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Arctic recently released the MX-7, the newest addition to its thermal compound lineup, and it has quickly become one of the highest-performing pastes you can buy. The obvious question is how it compares to the long-standing enthusiast favorite, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut. Here is the honest comparison.
The Short Answer
For most builders the temperature difference between these two pastes is 1 to 3 degrees, which is within the margin of normal mounting variation. Both are excellent. The MX-7 is the better value and easier to apply. Kryonaut still holds a slight edge in peak performance under extreme overclocking. Unless you are pushing benchmark records, buy the MX-7 and spend the savings elsewhere.
Arctic MX-7 — The New Value Champion
The Arctic MX-7 improves on the already excellent MX-6 with higher thermal conductivity and a consistency that is neither too runny nor too stiff, making it forgiving to apply. It is non-conductive, which means a stray smear near the edge of your CPU will not short anything out. And it carries Arctic’s reputation for long-term stability, lasting years without drying out.
For the price, the MX-7 is hard to beat. It comes in larger tubes than premium competitors at a lower cost per gram, which matters if you re-paste multiple machines or do a GPU repaste that needs more material. For the typical gaming or workstation build, this is the paste I reach for first.
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut — The Established Benchmark
Kryonaut has been the enthusiast reference paste for years because it delivers consistently excellent performance and holds up under high heat. It is the paste I used when re-pasting cards in my 55 GPU operation precisely because I knew it would perform predictably under sustained load.
Kryonaut’s edge is peak performance under extreme conditions. If you are running an overclocked flagship CPU under sustained all-core load, or chasing the absolute lowest temperatures for a benchmark run, Kryonaut squeezes out the last degree or two. The tradeoff is a higher cost per gram and a slightly shorter rated lifespan than Arctic’s compounds before it begins to dry out.
Application Matters More Than Brand
Here is the truth that applies to both pastes. The difference between correctly and incorrectly applied paste is 10 to 15 degrees. The difference between these two excellent brands is 1 to 3 degrees. Your application technique matters far more than which of these you buy.
For both, use a single pea-sized dot in the center of the CPU and let the mounting pressure of your cooler spread it. Do not spread it manually. For a GPU repaste, apply to the bare die only and avoid the surrounding components. See our thermal paste application guide for the complete method.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Arctic MX-7 if you want the best value, easy application, long life, and non-conductive safety. That covers the vast majority of builds. Buy Kryonaut if you are running an overclocked flagship under sustained load or chasing absolute peak performance. Either way, master the pea-dot application method and you will get results within a degree or two of the best possible regardless of which paste is in the tube.
Prices are approximate and change frequently. Check current Amazon pricing before purchasing.