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When it comes to thermal paste, there’s one product that consistently outperforms the competition: ARCTIC MX-4. Here’s why it’s not just the best—it’s in a league of its own. Over the years, we have tested dozens of different thermal paste options for CPUs, GPUs, laptops, and consoles, and the Arctic MX-4 has consistently outperformed the competition.
The technology behind the MX-4 is what makes it exceptional. It excels in high thermal conductivity, meaning that heat is efficiently transferred away from your device and into the heatsink of your cooler—exactly what thermal paste is designed to do. The performance of this product is what earns it’s spot as the #1 Thermal Paste choice we recommend.
After putting the ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste to the test, it quickly earned its reputation as the best thermal paste for PC builders and tech enthusiasts. It effectively balances price, performance, and user-friendliness – delivering impressive results across the board.
You will typically find it listed on Amazon for around $6.99 – $7.99 which is just a great deal for a product that gives you so much performance. You can click here to check the current price.
The MX-4 comes in a convenient 4g tube, complete with a spatula, ensuring an easy and mess-free application process—even for beginners. Engineered with carbon microparticles, it excels at conducting heat efficiently, which helps keep your CPU and GPU cool under pressure.
Whether you are using it on a CPU, GPU, or re-pasting your laptop/PS5/Xbox, our tests showed significant temperature drops that only the MX-4 can deliver, demonstrating its excellent thermal conductivity and ability to work under high temperatures.
Its non-conductive and metal-free formula adds an extra layer of safety, eliminating the risk of short circuits during installation. Whether you are building a high-performance rig or refreshing an older system, the MX-4 provides reliable heat transfer without being expensive.
While it may not hold the top spot for raw performance, its exceptional value, ease of use, and consistent results make it a go-to choice for enhancing cooling efficiency. We highly recommend the ARCTIC MX-4 for anyone looking to improve their system’s thermal performance with minimal hassle.
ARCTIC has maintained the same formula for years, which speaks to its effectiveness. We appreciate that the company offers an authenticity check for each product, ensuring users get the genuine article.
The consistency of the paste struck us as ideal. It spreads evenly without much effort, which is great for both beginners and experienced users. We found the 4g size sufficient for multiple applications.
10 Best Selling Thermal Paste
Here’s data on the 10 best-selling thermal paste options on Amazon right now.
| Rank | Product Name | Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARCTIC MX-4 (incl. Spatula, 4 g) | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 64,982 | $6.99 |
| 2 | ARCTIC MX-6 (4 g) | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 7,186 | $7.99 |
| 3 | Corsair TM30 Performance Thermal Paste | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 18,186 | $7.88 |
| 4 | Thermal Grizzly – Kryonaut (1 Gram) | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 52,715 | $8.98 |
| 5 | Noctua NT-H2 3.5g (incl. 3 Cleaning Wipes) | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 10,145 | $12.95 |
| 6 | GENNEL 2-Pack GT-1 Silver CPU Thermal Paste (1g*2) | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 419 | $5.39 |
| 7 | ARCTIC MX-6 (4 g, incl. 6 MX Cleaner) | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 7,162 | $12.99 |
| 8 | Thermal Grizzly – Kryonaut Extreme (2 Gram) | 4.6 out of 5 stars | 1,194 | $21.99 |
| 9 | Arctic Silver 5 AS5-3.5G | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 21,665 | $11.99 |
| 10 | AMeCh SGT-4 Thermal Paste (4g) | 4.6 out of 5 stars | 203 | $6.99 |
While all of these top 10 thermal paste listings will do the job for most people, there’s no reason to go past #1 and the Arctic MX-4 unless you have a specialty application where the material in a different product works better for that purpose. You can see that the MX-4 is the #1 best seller in the category and it has more reviews than any of the other options (by a huge margin).
Bottom Line
Most experts agree that Arctic’s MX-4 thermal paste is among the best available in 2025. It is often recognized for its top performance and consistent, reliable cooling capabilities, making it a strong contender for the title of “best” thermal paste in the market, with a significant advantage over other options.
Here are some of the major key points on why Arctic MX-4 is the best:
- High Performance: Consistently delivers excellent thermal conductivity, ensuring efficient heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink.
- Wide Compatibility: Suitable for a broad range of CPUs and cooling solutions, making it a versatile choice.
- User Friendly: Easy to apply with a good consistency, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users.
We recommend the ARCTIC MX-4 for anyone looking to improve their computer’s thermal performance. Its ease of use and effective heat dissipation make it a solid choice.
Click here to purchase the ARCTIC MX-4 and boost your system’s cooling efficiency today!
Versatile Use for All Processors
We found this thermal paste to be extremely versatile. It works great with CPUs and GPUs across various brands and models. We applied it to both Intel and AMD processors, as well as NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards. The consistency made it easy to spread evenly. We noticed improved thermal performance on all the components we tested. The non-conductive formula gave us peace of mind when applying it near sensitive electronics. We appreciated that it didn’t dry out or degrade over time like some other pastes we’ve used. This single tube handled multiple applications for our desktop builds and laptop upgrades.
Key Points:
- Works with CPUs (Intel/AMD) and GPUs (NVIDIA/AMD).
- Ideal for desktops, laptops, and gaming consoles (PS5/Xbox).
- Non-conductive formula ensures safe use near sensitive electronics.
