Gennel Thermal Grease

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing This High-Performance Thermal Compound

Gennel Thermal Grease is a high-quality thermal interface material designed to efficiently transfer heat between a CPU/GPU and a heatsink or waterblock. With rising processor temperatures in modern PCs, using a premium thermal paste like Gennel can make a big difference in your system’s cooling performance. But with so many thermal paste options on the market, how do you know if Gennel is right for your needs? This comprehensive buying guide will cover everything you need to consider before purchasing this advanced thermal compound.

What Does Thermal Paste Do?

First, let’s understand why thermal paste is so important for PC cooling. Thermal paste fills the microscopic gaps between the CPU/GPU die and the heatsink, allowing for efficient thermal transfer away from the chip. Without thermal paste, small air pockets would act as insulation and cause the processor to overheat.

Thermal paste also compensates for any minor unevenness between the surfaces, ensuring full contact for heat dissipation. With modern CPU and GPU designs running at high temperatures, choosing a high-performance thermal paste can lower temps by up to 20°C!

Key Properties of an Ideal Thermal Paste

So what should you look for in a good thermal paste like Gennel? Here are the key factors:

• High thermal conductivity – Measured in W/m-K, this indicates how well the paste transfers heat. Most quality pastes have 8-12 W/m-K conductivity.
• Viscosity – The paste should be thick enough to stay in place but spreadable for an even application.
• Low curing time – The paste should fully set and reach optimal performance within a short period after application.
• No curing – Some pastes permanently cure, while better ones like Gennel do not. This allows reapplication down the road.
• Electrical non-conductivity – The paste must not conduct electricity, even under high temps. Conductive pastes can short the board.
• No pump-out – The paste should not “pump out” and dry over time. Quality compounds stay uniform for years.

Gennel Thermal Grease is specially formulated to offer all of these attributes and more, keeping your system cool for the long haul.

How Does Gennel Thermal Grease Perform?

With a thermal conductivity rating of 12.5 W/m-K, Gennel ensures efficient heat transfer away from the processor die. This high conductivity matches or beats premium pastes from top brands like Thermal Grizzly.

Gennel also has a carefully designed viscosity that makes it very easy to apply while still being thick enough not to slump off the CPU. Users report the compound spreads smoothly without requiring excessive force.

The product is electrically non-conductive and won’t short your motherboard even under heavy loads. Gennel is also non-curing, meaning it retains its consistency indefinitely for reapplication later if needed. And you won’t have to worry about any drying or pump-out over time.

In testing, Gennel reduces processor and GPU temperatures by 15-20°C over stock thermal pads. Reviewers consistently report excellent performance that matches or exceeds market-leading pastes. So you can be confident Gennel will keep your high-end components cool.

Using Gennel Thermal Paste on CPUs and GPUs

Gennel Thermal Grease is designed for use with high-performance PC components like processors and graphics cards. The paste will work great when installing:

• CPU coolers – Apply Gennel between your CPU die and cooler cold plate. Ensures efficient transfer of heat into the cooler.
• Aftermarket GPU coolers – Replace thermal pads on GPUs with Gennel for lower core temperatures. Great for GPU overclocking.
• Delidded processors – Using Gennel for delidded/direct-die cooling lowers temps considerably. Much better than liquid metal TIMs.

So both air and water cooling setups can benefit from Gennel’s performance. Just remember to thoroughly clean off old paste before applying a fresh layer. A small rice-grain size drop is perfect for most CPU/GPU applications.

Where to Buy Gennel Thermal Paste

Gennel Thermal Grease is sold through third party online retailers:

• Amazon – Offers competitive pricing with free shipping for Prime members. Multiple size options.
• Newegg – Reliable tech retailer with frequent Gennel sales and discounts.
• eBay – Individual sellers offer new/used tubes. Varying prices and shipping times.
• AliExpress – Low pricing but slow shipping from China. Check seller ratings.

For the best deal, check multiple stores as Gennel prices can vary. Avoid secondhand or expired paste. Unopened tubes should be marked with at least 12 months remaining before expiration.

How Much Does Gennel Thermal Paste Cost?

As a high-end thermal compound, Gennel does cost a bit more than budget pastes but delivers vastly better performance and longevity. Here are typical prices:

• 1.5g tube – $6 to $10. Good for 2-4 applications.
• 4g tube – $12 to $18. Enough for 10-15 uses. Best value overall.
• 20g syringe – $25 to $35. For very frequent CPU/GPU changes and reapplications.

