Buying Guide
The Best Low-Viscosity Thermal Paste
Three thermal pastes compared, from the XTM60 to the XTM70, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Low-viscosity paste flows into fine surface channels and spreads with little effort. Every pick is sold as low-viscosity, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: amount and in the box come from each maker's published specs; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair XTM60 (3g)
Undercutting the XTM50 on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Corsair XTM60 (3g) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Tube Size
Corsair XTM50 (5g)
The largest tube size here (5g).
Best for: Buyers who put tube size first.
Our take Check price for Corsair XTM50 (5g) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair XTM70 (3g)
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a low-viscosity formula.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Corsair XTM70 (3g) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the XTM50 on price when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Corsair XTM60 (3g) (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest tube size here (5g). | Buyers who put tube size first. | Check price for Corsair XTM50 (5g) (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a low-viscosity formula. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Corsair XTM70 (3g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Corsair XTM60 (3g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XTM60 is Corsair's low-viscosity paste with an applicator card for an even layer every time.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: tube size of 3g, behind the XTM50 (5g).
Why we like it
Corsair pitches it at overclocking and says it resists drying and cracking over time. On tube size it ties with the XTM70 at 3g. Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better.
It makes the most sense for keeping the budget tight, since it offers undercutting the XTM50 on price when we checked. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the XTM50 the next step up. What it gives up: tube size of 3g, behind the XTM50 (5g); by contrast, the XTM50 comes in at 5g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 3g
- In the box: an applicator card
Pros
- Includes an applicator card
- Low-viscosity formula for an even layer
- Resistance to drying and cracking over time
- Undercutting the XTM50 on price when we checked
Cons
- Tube size of 3g, behind the XTM50 (5g)
Largest Tube Size2 of 3
Corsair XTM50 (5g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XTM50 is a zinc-oxide, non-conductive paste with a stencil and spreader in the box, which takes the guesswork out of coverage.
Best for
- Buyers who put tube size first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the XTM60 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its low viscosity fills fine surface channels, and Corsair says it contains no volatile compounds. Its 5g tube size is the largest here; the XTM60 comes next at 3g. It also comes with zero volatile compounds, by the maker's claim.
Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better. Worth noting too: 5g is enough for several applications. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper XTM60 and the pricier XTM70, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 5g
- Compound: Zinc oxide
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
- In the box: an application stencil and spreader
Pros
- 5g is enough for several applications
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Includes an application stencil and spreader
- Low-viscosity compound that fills fine surface channels
Cons
- Costs more than the XTM60 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Corsair XTM70 (3g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XTM70 includes an applicator kit and three wipes, with a low viscosity that spreads easily.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the XTM50 offers 5g.
Why we like it
Corsair rates it for CPUs up to 250W and beyond. Corsair rates it for processors up to 250W TDP and beyond, and the kit includes an applicator and three cleaning wipes. Its low viscosity spreads evenly without much effort.
The 3g tube holds enough for several CPU applications. It matches the XTM60 on tube size (3g). Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better.
It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the XTM50 and the rest. The trade-off is tube size; for more, the XTM50 comes in at 5g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 3g
- In the box: an applicator kit and three cleaning wipes
Pros
- Includes an applicator kit and three cleaning wipes
- Low-viscosity formula
- Rating for processors up to 250W TDP and beyond
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a low-viscosity formula
Cons
- Tube size trails the XTM50 (5g)
- Costs more than the XTM60 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Durability
- We looked for maker claims on pump-out and long-term stability.
- Application
- We noted spreaders, wipes and the maker's application guidance.
- Value
- We compared tube sizes and what comes in the box.
- Safety
- We checked that each paste is listed as electrically non-conductive.
What to Look for in a Low-Viscosity Thermal Paste
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Differences between good pastes are small
Among reputable pastes, temperatures usually differ by a few degrees at most. Mounting pressure and application matter as much as the paste.
Choose non-conductive paste
Non-conductive pastes are safe if a little spills onto nearby parts. Avoid liquid metal unless you know the risks.
Thicker pastes are harder to spread
High-performance pastes are often thick. Warming the tube in your hand makes them easier to apply.
GPU repasting needs more care
Graphics card dies are bare, so non-conductive paste and a thin, even layer matter more. Some pastes are sold specifically for direct-die use.
Check the rated service life
Some makers state how long the paste can stay on a CPU before it needs replacing, from about five years to eight. A longer rating suits a PC you won't open often.
Durability matters on hot CPUs
Some pastes pump out or dry over thermal cycles. Pastes built for long-term stability suit high-power CPUs you do not want to remount often.
How to Choose a Low-Viscosity Thermal Paste
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | XTM60 | Undercutting the XTM50 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who put tube size first | XTM50 | The largest tube size here (5g) |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | XTM70 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a low-viscosity formula |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | In the box |
|---|---|---|
| XTM60 | 3g | an applicator card |
| XTM50 | 5g | an application stencil and spreader |
| XTM70 | 3g | an applicator kit and three cleaning wipes |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these thermal pastes compare on tube size?
The XTM50 leads at 5g, ahead of the XTM60 at 3g; the XTM70 sits at the other end with 3g.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The XTM60. It undercut the XTM50 when we checked, while the XTM70 cost the most of the group.
How much paste should I use?
About a pea-sized dot on most desktop CPUs. Too much mostly spills out; too little leaves gaps.
How do I remove old paste?
Wipe it off with a lint-free cloth and 90% or stronger isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry.
How often should I replace thermal paste?
Only when you remove the cooler or temperatures rise over time. Many pastes last several years on a desktop CPU.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the XTM60, chosen for undercutting the XTM50 on price when we checked. Look at the XTM50 for the largest tube size here (5g) and the XTM70 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a low-viscosity formula if those matter more to you.
Thin pastes can run on vertical mounts; use the recommended amount, not more.