Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste in Large Tubes
Four thermal pastes ranked on tube size and amount, where the NT-H2 10g has the largest tube size; the MX-6 8g is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
If you build or repaste several machines, a large tube costs less per application. Every pick holds 5g or more, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these thermal pastes on amount, electrically non-conductive and in the box using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out electrically non-conductive, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ARCTIC MX-6 (8g)
The cheapest way into this group, below the MX-7 8g.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 (8g) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ARCTIC MX-7 (8g)
A dense, high-filler formula.
Best for: Buyers who want dense, high-filler formula.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g)
A maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
Best for: Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
Our take Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Tube Size
Noctua NT-H2 (10g)
The largest tube size here (10g).
Best for: Buyers who put tube size first.
Our take Check price for Noctua NT-H2 (10g) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the MX-7 8g. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 (8g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A dense, high-filler formula. | Buyers who want dense, high-filler formula. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C. | Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C. | Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g) (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest tube size here (10g). | Buyers who put tube size first. | Check price for Noctua NT-H2 (10g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when tube size of 8g, behind the NT-H2 10g (10g is a problem.
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.
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 cheapest of the group when we checked; the MX-7 8g was the next step up. The main gap: tube size of 8g, behind the NT-H2 10g (10g). If that matters, the NT-H2 10g comes in at 10g.
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
Cons
- Tube size of 8g, behind the NT-H2 10g (10g)
Also Consider2 of 4
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 want dense, high-filler formula.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MX-6 8g, which 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. On tube size it ties with the MX-6 8g at 8g. You also get 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. It was priced above the MX-6 8g and below the Kryonaut 5.55g at the time of writing.
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 MX-6 8g at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Kryonaut is Thermal Grizzly's enthusiast paste, sold with a syringe and spatula for a precise thin layer.
Best for
- Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the NT-H2 10g offers 10g.
Why we like it
The 5.55g size suits overclockers who remount often, and the maker says it does not dry out at 80°C. It is popular with overclockers and suits standard builds too. The 5.55g size covers many repastes.
Its 5.55g tube size is the smallest in this group; the NT-H2 10g leads at 10g. 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. Its price falls between the MX-7 8g and the NT-H2 10g, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 5.55g
- In the box: a syringe and spatula
Pros
- 5.55g is enough for several applications
- Includes a syringe and spatula
- Maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C
- Formula Thermal Grizzly aims at overclockers
Cons
- Tube size trails the NT-H2 10g (10g)
- Costs more than the MX-6 8g at the time of writing
Largest Tube Size4 of 4
Noctua NT-H2 (10g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 10g NT-H2 is Noctua's second-generation paste in a size meant for builders who work on many machines, with 10 cleaning wipes included.
Best for
- Buyers who put tube size first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MX-6 8g, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Noctua quotes around 9 to 60 applications depending on CPU size. On tube size it leads this guide at 10g, ahead of the MX-6 8g (8g). It also offers enough for dozens of mainstream CPUs.
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. Worth noting too: maker-rated for up to 5 years without reapplying. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 10g
- Rated service life: up to 5 years
- Applications per tube: About 9 to 60
- In the box: 10 cleaning wipes
- Application: No need to spread before mounting
Pros
- 10g is enough for several applications
- Maker-rated for up to 5 years without reapplying
- Includes 10 cleaning wipes
- The second generation of Noctua's NT-H1
Cons
- 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.
- 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 Thermal Paste in Large Tubes
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.
Choose non-conductive paste
Non-conductive pastes are safe if a little spills onto nearby parts. Avoid liquid metal unless you know the risks.
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 in Large Tubes
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | MX-6 8g | The cheapest way into this group, below the MX-7 8g |
| Buyers who want dense, high-filler formula | MX-7 8g | A dense, high-filler formula |
| Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C | Kryonaut 5.55g | A maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C |
| Buyers who put tube size first | NT-H2 10g | The largest tube size here (10g) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | Electrically non-conductive | In the box | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-6 8g | 8g | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| MX-7 8g | 8g | Yes | Not listed | Cannot be spread by hand; cooler pressure distributes it |
| Kryonaut 5.55g | 5.55g | Not listed | a syringe and spatula | Not listed |
| NT-H2 10g | 10g | Not listed | 10 cleaning wipes | No need to spread before mounting |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on tube size?
The NT-H2 10g, at 10g. The MX-6 8g follows at 8g, while the Kryonaut 5.55g has 5.55g.
Which pick costs the least here?
Start with the MX-6 8g, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The NT-H2 10g is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
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-6 8g, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the MX-7 8g. Look at the MX-7 8g for a dense, high-filler formula, the Kryonaut 5.55g for a maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C and the NT-H2 10g for the largest tube size here (10g) if those matter more to you.
Store the tube capped and upright; most pastes keep for about three years.