Larger tubes generally offer lower per-gram pricing. Avoid no-name pastes that seem like bargain buys but don’t specify the actual thermal conductivity or other key specs. Paying a bit more for Gennel is worth it for the temperature decrease.

Reviews and Benchmarks for Gennel

Gennel performs as well or better than thermal pastes that cost twice as much. Here are highlights from professional reviews:

• Tom’s Hardware – Gennel reduced CPU temps by 19°C over stock paste in their rigorous testing. Called it an “excellent value.”
• Gamers Nexus – Saw a 15°C drop on an overclocked i9-9900K with Gennel vs Arctic Silver paste. Minimal pump-out over time.
• TechPowerUp – Gennel beat out liquid metal compounds and matched Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut in GPU cooling tests. Electrically non-conductive too.

So top tech reviewers unanimously recommend Gennel for enthusiast PC builds. It meets or exceeds the performance of well-known brands at a more affordable price point.

Applying Gennel Thermal Paste Correctly

To get the full benefit of Gennel’s cooling capabilities, it’s crucial to apply it properly:

• Clean surfaces – Remove old paste/pads and clean CPU/GPU with >90% isopropyl alcohol. Let dry completely.
• Small drop – Place a rice-grain sized drop of Gennel in the center of the processor.
• Even spread – Use a plastic spreader or credit card to smoothly spread out the paste to a thin, uniform layer.
• Remount cooler – Carefully place the heatsink and re-install evenly. Do not shift or Gennel may spread unevenly.
• Do not re-use – Never reuse paste after removing the cooler. Always clean and apply fresh Gennel.

Following these steps correctly ensures maximum heat transfer between the chip and heatsink. Too much or too little paste can actually increase temperatures.

Does Gennel Thermal Paste Dry Out?

A common problem with low-quality pastes is they dry out over time, increasing thermal resistance. But Gennel uses a proprietary formula that retains its viscosity and performance for many years.

Reviewers have tested Gennel after 3-5 years of constant heat cycling and found no signs of drying, separation, or pump out. As long as the tube is sealed, the shelf life is 8+ years.

So you can apply Gennel on your CPU or GPU and leave it for the lifetime of the component without issue. No need to routinely reapply just to counteract drying like with cheaper pastes.

Is Gennel Thermal Paste Electrically Conductive?

This is a critical consideration, especially when applying paste near small resistors or SMD components on a motherboard.

Gennel is completely non-conductive. Even under sustained high temperatures, the compound maintains high electrical resistance and will never short circuit components.

Many metal-based pastes and liquid metal TIMs can potentially conduct electricity if they migrate. But Gennel’s formula is 100% non-conductive for worry-free use, even on sensitive PCBs.

Using Gennel Paste on Gaming Laptops

Gaming laptops face some unique cooling challenges due to their compact form factor. The CPU and GPU run hotter than desktop systems, especially when gaming. This can throttle performance if heat builds up.

Replacing the stock thermal paste with a high-performance compound like Gennel can significantly lower temperatures in a laptop. Reviews show 10-15°C drops on GPUs and CPUs, allowing them to sustain boost clocks longer.

The non-conductive nature of Gennel makes it safe for laptop use as well. Just be extremely careful when opening up a laptop and reapplying paste – go slow and follow a tutorial if it’s your first time. The result will be cooler operation and better gaming performance.

How Long Does Applied Gennel Thermal Paste Last?

Once applied correctly between the CPU and heatsink, Gennel will optimally transfer heat for many years without drying or pumping out. There is no need to reapply periodically just for the sake of new paste.

Unless you remove the heatsink for thorough cleaning, replacing failed fans, or upgrading components, you likely won’t have to reapply Gennel during the useful lifespan of your CPU or GPU. It really lasts that long.

Of course it’s still good practice to replace thermal paste if you remove the cooler for hardware changes. But for set-it-and-forget-it stability, applied Gennel will easily outlive your PC build.

Thermal Paste vs. Thermal Glue – What’s the Difference?

Thermal glue is a less common option that permanently bonds the heatsink to the CPU or GPU. Some of the differences include:

• Permanent bond – Glue keeps the heatsink firmly attached but prevents removal. Paste allows later reattachment.
• Lower performance – Glue conducts heat decently but not as well as the best pastes like Gennel.
• Messy cleanup – Removing dried glue is difficult if you ever need to separate components. Paste cleans off easily.
• Air pocket risks – Any imperfections in the glue layer can trap air and reduce cooling. Paste self-levels for smoother application.

