The Best Thermal Pastes for CPUs and GPUs

It cannot be spread by hand, so apply a dot and let the cooler's pressure do the work. It matches the MX-6 on tube size (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. Worth noting: 4g is enough for several applications. You also get this: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. Its price falls between the TF7 and the MX-6, based on our last check.

It is the value choice for regular use. It matches the MX-7 on tube size (4g). You also get 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: 4g is enough for several applications. Worth noting: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. On price it sat third of 7, between the cheaper MX-7 and the pricier Kryonaut, at the time of writing.

It suits high-power CPUs that run hot for hours. On tube size it ties with the TF7 at 2g. No other pick in this guide offers an a TG Spatula Pro in the box; compare the NT-H2, which has a three cleaning wipes in the box.

It also comes with aluminium microparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles. 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 Kryonaut and cheaper picks cost less, and the NT-H2 cost more.

Noctua rates it for up to five years on the CPU, which suits builders who set it and forget it. On tube size it sits mid-pack at 3.5g: the MX-7 comes in at 4g, and the Kryonaut comes in at 1g. It is the only pick here with a three cleaning wipes in the box; the Duronaut has an a TG Spatula Pro in the box instead.

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 priced above the Duronaut and below the XTM70 at the time of writing.

It is enough for one or two large CPUs. Its 1g tube size is the smallest in this group; the MX-7 leads at 4g. You get an a syringe and spatula in the box here, which sets it apart from the NT-H2 and its a three cleaning wipes in the box.

It also comes with 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.

It is a low-cost option for a CPU or GPU repaste. It matches the Duronaut on tube size (2g). 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: maker-rated 12.8 W/mK conductivity. Worth noting: electrically non-conductive, so spills are harmless. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MX-7 was the next step up. The main gap: tube size of 2g, behind the MX-7 (4g). If that matters, the MX-7 comes in at 4g.

Corsair rates it for CPUs up to 250W and beyond. Corsair rates it for processors up to 250W TDP and beyond, and the kit includes an applicator and three cleaning wipes. Its low viscosity spreads evenly without much effort.

The 3g tube holds enough for several CPU applications. Its 3g tube size ranks fourth of 7 here, behind the MX-7 (4g) and ahead of the Kryonaut (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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the NT-H2.