Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste Under $30
Three thermal pastes compared, from the Kryonaut Extreme to the NT-H2 10g, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Between $20 and $30 you are paying for enthusiast formulas or large tubes. Every pick sits in that range, ordered by tube size.
Our comparison rests on published figures for amount, applications per tube and in the box; where a maker leaves out applications per tube, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
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)
Also Consider
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)
Lowest Price Here
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g)
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest tube size here (10g). | Buyers who put tube size first. | Check price for Noctua NT-H2 (10g) (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 lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Tube Size1 of 3
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
- Skip it if price comes first: the Kryonaut Extreme 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 Kryonaut 5.55g (5.55g). You get a 10 cleaning wipes in the box here, which sets it apart from the Kryonaut Extreme and its an a syringe and applicator in the box.
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. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Kryonaut 5.55g and the rest.
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 Kryonaut Extreme at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 3
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 price comes first: the Kryonaut Extreme cost less when we checked.
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.
On tube size it sits mid-pack at 5.55g: the NT-H2 10g comes in at 10g, and the Kryonaut Extreme comes in at 2g. It is the only pick here with an a syringe and spatula in the box; the NT-H2 10g has a 10 cleaning wipes in the box instead. 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 priced above the Kryonaut Extreme and below the NT-H2 10g at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the Kryonaut Extreme at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Kryonaut Extreme is Thermal Grizzly's highest-conductivity non-metal paste, aimed at overclocked and high-power chips.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the NT-H2 10g offers 10g.
Why we like it
The 2g tube covers up to 12 CPUs by the maker's estimate, and a syringe and applicator come in the box. On tube size it trails the group at 2g, while the NT-H2 10g comes in at 10g. It is the only pick here with an a syringe and applicator in the box; the NT-H2 10g has a 10 cleaning wipes in the box instead.
It also offers stability up to 80°C, 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. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Amount: 2g
- Applications per tube: Up to 12 CPUs
- In the box: a syringe and applicator
Pros
- Includes a syringe and applicator
- Stability up to 80°C, by the maker's claim
- Thermal Grizzly's highest-conductivity non-metal paste
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Tube size trails the NT-H2 10g (10g)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Safety
- We checked that each paste is listed as electrically non-conductive.
- 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.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste Under $30
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Thermal Paste Under $30
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put tube size first | NT-H2 10g | The largest tube size here (10g) |
| 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 |
| Spending as little as possible | Kryonaut Extreme | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Paste | Amount | Applications per tube | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|
| NT-H2 10g | 10g | About 9 to 60 | 10 cleaning wipes |
| Kryonaut 5.55g | 5.55g | Not listed | a syringe and spatula |
| Kryonaut Extreme | 2g | Up to 12 CPUs | a syringe and applicator |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on tube size?
The NT-H2 10g leads at 10g, ahead of the Kryonaut 5.55g at 5.55g; the Kryonaut Extreme sits at the other end with 2g.
Which pick costs the least here?
Start with the Kryonaut Extreme, 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.
Can I use CPU paste on a graphics card?
Yes, if it is non-conductive. Apply a thin, even layer on the bare die.
Should I use liquid metal instead?
Only if you know the risks. It is electrically conductive and damages aluminium, so it is not a drop-in replacement.
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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NT-H2 10g, chosen for the largest tube size here (10g). Look at the Kryonaut 5.55g for a maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C and the Kryonaut Extreme for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
A big tube only makes sense if you build or repaste often.