desktops
Anytime
Temps suddenly spike or performance drops
Singapore’s heat and humidity accelerates paste degradation. If your PC is running hot and it hasn’t been serviced in 2+ years, a repaste is almost always worthwhile.
Need a Thermal Paste Replacement?
We repaste desktops and laptops at all 4 locations across Singapore. Drop in or WhatsApp first — same-day service from $50.
WhatsApp 9713 8317 →
