Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste for GPU
From the MX-6 8g to the NT-H1 SW: four thermal pastes ranked on tube size and amount, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A graphics card repaste needs a paste whose listing names GPU use and that does not conduct electricity if a little spreads onto the board. Every pick here names GPU or graphics-card use in its listing.
Our comparison rests on published figures for amount, electrically non-conductive and in the box; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out electrically non-conductive, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Tube Size
ARCTIC MX-6 (8g)
The largest tube size here (8g).
Best for: Buyers who put tube size first.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 (8g) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ARCTIC MX-6 with MX Cleaner (4g)
Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Best for: Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 with MX Cleaner (4g) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ARCTIC MX-6 (4g)
Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Best for: Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 (4g) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Noctua NT-H1 SW Edition (3.5g)
A rated usage time of up to five years on a CPU or GPU at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MX-6 8g costs less.
Our take Check price for Noctua NT-H1 SW Edition (3.5g) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest tube size here (8g). | Buyers who put tube size first. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 (8g) (opens in a new tab) |
| Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. | Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 with MX Cleaner (4g) (opens in a new tab) |
| Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. | Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 (4g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A rated usage time of up to five years on a CPU or GPU at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MX-6 8g costs less. | Check price for Noctua NT-H1 SW Edition (3.5g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Tube Size1 of 4
ARCTIC MX-6 (8g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MX-6 improves on MX-4's thermal resistance by ARCTIC's own measure and is thin enough for direct-die GPU and console chips.
Best for
- Buyers who put tube size first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
The 8g tube is the value size for anyone who repastes more than one machine. Its viscosity also suits direct-die work on graphics cards and consoles, where a thin layer matters. It is neither electrically conductive nor capacitive, so a little overflow onto nearby parts does no harm.
On tube size it leads this guide at 8g, ahead of the MX-6 with cleaner (4g). 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MX-6 with cleaner was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 8g
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- 8g is enough for several applications
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure
- Viscosity suited to direct-die GPU and console chips
Also Consider2 of 4
ARCTIC MX-6 with MX Cleaner (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 4g MX-6 comes with six MX Cleaner wipes, so the old paste comes off without a trip for isopropyl alcohol.
Best for
- Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MX-6 8g, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is neither electrically conductive nor capacitive, which makes it safe for bare GPU dies. On tube size it ties with the MX-6 at 4g. It also offers lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure and a viscosity suited to direct-die GPU and console chips.
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. You also get this: 4g is enough for several applications. When we checked, only the MX-6 8g cost less, and the MX-6 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 4g
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
- In the box: six MX Cleaner wipes
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Includes six MX Cleaner wipes
- Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure
Cons
- Costs more than the MX-6 8g at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ARCTIC MX-6 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MX-6 is the dependable all-rounder: 4g of non-conductive paste that Arctic says beats MX-4, with a consistency suited to bare GPU dies.
Best for
- Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MX-6 8g, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the value choice for regular use. It matches the MX-6 with cleaner on tube size (4g). It also comes with lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure and a viscosity suited to direct-die GPU use.
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. Another plus: 4g is enough for several applications. Worth noting: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. Its price falls between the MX-6 with cleaner and the NT-H1 SW, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 4g
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure
- Viscosity suited to direct-die GPU use
Cons
- Costs more than the MX-6 8g at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Noctua NT-H1 SW Edition (3.5g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SW Edition adds a spatula and three cleaning wipes to NT-H1, so it covers a full repaste from cleanup to spreading.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MX-6 8g costs less.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the MX-6 8g offers 8g.
Why we like it
Noctua rates it for up to five years on a CPU or GPU. Its 3.5g tube size is the smallest in this group; the MX-6 8g leads at 8g. You also get a rated usage time of up to five years on a CPU or GPU and wipes that remove old paste without a separate cleaner.
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 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MX-6 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 3.5g
- Rated service life: up to 5 years
- Applications per tube: About 3 to 20
- In the box: a spatula and three cleaning wipes
Pros
- Maker-rated for up to 5 years without reapplying
- Includes a spatula and three cleaning wipes
- Rated usage time of up to five years on a CPU or GPU
- Wipes that remove old paste without a separate cleaner
Cons
- Tube size trails the MX-6 8g (8g)
- Costs more than the MX-6 8g at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up four pastes on tube size, electrically non-conductive and in the box from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and electrically non-conductive and in the box are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the MX-6 8g to the NT-H1 SW, state tube size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NT-H1 SW gives no electrically non-conductive; the MX-6 8g and the MX-6 give no in the box.
- Price range
- From the MX-6 8g to the NT-H1 SW, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste for GPU
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Tube size
Here tube size runs from 3.5g on the NT-H1 SW to 8g on the MX-6 8g, a 129% spread. Start with the MX-6 8g if tube size decides it.
Features beyond the spec table
The MX-6 8g: a viscosity suited to direct-die GPU and console chips. The MX-6: a viscosity suited to direct-die GPU use. The NT-H1 SW: wipes that remove old paste without a separate cleaner.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 4: the MX-6 8g through the NT-H1 SW all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves tube size to decide it.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put tube size first: the MX-6 8g. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MX-6 8g costs less: the NT-H1 SW.
Kits save a trip to the drawer
Wipes, a spatula or an applicator card make a repaste cleaner. They matter most for a first build or for repasting a graphics card.
How to Choose a Thermal Paste for GPU
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put tube size first | MX-6 8g | The largest tube size here (8g) |
| Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure | MX-6 with cleaner | Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure |
| Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure | MX-6 | Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the MX-6 8g costs less | NT-H1 SW | A rated usage time of up to five years on a CPU or GPU at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MX-6 8g leads on tube size at 8g, ahead of the MX-6 with cleaner at 4g. "Not listed" marks electrically non-conductive where the NT-H1 SW leaves the figure out.
| Paste | Amount | Electrically non-conductive | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX-6 8g | 8g | Yes | Not listed |
| MX-6 with cleaner | 4g | Yes | six MX Cleaner wipes |
| MX-6 | 4g | Yes | Not listed |
| NT-H1 SW | 3.5g | Not listed | a spatula and three cleaning wipes |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest tube size: the MX-6 8g or the MX-6 with cleaner?
Between the top two, it is 8g on the MX-6 8g against 4g on the MX-6 with cleaner, a 100% difference. The spread runs down to the NT-H1 SW at 3.5g.
Is the NT-H1 SW worth paying more than the MX-6 8g?
The NT-H1 SW matches or trails the MX-6 8g on tube size. The MX-6 8g leads on tube size (8g). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
What makes the MX-6 8g the Largest Tube Size?
It earns the label for the largest tube size here (8g). The MX-6 with cleaner is next on tube size at 4g, so this pick's 8g is 100% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts tube size first.
Which of these pastes have electrically non-conductive?
The MX-6 8g, the MX-6 with cleaner and the MX-6 have it. The maker of the NT-H1 SW doesn't state electrically non-conductive, so 3 of 4 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the MX-6 8g and the MX-6 with cleaner apart?
The MX-6 8g: lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. The MX-6 with cleaner: lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. The MX-6: lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MX-6 8g, chosen for the largest tube size here (8g). Look at the MX-6 with cleaner for lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure, the MX-6 for lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure and the NT-H1 SW for a rated usage time of up to five years on a CPU or GPU at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Clean the old paste off the core with isopropyl alcohol and keep paste off the memory chips and the pad areas around the die.