Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste in Small Tubes
Five thermal pastes ranked on tube size and amount, where the TF8 EX has the largest tube size; the TF7 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For a single build, a small tube avoids paying for paste that will dry out in a drawer. Every pick holds under 3g, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh amount, compound and conductivity as the makers state them; if a maker skips compound, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright TF7 (2g)
The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Thermalright TF7 (2g) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Tube Size
Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g)
The largest tube size here (2.9g).
Best for: Buyers who put tube size first.
Our take Check price for Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (1g)
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 (1g) (opens in a new tab)
Ceramic Compound
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 (2.7g)
A ceramic compound.
Best for: Buyers who want a ceramic compound.
Our take Check price for Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 (2.7g) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Liquid Metal (1g)
The top of this price range, adding up to 10 times the conductivity of standard greases, by the maker's claim.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Liquid Metal (1g) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Thermalright TF7 (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TF7 offers 12.8 W/mK and a wide temperature range in a non-conductive formula.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: tube size of 2g, behind the TF8 EX (2.9g).
Why we like it
It is a low-cost option for a CPU or GPU repaste. On tube size it sits mid-pack at 2g: the TF8 EX comes in at 2.9g, and the Conductonaut comes in at 1g. 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 maker-rated 12.8 W/mK conductivity. Worth noting too: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the TF8 EX the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 2g
- Conductivity: 12.8 W/mK (maker's figure)
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- Maker-rated 12.8 W/mK conductivity
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Rated range of -150°C to 250°C
- Tube size of 2g, ahead of the Kryonaut
Cons
- Tube size of 2g, behind the TF8 EX (2.9g)
Largest Tube Size2 of 5
Thermalright TF8 EX (2.9g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TF8 EX is a metal-free, non-conductive paste rated at 14 W/mK by Thermalright, with a blue tint that shows where the paste has spread.
Best for
- Buyers who put tube size first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TF7 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
At this price it is hard to fault for a mainstream build. Thermalright rates it stable from -220°C to 380°C, and it contains no metal particles. Nothing else here matches its 2.9g tube size; the Ceramique 2 comes closest at 2.7g.
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: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper TF7 and the pricier Kryonaut, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 2.9g
- Top rated temperature: 380°C
- Conductivity: 14 W/mK (maker's figure)
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- Maker-rated 14 W/mK conductivity
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Metal-free, non-corrosive formula
- Blue paste colour that shows the coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (1g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Kryonaut is the long-standing enthusiast paste, sold here as a 1g syringe with a spatula.
Best for
- Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 1g covers only a couple of large CPUs.
Why we like it
It is enough for one or two large CPUs. On tube size it ties with the Conductonaut at 1g. It also offers a maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing. When we checked, only the TF8 EX and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ceramique 2 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 1g
- In the box: a syringe and spatula
Pros
- Includes a syringe and spatula
- Maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C
- 1g tube size
- A syringe and spatula in the box
Cons
- 1g covers only a couple of large CPUs
- Costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing
Ceramic Compound4 of 5
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 (2.7g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ceramique 2 is Arctic Silver's ceramic compound and a pure electrical insulator, so spills are harmless.
Best for
- Buyers who want a ceramic compound.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TF7 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The maker claims 2 to 10 degrees lower full-load temperatures compared with typical pastes. Its 2.7g tube size ranks second of 5 here, behind the TF8 EX (2.9g) and ahead of the Conductonaut (1g). It also comes with a compound that will not separate, run or bleed.
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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the Kryonaut and the Conductonaut, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 2.7g
- Compound: Ceramic
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- Ceramic formula
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- 2 to 10 degrees lower full-load temperatures, by the maker's claim
- Compound that will not separate, run or bleed
Cons
- Costs more than the TF7 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Liquid Metal (1g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Conductonaut is liquid metal, not paste: far more conductive, but it conducts electricity and must never touch aluminium.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 1g covers only a couple of large CPUs.
Why we like it
It is for experienced builders who can mask surrounding components. On tube size it ties with the Kryonaut at 1g. You also get up to 10 times the conductivity of standard greases, 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ceramique 2 the nearest cheaper option. Tube size is its weakest area, and the TF8 EX covers it better at 2.9g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 1g
- Compound: Liquid metal
Pros
- Up to 10 times the conductivity of standard greases, by the maker's claim
- Warning that it must not touch aluminium parts
- The top of this price range, adding up to 10 times the conductivity of standard greases, by the maker's claim
Cons
- 1g covers only a couple of large CPUs
- Liquid metal conducts electricity and corrodes aluminium
- Tube size trails the TF8 EX (2.9g)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Value
- We compared tube sizes and what comes in the box.
- Application
- We noted spreaders, wipes and the maker's application guidance.
- 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.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste in Small 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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Thermal Paste in Small Tubes
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | TF7 | The cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX |
| Buyers who put tube size first | TF8 EX | The largest tube size here (2.9g) |
| Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C | Kryonaut | A maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C |
| Buyers who want a ceramic compound | Ceramique 2 | A ceramic compound |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Conductonaut | The top of this price range, adding up to 10 times the conductivity of standard greases, by the maker's claim |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | Compound | Conductivity | Electrically non-conductive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TF7 | 2g | Not listed | 12.8 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| TF8 EX | 2.9g | Not listed | 14 W/mK (maker's figure) | Yes |
| Kryonaut | 1g | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Ceramique 2 | 2.7g | Ceramic | Not listed | Yes |
| Conductonaut | 1g | Liquid metal | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these thermal pastes compare on tube size?
The TF8 EX, at 2.9g. The Ceramique 2 follows at 2.7g, while the Conductonaut has 1g.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The TF7 cost the least when we checked, and the Conductonaut sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
How much paste should I use?
About a pea-sized dot on most desktop CPUs. Too much mostly spills out; too little leaves gaps.
Should I spread the paste or let the cooler do it?
Either works if the layer is thin and even. Some pastes, such as ARCTIC's MX-7, are designed to be pressed out by the cooler rather than spread.
How do I remove old paste?
Wipe it off with a lint-free cloth and 90% or stronger isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the TF7, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the TF8 EX. Look at the TF8 EX for the largest tube size here (2.9g), the Kryonaut for a maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C and the Ceramique 2 for a ceramic compound if those matter more to you.
A pea-sized dot is about 0.2g to 0.5g, so 2g still covers a few applications.