Arctic MX-4 thermal paste - still good?

OverDrive · 1 Feb 2021 at 14:14

Hi guys,

I've just found an (opened) tube of MX-4 up in the loft left over from my 2012 3770K build - would it still be ok to use on my upcoming 5800X build?

It seems ok. Not sure if these things break down over time though?

Thanks.

philo-sofa · 1 Feb 2021 at 15:12

Yeah they have a shelf life, definitely being unopened helps but decade old MX-4 isn’t optimal. Pick up some thermal grizzly for six quid

venomx · 1 Feb 2021 at 15:32

Best get some new stuff as it's fairly cheap.
I recommend Thermalright TF8

clone · 2 Feb 2021 at 08:42

Try it mate that way you will know,I've used old paste and it was ok.

Yaayuh! · 2 Feb 2021 at 09:27

Just slap it on, it's probably fine. It's not going to make much of a difference if it has broken down a bit anyway.

Armageus · 2 Feb 2021 at 09:31

Yaayuh! said:
Just slap it on, it's probably fine. It's not going to make much of a difference if it has broken down a bit anyway.

Indeed - Arctic themselves suggest it lasts 8 years (although that's once applied), but unless it's broken down in an obvious way (e.g. it's gone watery or separated into individual components) then I see no harm in using it

https://www.arctic.de/en/MX-4/ACTCP00007B

OverDrive · 2 Feb 2021 at 17:44

Thanks for the replies guys. I've had another look at the MX-4 I have.. including rolling out a pea sized amount under a glass and it seems to spread out just fine and looks completely smooth/uniform and is moist - so I'll use what I have for now.

4K8KW10 · 2 Feb 2021 at 19:20

No,

There is already the MX-5 unveiled just a few days ago.

OverDrive · 2 Feb 2021 at 21:55

4K8KW10 said:
There is already the MX-5 unveiled just a few days ago.

When I read that, I immediately thought of the sports car!

Cool, I've just read the following:

https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/arctic-mx-5-thermal-paste/

https://www.techpowerup.com/277453/arctic-mx-5-thermal-compound-listed-ahead-of-launch

It doesn't look like it will be available before March, it sounds good though!

Opisflap · 3 Feb 2021 at 11:55

For a few quid I'd bin it and buy some new gear, you'll forever wonder if your thermals could be better otherwise. Remove the doubt.

MartinPrince · 4 Feb 2021 at 11:48

4K8KW10 said:
No,...

Don't listen to this nonsense, as long as you've had the top on it should be perfectly fine to use.

I've used Arctic thermal paste much older than the OP has and it still worked very well.