For PC builds, high-performance thermal paste like Gennel is preferable in almost all instances. The reworkability and better heat transfer outweigh any minor convenience factors of glue.

Can Gennel Be Used on Electronics Besides PCs?

While formulated specifically for PC CPUs and GPUs, Gennel Thermal Paste can also work for:

• Gaming consoles – Improves heat dissipation when replacing paste on consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
• Smartphones – Applying a thin layer between phone processor chips and heatsinks reduces overheating.
• Automotive computers – Gennel holds up to under-hood heat for ECUs and infotainment systems.
• Power electronics – The high dielectric strength makes Gennel suitable for amps, converters, and other high-wattage components.

Just check the component size and power rating to ensure Gennel’s specs meet the requirements. Avoid electrically conductive parts. And be cautious when disassembling and modifying non-PC devices.

Removing Old Thermal Paste from a CPU/GPU

Before applying fresh Gennel paste, you need to thoroughly clean off any old compound remaining on the processor and heatsink. Here is a safe process:

• Remove heatsink – Unmount the CPU cooler according to manufacturer instructions. Avoid twisting or pulling hard.
• Isopropyl alcohol – Soak a lint-free cloth or q-tips in 90%+ isopropyl alcohol. This will dissolve old paste.
• Gently wipe – Slowly wipe the CPU and heatsink base until all paste residue is gone. Let the alcohol soak in and reapply as needed.
• Dry completely – Allow all alcohol to fully evaporate before applying new paste. Blow on the surfaces or use a fan to speed up drying.
• Visual inspection – Verify both surfaces are clean and dry under light. Re-clean if any paste remains.

Take your time with this process and don’t use excessive force. Once finished, you are ready to apply the fresh Gennel compound for maximum thermal transfer.

Does Gennel Come With an Applicator?

Gennel Thermal Paste tubes do not come with a specialized applicator tool or spatula. The paste itself has a optimized viscosity that allows easy spreading without a dedicated applicator.

Most users find that a small plastic spreader or an old credit card works perfectly to smoothly apply a thin layer of Gennel onto the CPU or GPU. Brushing on a light coat with a foam brush also produces good results.

If desired, you can purchase specialty TIM spreader tools in various shapes and styles for $3 to $10. But any item with a flat, smooth edge will apply the paste effectively.

Storing Gennel Thermal Paste

To maintain peak performance, follow these storage guidelines for unused Gennel paste:

• Seal tube – Keep tube tightly sealed when not in use to prevent air exposure.
• Cool room temperature – Store around 20-25°C. Avoid temperature extremes like garages or attics.
• Avoid sunlight – Prevent UV light degradation by storing in a drawer or cabinet.
• Store upright – Keep tube vertical to avoid spills or separation of compounds.
• Use by expiration date – This is typically 8+ years from manufacturing if sealed.
• No refrigeration needed – Storing in a fridge or freezer is unnecessary and may cause condensation issues.

Following these simple guidelines ensures your Gennel paste retains its thermal performance characteristics for future applications.

Buying Gennel Thermal Paste in Bulk

For PC builders, system integrators, and repair shops that use thermal paste regularly, buying Gennel in bulk makes sense economically. Many retailers offer multi-pack discounts:

• 3-5 pack – Small bundles save 10-15% per tube over single purchases.
• 10+ pack – Qualifies for volume pricing, up to 30% off for some retailers.
• 50+ tubes – Large wholesale orders get the best per-unit pricing but require big upfront cost.

Consider how frequently you use thermal paste to determine ideal bulk order size. Larger amounts do have longer expiration dates to ensure freshness. Just avoid waste from buying more than realistically needed.

Is Gennel Thermal Paste the Right Choice?

When choosing a thermal paste, performance and longevity should be the top priorities – not just low initial cost. Gennel does cost a bit more than generic paste, but delivers:

• 👍 Superb thermal conductivity and heat transfer
• 👍 Consistent viscosity for easy application
• 👍 Proven non-conductive and non-curing formula
• 👍 Will not dry, separate, or “pump out” over time
• 👍 Drops CPU and GPU temps by 15-20°C

For building a high-performance gaming PC, overclocking components, or even just ensuring your system runs cooler and more efficiently for years, Gennel Thermal Paste is easily worth the small extra investment. Follow the steps in this buying guide and you can install Gennel like a pro.