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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
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.
Check price for ARCTIC MX-6 (8g) on Amazon (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 a dense, high-filler formula and can spend more than the MX-6 8g costs.
Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) on Amazon (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 than into the Frost X45.
Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g)A metal-free formula.
Best for: Buyers who want metal-free formula.
Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g)An authenticity code on every pack.
Best for: Buyers who want authenticity code on every pack.
Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check 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) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dense, high-filler formula. | Buyers who want a dense, high-filler formula and can spend more than the MX-6 8g costs. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-7 (8g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Frost X45. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Frost X45. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A metal-free formula. | Buyers who want metal-free formula. | Check price for ID-COOLING Frost X45 (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An authenticity code on every pack. | Buyers who want authenticity code on every pack. | Check price for ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ARCTIC MX-6 (8g)
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 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)
MX-7 is ARCTIC's densest paste, built to resist pump-out, drying and bleeding across repeated heat cycles.
Best for
- Buyers who want a dense, high-filler formula and can spend more than the MX-6 8g costs.
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 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)
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 than into the Frost X45.
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 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)
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. Worth noting: 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 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
Worth a Look5 of 5
ARCTIC MX-4 with Spatula (4g)
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 authenticity code on every pack.
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. Worth noting: 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 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
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.
- What we compared
- We compared five pastes on tube size, compound and electrically non-conductive, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out compound.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the MX-6 8g to the MX-4 with spatula, state tube size and electrically non-conductive and share electrically non-conductive.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MX-6 8g, the MX-7 8g and the Frost X45 give no compound.
- Price range
- From the MX-4 to the MX-7 8g, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste Under $10
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much tube size you need
The MX-6 8g tops tube size at 8g and the MX-4 with spatula sits lowest at 4g; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the MX-6 8g if tube size decides it.
Electrically non-conductive
The MX-6 8g, the MX-7 8g, the MX-4, the Frost X45 and the MX-4 with spatula have it. Sort out electrically non-conductive before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 5.
A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans Features beyond the spec table
The MX-4: a consistency ARCTIC pitches at first-time builders. The Frost X45: resistance to drying, cracking and separation. The MX-4 with spatula: metal-free carbon microparticles.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 5: the MX-4 through the MX-7 8g all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves tube size to decide it.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who want a dense, high-filler formula and can spend more than the MX-6 8g costs: the MX-7 8g. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Frost X45: the MX-4.
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 a dense, high-filler formula and can spend more than the MX-6 8g costs | 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 than into the Frost X45 | 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 authenticity code on every pack | MX-4 with spatula | An authenticity code on every pack |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MX-6 8g leads on tube size at 8g, ahead of the MX-7 8g at 8g. "Not listed" marks compound where the MX-6 8g, the MX-7 8g and the Frost X45 leave the figure out.
| 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
Is the MX-7 8g worth paying more than the MX-4?
The spec sheets show tube size (8g against 4g) in its favour. Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in tube size cost little extra by tier.
What makes the MX-4 the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the Frost X45. It makes sense for anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Frost X45.
Beyond the specs, what sets the MX-6 8g and the MX-7 8g apart?
The MX-6 8g: lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure. The MX-7 8g: a dense, high-filler formula. The MX-4: a formula ARCTIC says lasts at least eight years once applied.
Should I pick the MX-6 8g or the MX-4 with spatula?
The MX-6 8g suits buyers who want lower thermal resistance than ARCTIC's MX-4, by the maker's measure; the MX-4 with spatula suits buyers who want authenticity code on every pack.
What else do the Frost X45 and the MX-4 with spatula offer?
The Frost X45: resistance to drying, cracking and separation. The MX-4 with spatula: metal-free carbon microparticles.
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.
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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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