Thermalright

Thermalright TF8

Expert rating6.6 / 10

View on Thermalright (Manufacturer)View on thermalright.com

Material:: Silicone-Based
Thermal Conductivity:: 13.8 W/mK
Electrical Conductivity:: Non-Conductive
Recommended Use:: High-end CPU/GPU

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Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

Manufacturer: Thermalright Last updated: 2026-10-06

Where to buy

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Thermalright TF8 Review

Thermalright TF8 is a 13.8 W/mK silicone-based thermal paste sold in 1.2g, 2g, 5.8g and 12.8g syringes.

TF8 used to be a budget insider tip, and the original batch earned it: igor'sLAB found well-ground aluminum oxide filler and called it one of the best pastes it had tested, if hard to spread. Then in 2025 igor'sLAB retested new stock and issued a purchase warning, measuring fewer filler particles, lower viscosity and 3.9 W/mK effective conductivity under the same name. Thermalright still rates TF8 at 13.8 W/mK. We can't tell you which batch you'll get, so we'd buy Thermalright TF7 instead, which igor'sLAB named the best practical choice in the TF range.

Thermal Performance and Conductivity

Thermalright rates TF8 at 13.8 W/mK with thermal impedance under 0.01 C-cm2/W. Independent measurement tells a different story: igor'sLAB put the original TF8 near 5 W/mK, still among the best it had tested, and measured a 2025 batch at 3.9 W/mK.

The spec sheet number is a ceiling, not what lands on your CPU.

Compound Type and Composition

TF8 is a grey silicone-based grease with a specific gravity of 2.9. igor'sLAB found the original used well-ground aluminum oxide particles. The 2025 batch it tested contained aluminum oxide, zinc oxide and silicone with fewer thermal particles, which it described as a cost-down under the same name.

Application and Consistency

The original TF8 is viscous and demanding; igor'sLAB said thin layers take genuine technique. A spatula is included. The 2025 batch has lower viscosity, which makes it easier to spread but reflects the reduced filler.

Syringes come in 1.2g, 2g, 5.8g and 12.8g.

Electrical Safety

Thermalright lists TF8 as electrically non-conductive and harmless. Squeeze-out on board components is a cleanup issue, not a short risk.

Longevity and Pump-Out Resistance

Thermalright's page notes no curing time and lists a usable range of 220C/380C, which our listing records as -220C to 380C. No lifespan, reapplication interval or pump-out data is published. The original dense formula should hold well on a CPU heatspreader; we have no data on the 2025 batch's long-term stability.

Comparison to Alternatives

Against Thermalright TF7 (12.8 W/mK), TF7 is the safer buy: igor'sLAB rated it the best practical choice in the TF range. Against Thermalright TFX and TF9, TF8 is easier to apply. Against Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut and ID-Cooling Frost X45, both avoid TF8's batch uncertainty.

Winner for: nobody right now, unless you can confirm you have pre-2025 stock.

Our verdict

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Expert rating6.6 / 10

A high-density filler paste from an older TF-series batch; buyers should be aware a 2025 formula change was flagged by independent testers.

Best for

Buyers who can confirm pre-2025 stock and want a dense, high-performing paste
Experienced builders comfortable spreading stiff paste

Not for

Anyone who can't verify which TF8 batch they are buying
Beginners who want an easy thin spread
Extreme sub-zero overclocking

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity and form

Brand	Thermalright
Model	TF8
Material Class	Silicone-Based

Thermal performance

Conductivity Source	https://www.thermalright.com/product/tf8-thermal-paste-1-2g/

Electrical and board risk

Paste Segment	Standard Paste

Application

Viscosity	Dense mix of thermally conductive fillers with relatively little silicone binder, per igor'sLAB teardown
Applicator Included	Spatula

Operating envelope

Max Operating Temperature	380 C

Quantity, volume versus weight

Density	2.9 g/cm3

Thermal Conductivity	13.8 W/mK
Electrical Conductivity	Insulating
Package Size	1.2g, 2g, 5.8g, 12.8g syringe options
Recommended Use	High-end CPU/GPU
Safety Notes	Electrically non-conductive, harmless per manufacturer

FAQs

Did Thermalright change the TF8 formula in 2025?

igor'sLAB retested TF8 in February 2025 and found fewer thermal particles and lower viscosity than the original, measuring 3.9 W/mK. It issued a purchase warning for paste sold under the same name.

Is TF8 really 13.8 W/mK?

That is Thermalright's rating. igor'sLAB measured the original TF8 near 5 W/mK and the 2025 batch at 3.9 W/mK. Independent measurements of nearly all pastes come in well below the box figure.

Is Thermalright TF8 hard to apply?

The original was viscous and needed technique for a thin layer. The 2025 batch is thinner and easier to spread.

Is TF8 electrically conductive?

No. Thermalright lists it as non-conductive and harmless.

Should I buy TF8 or TF7?

We'd buy TF7. igor'sLAB named it the best practical choice in the TF range, and it avoids the batch uncertainty TF8 now carries.