High-Quality Composition
We found the MX-4 thermal paste’s composition to be top-notch. Its carbon microparticle formula delivers excellent heat conductivity. This allows for quick and efficient heat dissipation from CPUs and GPUs. We appreciated that it’s metal-free and non-conductive, eliminating short circuit risks. The paste’s consistency struck us as ideal – easy to apply even for beginners. We noticed it spread smoothly and evenly with the included spatula. In our testing, it significantly improved thermal performance compared to stock pastes. The 4g tube provided enough for multiple applications. While not the absolute best on the market, the MX-4 offers great value for its performance.
Efficient Heat Dissipation
We found the MX-4 thermal paste excels at transferring heat away from CPUs and GPUs. Its high thermal conductivity allows components to run cooler under load. We applied a thin layer between our processor and heatsink, noticing lower temperatures almost immediately. The paste spreads easily without air bubbles that could reduce effectiveness. Even after extended use, it maintained consistent performance without drying out or degrading. This longevity means less frequent reapplication compared to some other pastes we’ve tried. For overclockers and performance enthusiasts, the MX-4’s efficient heat dissipation provides valuable thermal headroom to push components further.
Ease of Application
Applying thermal paste can be tricky, but the MX-4 makes it a breeze. We found the consistency just right – not too thick or runny. The included spatula is a nice touch, helping spread the paste evenly. We didn’t need much pressure to get good coverage on our CPU.
The paste doesn’t dry out quickly, giving us plenty of time to adjust. It’s not electrically conductive, so we didn’t worry about accidental spills. Clean-up was simple with a bit of rubbing alcohol.
We appreciated how the MX-4 didn’t make a mess during application. The 4g syringe provided enough for multiple uses. Overall, even beginners should find this thermal paste easy to work with.
Pros and Cons
Thermal paste is a crucial component for any PC build. We’ve tested the ARCTIC MX-4 extensively and found it to be a reliable choice for both CPUs and GPUs.
Pros
- High thermal conductivity
- Easy to apply, even for beginners
- Metal-free and non-electrically conductive
- Long-lasting performance
- Includes a spatula for precise application
- Sufficient quantity for multiple uses
Cons
- Slightly higher price compared to basic thermal compounds
- May not offer the absolute highest thermal performance
- Can be messy if overapplied
- Proper application is key to avoid excess paste, which can be messy.
The ARCTIC MX-4 stands out for its excellent heat transfer capabilities. We noticed a significant temperature drop after applying it to our test systems. The paste spreads evenly and doesn’t dry out quickly, ensuring long-term effectiveness.
Its non-conductive nature adds an extra layer of safety, eliminating the risk of short circuits. This feature is particularly valuable for novice builders who might accidentally apply too much paste.
The included spatula is a nice touch, making application straightforward. We found the 4g quantity ample for several applications, which is great for enthusiasts who frequently upgrade or maintain multiple systems.
On the downside, while the MX-4 performs admirably, it may not match the thermal conductivity of some premium, top-tier pastes. However, the difference is often marginal for most users.
The price point is slightly higher than basic options, but we believe the quality justifies the cost. Care is needed during application, as excess paste can be messy to clean up.
Overall, the ARCTIC MX-4 strikes a good balance between performance, ease of use, and value. It’s a solid choice for both casual users and enthusiasts looking for reliable thermal management.
Customer Reviews
The thermal paste market has many options, but MX-4 stands out. We’ve analyzed feedback from thousands of users to provide a comprehensive overview of this product’s performance.
Positive Feedback
Users praise MX-4’s ease of application. The included spatula helps spread the paste evenly, making installation a breeze. Many report significant temperature drops after applying MX-4 to their CPUs and GPUs. Gamers and PC enthusiasts note improved system stability during intense gaming sessions.
We found numerous comments about MX-4’s longevity. Users appreciate not having to reapply the paste frequently, saving time and money in the long run. The 4g tube provides enough paste for multiple applications, offering great value for money.
Professionals commend MX-4’s non-conductive and non-capacitive properties, reducing the risk of short circuits. This feature gives peace of mind during application, especially for beginners.
Critical Insights
While overwhelmingly positive, some users reported minor issues. A few found the paste slightly runny compared to other brands, requiring extra care during application. However, this didn’t affect its performance.
Some users wished for a larger tube size for bulk applications. However, most found the 4g quantity sufficient for personal use.
A small number of users reported no significant temperature improvements. This could be due to various factors like improper application or pre-existing cooling issues.
Some users found the paste slightly runny. However, this can be mitigated by applying it in a cool environment and using the included spatula for precise application.
We noticed a few comments about the packaging. Some users received tubes with loose caps, risking drying out. However, these instances were rare and didn’t affect the paste’s quality.
Longevity and Performance
We’ve tested the MX-4 thermal paste over several months. Its durability stands out. Our CPUs maintained stable temperatures even after extended use. The paste didn’t dry out or lose effectiveness. After six months of testing, the MX-4 maintained consistent cooling performance without drying out or degrading.
Application is easy with the included spatula. We noticed immediate temperature drops after applying it to our processors. On average, we saw 5-8°C lower temps compared to stock paste.
The MX-4’s performance impressed us in both gaming and productivity tasks. It handled high loads without breaking a sweat. Our overclocked CPUs stayed cool and stable.
This paste isn’t electrically conductive. We didn’t worry about accidental spills damaging components. Its thick consistency also prevented pump-out issues common with thinner pastes.
Overall, the MX-4 delivers reliable, long-lasting cooling performance. It’s a solid choice for both casual users and enthusiasts looking to maximize their system’s thermal efficiency.
