First Build: Arctic Cooling MX-4 or stock Intel paste?

[mikey_c]

Hello!

 

I am about to build my first computer. The parts arrive in a few days. I have experience with computers and have applied thermal compound before.

 

So here's my question. I have an Intel i5 4460 processor. It can't be overclocked and I plan to use the stock Intel heatsink. I already own Arctic Cooling MX-4 compound. Should I wipe off the stock Intel paste from the heatsink and apply MX-4? Or should I leave it be?

 

I will happily use MX-4 if it means a few degrees cooler when gaming or under stress. I will also use it if it means that my fan will run a little quieter.

 

What do you guys think?

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  (Purchased For $166.95) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  (Purchased For $59.99) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  (Purchased For $51.99) 

Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card  (Purchased For $150.00) 

Case: NZXT H440 (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  (Purchased For $79.99) 

Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  (Purchased For $39.99) 

Total: $548.91

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-29 12:19 EDT-0400

[Fassive]

if you dont have the money for it just save it and buy something you really need otherwise just go for it, i doesnt hurt and it looks good

[Br3tt96]

The stock fan will be loud either way.

[Bogica]

Well when I got my i5 2500k it came with a cooler with already applied paste on it. It did 62c on stock cooler, just replacing the paste with some generic stuff I had got it down to 56-58c. They put too little paste in my opinion. But anyway, I got the MX-4 a few months ago. It's fine, but I was expecting more for some reason, it's only slightly better than the generic stuff in my experience.

[Jambls]

Yes. Put the MX-4 on it. You will get better temperatures and if you set a fan curve it will be quieter.

[mikey_c]

What if I just dump the idea of an Intel heatsink and get a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cooler? Do those come with thermal compound on them and do I need to apply any on it?

[MrSuperb]

What if I just dump the idea of an Intel heatsink and get a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cooler? Do those come with thermal compound on them and do I need to apply any on it?

 

comes with Cooler Master thermal paste

[Bogica]

What if I just dump the idea of an Intel heatsink and get a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cooler? Do those come with thermal compound on them and do I need to apply any on it?

That would be great. It would be cool and quiet. They come with paste in the box, all you have to do is apply it on the CPU.

[mikey_c]

That would be great. It would be cool and quiet. They come with paste in the box, all you have to do is apply it on the CPU.

 

Would I be best using the paste that comes in the box or my already owned MX-4?

[MrSuperb]

Would I be best using the paste that comes in the box or my already owned MX-4?

 

if you already have MX-4, then use it

[Speaker1264]

Would I be best using the paste that comes in the box or my already owned MX-4?

 

If you already have it the MX-4 is probably better.

[Bogica]

Would I be best using the paste that comes in the box or my already owned MX-4?

If you already own the MX-4 then use it. The paste in the box is not bad at all, but my guess is the MX-4 is better.