About this guide
Repasting a PS4’s APU is one of the most effective fixes for a console that’s suddenly loud or throttling, since the factory paste dries out well before most consoles reach end of life. These 7 are real, currently-sold thermal pastes checked against live retailer listings at the time of writing, all explicitly rated safe for console CPU/GPU dies, running from a $7 budget tube to a $25 premium syringe.
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The picks, in detail
Arctic MX-4
The default recommendation for a PS4 repaste — carbon-based, non-electrically-conductive, and easy to apply cleanly even for a first-time repaste.
- Carbon microparticle compound
- Non-electrically-conductive, non-capacitive
- Includes spatula in most listings
- Best value-per-degree of anything on this list
- Very beginner-friendly application
- Needs reapplication every 2-3 years for best results
Noctua NT-H1
A creamy, easy-to-spread paste known for long-term stability — a solid pick if you don't want to think about repasting again for years.
- 3.5g syringe
- Long-term stable formula
- Easy, beginner-friendly consistency
- Excellent long-term stability, less likely to need re-doing soon
- Very easy, forgiving application
- Smaller 3.5g tube than some rivals at a similar price
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
A high-performance paste built for overclocking and demanding coolers, more paste than a PS4 strictly needs but a genuine upgrade if you want the lowest possible temps.
- Extremely high thermal conductivity
- Explicitly listed as PS4/PS5/Xbox safe
- Available in 1g to 11.1g sizes
- Among the best-performing pastes on the market
- 1g size is priced reasonably for a single console job
- Larger tube sizes cost far more than a single PS4 repaste needs
Arctic Silver 5
A long-running, well-known silver-based compound — an older formula than the others here but still a reliable, widely available choice.
- High-density polysynthetic silver compound
- 3.5g tube
- Long track record in PC and console builds
- Cheapest listed price of any option here
- Decades of use history
- Requires a longer break-in/cure period than newer compounds
Corsair TM30 Performance Thermal Paste
A straightforward, ultra-low-thermal-impedance paste from a major PC-hardware brand, with an included applicator for an even spread on a small die.
- 3g tube with applicator
- Ultra-low thermal impedance formula
- Silver-grey compound
- Budget price from a well-known hardware brand
- Applicator makes even spreading easier
- Smaller 3g tube — fine for one console, not several
GELID GC-Extreme
A well-regarded mid-tier compound that balances strong thermal performance with an easy, non-corrosive application — a common recommendation just above the true budget tier.
- High thermal conductivity rating
- Non-corrosive formula
- Available from 1g to 10g
- Strong performance-to-price balance
- Multiple size options for different budgets
- Larger sizes cost more than a single PS4 job needs
Cooler Master MasterGel Maker
A nanoparticle-diamond compound aimed at serious cooling performance, the priciest single-tube option here for anyone chasing the lowest possible APU temps.
- Diamond nanoparticle compound
- Flat-nozzle syringe for controlled application
- 4g tube
- High thermal conductivity spec (11 W/mK)
- Flat-nozzle design applies more precisely than a round tip
- Most expensive tube on this list for a single console repaste
What each one costs
Typical price, cheapest first. Tap a name to jump to that pick and its buy link.
Compare any three
| Arctic MX-4 | Noctua NT-H1 | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $8-$9 | $12-$14 | $9-$32 |
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Buying tips
- A PS4 needs only a rice-grain-to-pea-sized dot per die — none of these tubes will run out on a single console, even the smallest 1g syringes.
- Clean off the old factory paste completely with isopropyl alcohol (90%+) before applying new paste; leftover dried paste ruins contact even with premium compound on top.
- Non-electrically-conductive pastes (MX-4, NT-H1, TM30, GC-Extreme) are the safer choice for a first repaste — a stray drop of a conductive silver paste can short a board.
- If your PS4 is loud but not yet throttling, repasting now is cheaper insurance than waiting until thermal shutdown starts happening.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.