Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste Syringes
Three thermal pastes ranked on tube size and amount; the MX-7 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A syringe lets you place a controlled dot of paste and reseal it for the next build. Every pick comes in one, ordered by the amount in the tube.
We ranked these thermal pastes on amount, electrically non-conductive and application 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 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ARCTIC MX-7 (4g)
A lower price than the MX-6 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (4g) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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-H2 (3.5g)
The top of this price range, adding a recommended usage time of up to five years on the CPU.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Noctua NT-H2 (3.5g) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the MX-6 and the rest when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (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) |
| The top of this price range, adding a recommended usage time of up to five years on the CPU. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Noctua NT-H2 (3.5g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
ARCTIC MX-7 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MX-7 is Arctic's dense, high-filler paste, built to resist pump-out and drying on hot CPUs.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It cannot be spread by hand, so apply a dot and let the cooler's pressure do the work. On tube size it ties with the MX-6 at 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.
Do not pre-spread it; let the cooler's mounting pressure distribute it. It also brings 4g is enough for several applications. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the MX-6 the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 4g
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
- Application: Cannot be spread by hand; cooler pressure distributes it
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Dense, high-filler formula
- Resistance to pump-out, dry-out and bleeding
Also Consider2 of 3
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-7, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the value choice for regular use. On tube size it ties with the MX-7 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 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 is 4g is enough for several applications. Worth noting too: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. When we checked, only the MX-7 cost less, and the NT-H2 cost more.
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-7 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Noctua NT-H2 (3.5g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
NT-H2 comes with three cleaning wipes and needs no spreading.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the MX-7 offers 4g.
Why we like it
Noctua rates it for up to five years on the CPU, which suits builders who set it and forget it. Its 3.5g tube size is the smallest in this group; the MX-7 leads at 4g. It also comes with a recommended usage time of up to five years on the CPU and enough for around 3 to 20 applications.
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 the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the MX-6. If tube size is your priority, the MX-7 (4g) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 3.5g
- In the box: three cleaning wipes
- Application: No need to spread before mounting
Pros
- Includes three cleaning wipes
- Recommended usage time of up to five years on the CPU
- Enough for around 3 to 20 applications
- The top of this price range, adding a recommended usage time of up to five years on the CPU
Cons
- Tube size trails the MX-7 (4g)
- Costs more than the MX-7 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Thermal Paste Syringes
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Safety
- We checked that each paste is listed as electrically non-conductive.
- Application
- We noted spreaders, wipes and the maker's application guidance.
- Durability
- We looked for maker claims on pump-out and long-term stability.
- Value
- We compared tube sizes and what comes in the box.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste Syringe
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.
Treat W/mK figures with care
Makers measure conductivity under their own conditions, so a higher W/mK number on the box does not always mean lower temperatures in a PC. Compare pastes from the same test source instead.
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 Syringe
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | MX-7 | A lower price than the MX-6 and the rest when we checked |
| 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 |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | NT-H2 | The top of this price range, adding a recommended usage time of up to five years on the CPU |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | Electrically non-conductive | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX-7 | 4g | Yes | Cannot be spread by hand; cooler pressure distributes it |
| MX-6 | 4g | Yes | Not listed |
| NT-H2 | 3.5g | Not listed | No need to spread before mounting |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on tube size?
The MX-7, at 4g. The MX-6 follows at 4g, while the NT-H2 has 3.5g.
Which pick costs the least here?
The MX-7. It undercut the MX-6 when we checked, while the NT-H2 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.
Can a thermal pad replace paste on a CPU?
Phase-change pads such as PTM7950 can, but ordinary gap-filling pads are too thick for a CPU heatspreader and run hotter.
How much paste should I use?
About a pea-sized dot on most desktop CPUs. Too much mostly spills out; too little leaves gaps.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MX-7, chosen for a lower price than the MX-6 and the rest when we checked. Look at the MX-6 for lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure and the NT-H2 for the top of this price range, adding a recommended usage time of up to five years on the CPU if those matter more to you.
A pea-sized dot in the centre is enough for most CPUs.