bit_user Ugh. …and I just purchased a tube of the latest version of MX-6, only a few weeks ago!! BTW, my MX-6 says "Rev. 4" on the panel of the box with the QR code and barcodes. I don't know if all versions said which they were, but read all of the small text on that panel and you'll see it, if it's there. Here's a full review of Rev 4: https://www.igorslab.de/en/arctic-mx-6-new-formula-2025-thermal-paste-test-is-the-new-formula-really-better/ Reply
bit_user The article said: Instead, applying it in a simple cross pattern is best, and let your CPU cooler do the magic. The pressure from the cooler will evenly spread the MX-7, filling in any gaps and giving you complete coverage. This helpful tip also works well for coolers with direct-touch heat pipes. Depends on whether the base has lots of gaps. For older coolers featuring direct-touch heat pipes, I've found a heavier application is needed for full coverage. I've used an asterisk pattern. When I tried an X and then removed it, the coverage was far from complete. Yes, I know it's bad to apply too much, but the only thing worse than too much heatsink compound is applying not enough! Reply
thestryker Been largely using Arctic MX-5/6 paste for all of my recent builds and they've been good (I got some of the good batch of MX-5). I wonder how the viscosity on this one will play out. I'm assuming the low adhesion part is why they say to not use a spatula. bit_user said: Depends on whether the base has lots of gaps. For older coolers featuring direct-touch heat pipes, I've found a heavier application is needed for full coverage. Whenever I use those now, because I spread paste very thin, I actually apply paste to the bottom of the heatsink as well to fill any gaps. Reply
passivecool "What is the best paste?" Anyone who says anything other than: "it depends…" is probably BS you. If you want to make a more informed decision, check igors lab for the paste & pad analysis database. Scientific almost to a fault – for an evaluation of a (relatively small but growing) selection of thermal pastes and pads. True conductivity across multiple applications / thicknesses? Ease of use? Durability (pump-put)? Incl. microscopic and chemical composition analysis. Everything you never wanted to know and more. IL has a database of the great (but unobtainable), the good, (/solid mainstream), the bad, and the ugly ( "it contains diamond nanotubes, really!"). Nothing is better than a solid data basis! Okay, for most of us, at least. 🦊 pc Reply
bit_user TechieTwo said: As long as the price isn't stupid, it's all good. 🙂 The current Amazon price for 8g is about $8.60. I bought an 8g tube of MX-6 (v1 or v2) over 2 years ago, which I've used quite a few times and it's still about half full. So, I'd say the typical application is about 0.5g or less. For a DIYer, that's a pretty negligible cost, compared to basically any other part of your build. https://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-MX-7-Conductivity-Non-Conductive-Non-Capacitive/dp/B0FT2TC2NW/ They also list a 4g size, but it's only about $1.20 cheaper. Still, that's an ample amount for a few builds/rebuilds. https://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-MX-7-Conductivity-Non-Conductive-Non-Capacitive/dp/B0FT2XSPSN/ Reply
uplink-svk Nice. Stopped using MX at an unknown iteration of general v4 . Was using NT-H1 and NT-H2 for years, besides that whole folio of TG TiM solutions incl. LM. Loved the purple one, Extreme was it? Anywho, now it's flat KryoSheet and PTM. KryoSheet for all high pressure low risk with no naked SMDs exposed on the substrate and PTM everywhere where it's otherwise. In particular high risk of SMD exposure to TiM, low pressure scenarios like notebooks and when I'm on a budget. Am honestly looking forward for a new PTM revision. It's a miracle TiM. If You didn't have a pleasure yet to use it, try it. No need to use the TG one, You can use the one from automotive directly , the OG 7950. Reply
bit_user uplink-svk said: Am honestly looking forward for a new PTM revision. It's a miracle TiM. If You didn't have a pleasure yet to use it, try it. I have admittedly only tried it with one heatsink that was an older 5-pipe Cooler Master direct-touch, on an AM4 (5800X), but found TG PhaseSheet to work slightly less well than Arctic MX-6 paste. It's also a little tricky to work with. Definitely follow their directions to a T! uplink-svk said: now it's flat KryoSheet and PTM. KryoSheet for all high pressure low risk with no naked SMDs exposed Tried TG Kryosheet on the same CPU (different heatsink). I also compared it to MX-6 on that heatsink and also found MX-6 to work slightly better, but KryoSheet is easy to work with if you're gentle and use the supplied silicone oil to help it stay in place (I used two dots at the edge of the IHS, since they weren't specific about where to apply it) and take comfort in knowing its performance will never degrade. BTW, I did not hold the KryoSheet with my fingers or even tweezers. It's packaged between a pair of plastic films and I just use one plastic film to position it and a corner of the other piece to slide it off the first. It's supposedly very brittle, like mechanical pencil leads. Reply
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/thermal-paste/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/thermal-paste/arctic-launches-its-best-thermal-paste-yet-for-chips-of-all-types-claims-new-mx-7-formulation-runs-3-percent-cooler-than-its-predecessor#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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