Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste for High-TDP CPUs
We weighed five thermal pastes on tube size and amount; the MX-7 8g has the largest tube size, and the GC5 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
High-TDP chips heat and cool the paste over a wide range every day, which causes pump-out in weaker formulas. Every pick names high-power use or pump-out resistance, ordered by tube size.
Rankings weigh amount, compound and electrically non-conductive as the makers state them; we did not test these thermal pastes ourselves, and if a maker skips compound, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Tube Size
ARCTIC MX-7 (8g)
The largest tube size here (8g).
Best for: Buyers who put tube size first.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (6g)
A formula built to minimise pump-out.
Best for: Buyers who want formula built to minimise pump-out.
Our take Check price for Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (6g) (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Gelid Solutions GC5 (3.5g)
A lower price than the MX-7 8g and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting resistance to pump-out and drying under sustained load for the least money.
Our take Check price for Gelid Solutions GC5 (3.5g) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Corsair XTM70 (3g)
A low-viscosity formula.
Best for: Buyers who want low-viscosity formula.
Our take Check price for Corsair XTM70 (3g) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (2g)
Aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles.
Best for: Buyers who want aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles.
Our take Check price for Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (2g) (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-7 (8g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A formula built to minimise pump-out. | Buyers who want formula built to minimise pump-out. | Check price for Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (6g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the MX-7 8g and the rest when we checked. | Getting resistance to pump-out and drying under sustained load for the least money. | Check price for Gelid Solutions GC5 (3.5g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A low-viscosity formula. | Buyers who want low-viscosity formula. | Check price for Corsair XTM70 (3g) (opens in a new tab) |
| Aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles. | Buyers who want aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles. | Check price for Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (2g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Tube Size1 of 5
ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MX-7 is ARCTIC's densest paste, built to resist pump-out, drying and bleeding across repeated heat cycles.
Best for
- Buyers who put tube size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the GC5 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is designed to be pressed out by the cooler rather than spread, and the 8g tube lasts for many builds. Nothing else here matches its 8g tube size; the Duronaut 6g comes closest at 6g. It also offers a dense, high-filler formula.
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. Do not pre-spread it; let the cooler's mounting pressure distribute it. When we checked, only the GC5 cost less, and the Duronaut cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 8g
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
- Application: Cannot be spread by hand; cooler pressure distributes it
Pros
- 8g is enough for several applications
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Dense, high-filler formula
- Resistance to pump-out, dry-out and bleeding over repeated heat cycles
Cons
- Costs more than the GC5 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (6g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Duronaut is Thermal Grizzly's durability-focused paste, using aluminium and zinc oxide particles to minimise pump-out.
Best for
- Buyers who want formula built to minimise pump-out.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the GC5 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The 6g tube comes with a TG Spatula Pro and suits hot CPUs you do not want to remount often. On tube size it sits mid-pack at 6g: the MX-7 8g comes in at 8g, and the Duronaut comes in at 2g. It also offers a paste that does not harden over time.
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 priced above the Duronaut and below the XTM70 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 6g
- Compound: Aluminium and zinc oxide particles
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
- In the box: a TG Spatula Pro
Pros
- 6g is enough for several applications
- Aluminium and zinc oxide particles formula
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Includes a TG Spatula Pro
Cons
- Costs more than the GC5 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Gelid Solutions GC5 (3.5g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
GC5 is Gelid's newest paste, a nano diamond-ceramic formula built to resist pump-out and drying under sustained load.
Best for
- Getting resistance to pump-out and drying under sustained load for the least money.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: tube size of 3.5g, behind the MX-7 8g (8g).
Why we like it
It is non-conductive, non-curing and one of the cheapest 3.5g tubes here. It suits CPUs, GPUs, consoles and laptops. On tube size it sits mid-pack at 3.5g: the MX-7 8g comes in at 8g, and the Duronaut comes in at 2g.
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 is electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the MX-7 8g the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 3.5g
- Compound: Nano diamond-ceramic
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- Nano diamond-ceramic formula
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Resistance to pump-out and drying under sustained load
- Non-curing, non-corrosive formula
Cons
- Tube size of 3.5g, behind the MX-7 8g (8g)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
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 low-viscosity formula.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the GC5 cost less when we checked.
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. On tube size it sits mid-pack at 3g: the MX-7 8g comes in at 8g, and the Duronaut comes in at 2g. 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.
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
- Tube size of 3g, ahead of the Duronaut
Cons
- Costs more than the GC5 at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Duronaut is Thermal Grizzly's long-life paste, built to minimise pump-out and sold with a spatula.
Best for
- Buyers who want aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the MX-7 8g offers 8g.
Why we like it
It suits high-power CPUs that run hot for hours. Its 2g tube size is the smallest in this group; the MX-7 8g leads at 8g. It also offers aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles.
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 is electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. It also brings includes a TG Spatula Pro. Its price falls between the MX-7 8g and the Duronaut 6g, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 2g
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
- In the box: a TG Spatula Pro
Pros
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Includes a TG Spatula Pro
- Aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles
- Formula built to minimise pump-out
Cons
- Tube size trails the MX-7 8g (8g)
- Costs more than the GC5 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.
- Safety
- We checked that each paste is listed as electrically non-conductive.
- Value
- We compared tube sizes and what comes in the box.
- Application
- We noted spreaders, wipes and the maker's application guidance.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste for High-TDP CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Buy the amount you will use
One large CPU uses about 0.2g to 0.5g. A 1g tube covers a couple of builds; 4g or more suits regular remounts or several machines.
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.
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.
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.
Syringes are easier to control
A syringe tip lets you place a precise dot and reseal the rest. Tubs and wide nozzles tend to waste paste.
How to Choose a Thermal Paste for High-TDP CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put tube size first | MX-7 8g | The largest tube size here (8g) |
| Buyers who want formula built to minimise pump-out | Duronaut 6g | A formula built to minimise pump-out |
| Getting resistance to pump-out and drying under sustained load for the least money | GC5 | A lower price than the MX-7 8g and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want low-viscosity formula | XTM70 | A low-viscosity formula |
| Buyers who want aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles | Duronaut | Aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | Compound | Electrically non-conductive | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-7 8g | 8g | Not listed | Yes | Not listed |
| Duronaut 6g | 6g | Aluminium and zinc oxide particles | Yes | a TG Spatula Pro |
| GC5 | 3.5g | Nano diamond-ceramic | Yes | Not listed |
| XTM70 | 3g | Not listed | Not listed | an applicator kit and three cleaning wipes |
| Duronaut | 2g | Not listed | Yes | a TG Spatula Pro |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these thermal pastes compare on tube size?
The MX-7 8g, at 8g. The Duronaut 6g follows at 6g, while the Duronaut has 2g.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The GC5. It undercut the MX-7 8g when we checked, while the XTM70 cost the most of the group.
Is the paste that comes with my cooler good enough?
Usually yes. Aftermarket paste helps most when remounting or when the included paste has run out.
How do I remove old paste?
Wipe it off with a lint-free cloth and 90% or stronger isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry.
Does thermal paste expire in the tube?
It can separate or thicken after a few years in storage. Noctua, for example, recommends using its paste within three years of purchase.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MX-7 8g, chosen for the largest tube size here (8g). Look at the Duronaut 6g for a formula built to minimise pump-out, the GC5 for a lower price than the MX-7 8g and the rest when we checked and the XTM70 for a low-viscosity formula if those matter more to you.
Use a contact frame on Intel's LGA1700 and LGA1851 for even pressure.