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The original “fat” PS3 (CECHA through CECHL) is a reflow/repair job at this point, not a current product, but the thermal compound you use on the CELL and RSX dies is very much a currently sold item. Most PS3-fat overheating comes from the stock paste drying out over 15+ years — these are the compounds enthusiasts and repair techs actually reach for on this specific job.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arctic MX-4 | $6-$9 (4g tube) | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Arctic MX-6 | $7-$10 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Noctua NT-H1 | $11-$12 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Noctua NT-H2 | $14-$15 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut | $9-$27 (size-dependent) | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Corsair XTM50 / TM30 | $8-$15 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | IC Diamond 7 Carat | $8-$20 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | GELID GC-Extreme | $9-$10 (3.5g) | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Cooler Master MasterGel Pro | $10-$15 | Amazon · eBay |
| 10 | Prolimatech PK-3 | $14-$28 (size-dependent) | Amazon · eBay |
| 11 | Thermalright TF7 | $3-$10 (size-dependent) | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Arctic MX-4
The most commonly recommended compound for this exact repair — non-conductive, easy to apply, and priced low enough that a bad application isn’t a costly mistake.
- Non-electrically-conductive carbon-based paste
- 8.5 W/mK thermal conductivity
- Long-lasting formula (doesn’t dry out quickly)
- Sold in 4g/8g/20g tubes
- Widely used and documented specifically for PS3/console reflow jobs
- Non-conductive, so it’s forgiving of a slightly messy application near other components
- Slightly lower conductivity than premium options like Kryonaut
Arctic MX-6
MX-4’s newer sibling with a refined metal-oxide microparticle formula — worth the swap if you want the same easy application with a modest conductivity bump.
- Non-electrically-conductive
- Improved formula over MX-4
- Sold in multiple gram sizes
- Same easy, forgiving application as MX-4
- Newer formula with better longevity claims
- Overkill for a single console reflow if MX-4 is cheaper locally
Noctua NT-H1
A hybrid thermal compound with a long award history in PC cooling, also commonly recommended for this specific console repair.
- Hybrid carbon/metal-oxide compound
- Non-electrically-conductive
- Sold in 3.5g syringe
- Extremely well-documented performance across PC and console repairs alike
- Easy, mess-tolerant application
- Slightly pricier per gram than Arctic MX-4
Noctua NT-H2
Noctua’s newer hybrid compound, with a modest conductivity improvement over NT-H1 for a small price step up.
- Hybrid carbon/metal-oxide compound
- Non-electrically-conductive
- Sold in 3.5g syringe
- Slight performance edge over NT-H1
- Same easy, mess-tolerant application
- Marginal real-world difference from NT-H1 on a console-scale job
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
A higher-conductivity carbon-based paste, worth the step up if you want maximum headroom on a console that’s already run hot for over a decade.
- 12.5 W/mK thermal conductivity
- Non-electrically-conductive
- Sold in 1g and 5.55g sizes
- Notably higher conductivity than MX-4 or NT-H1
- Small 1g size is plenty for a single PS3 reflow
- Pricier per gram than the budget options above
Corsair XTM50 / TM30
Corsair’s thermal compound line, a solid mid-range option with an included applicator that makes a clean, even spread easier on a small die.
- Ultra-low thermal impedance formula
- Includes application tool
- Sold in 3g/5g tubes
- Included applicator helps with an even, thin layer on a small chip
- Competitively priced against Kryonaut
- Less third-party console-specific documentation than MX-4/NT-H1
IC Diamond 7 Carat
A diamond-particle compound with a strong reputation among enthusiasts for squeezing out extra thermal headroom on hot-running chips.
- Diamond-particle thermal compound
- 4.5 W/mK rated conductivity
- Sold in 1.5g tube
- Long-standing enthusiast reputation for hot-running chips
- Small tube size fits a single console job without waste
- Requires more careful, thin application than gel-style pastes
GELID GC-Extreme
A well-regarded mid-range compound with an included spatula, priced close to the budget options while offering higher rated conductivity.
- 8.5 W/mK thermal conductivity
- Non-corrosive formula
- Includes spatula tool
- Sold in 1g-10g sizes
- Good conductivity-to-price ratio
- Easy application with the included tool
- Smallest sizes (1g) leave little margin for a second attempt
Cooler Master MasterGel Pro
A widely stocked mid-range compound with a flat-nozzle applicator syringe, making a thin, even spread easier on the CELL/RSX die.
- Up to 9 W/mK thermal conductivity (V2)
- Non-electrically-conductive
- Flat-nozzle applicator included
- Sold in 1.5g-2.6g sizes
- Applicator syringe design suits a small, precise console job well
- Widely available from a well-known cooling brand
- Multiple similarly named versions (Pro, Pro V2, Maker) — check the exact SKU
Prolimatech PK-3
A nano-aluminum compound with a strong reputation among overclockers, available in a small enough tube that a single console job doesn’t mean buying more than needed.
- 11.2 W/mK thermal conductivity
- Nano-aluminum formula
- Sold from 1.5g up to 30g
- Small 1.5g size avoids overbuying for a one-off repair
- Strong enthusiast reputation for conductivity
- Less commonly stocked at brick-and-mortar retailers than Arctic or Noctua
Thermalright TF7
A newer budget-friendly compound with surprisingly high rated conductivity for its price, and it ships with its own application tool.
- 12.8 W/mK thermal conductivity
- Includes scraper/applicator tool
- Sold in 2g-8g sizes
- Very low cost per tube relative to its rated conductivity
- Small sizes are ideal for a single console reflow
- Newer to the market with less long-term track record than Arctic or Noctua
Buying tips
- Most PS3-fat overheating at this age comes from dried-out stock paste on the CELL and RSX dies, not a hardware fault — a reflow-and-repaste is the standard fix, not a motherboard replacement.
- Non-electrically-conductive pastes (all of these) are the safer choice for a console reflow, since a small amount straying onto nearby traces won’t cause a short.
- Apply a thin, even layer rather than a thick blob — too much paste insulates rather than conducts, especially on the small CELL/RSX die surfaces.
- This is a repair/reflow context on a console that’s been out of production for well over a decade — pair any paste choice with realistic expectations about the rest of the unit’s remaining lifespan.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.