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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Tube Size
ARCTIC MX-7 (8g)The largest tube size here (8g).
Best for: Buyers who put tube size first.
Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) on Amazon (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.
Check price for Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (6g) on Amazon (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.
Check price for Gelid Solutions GC5 (3.5g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Corsair XTM70 (3g)A low-viscosity formula.
Best for: Buyers who want low-viscosity formula.
Check price for Corsair XTM70 (3g) on Amazon (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.
Check price for Thermal Grizzly Duronaut (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Tube Size1 of 5
ARCTIC MX-7 (8g)
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 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)
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 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)
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: 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 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)
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 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)
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: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. Worth noting: includes a TG Spatula Pro. Its price falls between the MX-7 8g and the Duronaut 6g, based on our last check.
Key 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
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five pastes on tube size, compound, electrically non-conductive and in the box as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out compound.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MX-7 8g to the Duronaut, state tube size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MX-7 8g, the XTM70 and the Duronaut give no compound; the XTM70 gives no electrically non-conductive.
- Price range
- From the GC5 to the XTM70, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste for High-TDP CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Tube size
Here tube size runs from 2g on the Duronaut to 8g on the MX-7 8g, a 300% spread. Start with the MX-7 8g if tube size decides it.
Extras that separate them
The GC5: a non-curing, non-corrosive formula. The XTM70: a rating for processors up to 250W TDP and beyond. The Duronaut: a formula built to minimise pump-out.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card How much to spend
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the GC5 at the low end to the XTM70 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put tube size first: the MX-7 8g. Getting resistance to pump-out and drying under sustained load for the least money: the GC5.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Choose non-conductive paste
Non-conductive pastes are safe if a little spills onto nearby parts. Avoid liquid metal unless you know the risks.
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
The MX-7 8g leads on tube size at 8g, ahead of the Duronaut 6g at 6g. "Not listed" marks compound where the MX-7 8g, the XTM70 and the Duronaut leave the figure out.
| 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
Which has the largest tube size: the MX-7 8g or the Duronaut 6g?
The MX-7 8g tops tube size at 8g; the Duronaut 6g follows at 6g, 33% apart. The Duronaut closes the ranking at 2g.
What does the XTM70 add over the GC5?
The XTM70 matches or trails the GC5 on tube size. The GC5 leads on tube size (3.5g). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the MX-7 8g our Largest Tube Size pick?
It earns the label for the largest tube size here (8g). On tube size it leads the Duronaut 6g, 8g against 6g, a 33% margin. It is aimed at anyone who puts tube size first.
Does the MX-7 8g have electrically non-conductive, and which others do?
The MX-7 8g, the Duronaut 6g, the GC5 and the Duronaut have it. The XTM70 has no electrically non-conductive listed, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
What extras do the MX-7 8g and the Duronaut 6g include?
The MX-7 8g: a dense, high-filler formula. The Duronaut 6g: a formula built to minimise pump-out. The GC5: resistance to pump-out and drying under sustained load.
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.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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