Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste Under $10
From the MX-4 to the MX-7 8g: five thermal pastes ranked on tube size and amount, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Under $10 you can still buy a reputable non-conductive paste in a useful tube size. Every pick cost $10 or less, ordered by the amount in the tube.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: amount, compound and electrically non-conductive come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing compound is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ARCTIC MX-6 (8g)
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 (8g) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ARCTIC MX-7 (8g)
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dense, high-filler formula.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ARCTIC MX-4 (4g)
The cheapest way into this group, below the Frost X45.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g)
A metal-free formula.
Best for: Buyers who want metal-free formula.
Our take Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) (opens in a new tab)
A Spatula In the Box
ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g)
A spatula in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want a spatula in the box.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (8g) (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dense, high-filler formula. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Frost X45. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A metal-free formula. | Buyers who want metal-free formula. | Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) (opens in a new tab) |
| A spatula in the box. | Buyers who want a spatula in the box. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
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
- Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the MX-4 was cheaper at our last price check.
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. When we checked, only the MX-4 with spatula and cheaper picks cost less, and the MX-7 8g cost more.
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
- Costs more than the MX-4 at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 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 want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MX-4, 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. It matches the MX-6 8g on tube size (8g). It also comes with 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 the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MX-6 8g and the rest.
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-4 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MX-4 is the long-running default for good reason: a carbon-based, non-conductive paste that ARCTIC says lasts at least eight years once applied.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when tube size of 4g, behind the MX-6 8g (8g is a problem.
Why we like it
It forgives a clumsy first application, and 4g covers several builds. It matches the Frost X45 and the MX-4 with spatula on tube size (4g). It also comes with a consistency ARCTIC pitches at first-time builders.
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 Frost X45 was the next step up. The main gap: tube size of 4g, behind the MX-6 8g (8g). If that matters, the MX-6 8g comes in at 8g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 4g
- Rated service life: up to 8 years
- Compound: Carbon microparticle
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Maker-rated for up to 8 years without reapplying
- Carbon microparticle formula
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
Cons
- Tube size of 4g, behind the MX-6 8g (8g)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Frost X45 is a metal-free, non-conductive paste rated at 15.2 W/mK by ID-COOLING.
Best for
- Buyers who want metal-free formula.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the MX-4 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The 4g tube costs little and the maker says it resists drying, cracking and separation. It is metal-free and non-conductive, so overflow onto nearby parts is harmless. The 4g tube covers several builds.
On tube size it ties with the MX-4 and the MX-4 with spatula 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. It also brings 4g is enough for several applications. It was priced above the MX-4 and below the MX-4 with spatula at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 4g
- Conductivity: 15.2 W/mK (maker's figure)
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Maker-rated 15.2 W/mK conductivity
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Metal-free formula
Cons
- Costs more than the MX-4 at the time of writing
A Spatula In the Box5 of 5
ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is the same MX-4 formula with a spatula in the box, which helps if you prefer to spread rather than dot.
Best for
- Buyers who want a spatula in the box.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the MX-6 8g offers 8g.
Why we like it
Each pack carries an authenticity code, a useful check given how often MX-4 is counterfeited. It matches the MX-4 and the Frost X45 on tube size (4g). You also get metal-free carbon microparticles.
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 also brings 4g is enough for several applications. Its price falls between the Frost X45 and the MX-6 8g, based on our last check. If tube size is your priority, the MX-6 8g (8g) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 4g
- Compound: Carbon microparticle
- Electrically non-conductive: Yes
- In the box: a spatula
Pros
- 4g is enough for several applications
- Carbon microparticle formula
- Electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless
- Includes a spatula
Cons
- Tube size trails the MX-6 8g (8g)
- Costs more than the MX-4 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.
- Safety
- We checked that each paste is listed as electrically non-conductive.
- Value
- We compared tube sizes and what comes in the box.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste Under $10
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Thicker pastes are harder to spread
High-performance pastes are often thick. Warming the tube in your hand makes them easier to apply.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Thermal Paste Under $10
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure | MX-6 8g | Lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | MX-7 8g | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dense, high-filler formula |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | MX-4 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Frost X45 |
| Buyers who want metal-free formula | Frost X45 | A metal-free formula |
| Buyers who want a spatula in the box | MX-4 with spatula | A spatula in the box |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | Compound | Electrically non-conductive |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX-6 8g | 8g | Not listed | Yes |
| MX-7 8g | 8g | Not listed | Yes |
| MX-4 | 4g | Carbon microparticle | Yes |
| Frost X45 | 4g | Not listed | Yes |
| MX-4 with spatula | 4g | Carbon microparticle | Yes |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these thermal pastes compare on tube size?
The MX-6 8g leads at 8g, ahead of the MX-7 8g at 8g; the MX-4 with spatula sits at the other end with 4g.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The MX-4. It undercut the Frost X45 when we checked, while the MX-7 8g cost the most of the group.
How often should I replace thermal paste?
Only when you remove the cooler or temperatures rise over time. Many pastes last several years on a desktop CPU.
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.
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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MX-6 8g, chosen for lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. Look at the MX-7 8g for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dense, high-filler formula, the MX-4 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Frost X45 and the Frost X45 for a metal-free formula if those matter more to you.
A 4g tube covers several builds; there is little reason to buy 1g at this price.