Title: Arctic MX-6 vs MX-4 — Which Is Better, More Durable, and Pump-Out Resistant?

[Dilruba]

 

I’m trying to decide between Arctic MX-6 and MX-4, and I’d like to know which one is the better choice overall.

Which one ofers better thermal performance?

Which one lasts longer over time without needing to be reapplied?

And importantly, which one doesn’t suffer from pump-out issues, especially under long-term CPU heat cycles?

[Hinjima]

5 minutes ago, Dilruba said:

 

I’m trying to decide between Arctic MX-6 and MX-4, and I’d like to know which one is the better choice overall.

Which one ofers better thermal performance?

Which one lasts longer over time without needing to be reapplied?

And importantly, which one doesn’t suffer from pump-out issues, especially under long-term CPU heat cycles?

 

[PDifolco]

1 hour ago, Dilruba said:

 

I’m trying to decide between Arctic MX-6 and MX-4, and I’d like to know which one is the better choice overall.

Which one ofers better thermal performance?

Which one lasts longer over time without needing to be reapplied?

And importantly, which one doesn’t suffer from pump-out issues, especially under long-term CPU heat cycles?

MX6 is newer and better, but ain't the best paste around

Whatever the paste it should be replaced every 3 years or so, if you don't want that get a Kryosheet

[Beerzerker]

3 hours ago, Dilruba said:

 

I’m trying to decide between Arctic MX-6 and MX-4, and I’d like to know which one is the better choice overall.

Which one ofers better thermal performance?

Which one lasts longer over time without needing to be reapplied?

And importantly, which one doesn’t suffer from pump-out issues, especially under long-term CPU heat cycles?

I did a post over at TPU once that explains what "Pump Out" is and how it works.

"Pump-out Effect" Is it real or is it nonsense? Let's discuss... | Page 4 | TechPowerUp Forums

Once you understand "Why" TIM pumps out you'll see it's not as bad as you'd think - Messy, yes but it's nothing to worry about so much if it happens... But if it bothers you anyway, understanding it can help the next time you apply TIM to whatever you're using it with.

[Caroline]

honestly my older PC still has MX2 I applied around 2015 and it's still there with perfectly fine temps.

 

I still have like half a syringe of that paste. I keep the syringes and jar in an old food container, on a shelf in the basement. Same applies for flux, resin and other soldering compounds. Temperature and humidity changes is what spoils them.

[KLiKzg]

On 6/17/2025 at 9:18 PM, Dilruba said:

 

I’m trying to decide between Arctic MX-6 and MX-4, and I’d like to know which one is the better choice overall.

Which one ofers better thermal performance?

Which one lasts longer over time without needing to be reapplied?

And importantly, which one doesn’t suffer from pump-out issues, especially under long-term CPU heat cycles?

I have been using MX-4 for quite some time...now I am using MX-6.

From data that I got, MX-6 is better in performance & on tests. 

 

From a longevity test, I can't tell. As I have only started to use MX-6, after it was repaired (as MX-5 was a flop).

In the meantime, I have been using Kyronaut, which is around MX-6 & better then MX-4. But certainly not worth the price!

 

As for the "pump-out", I really can't tell...as I do 24/7 100% load on CPU, so my MX-6 does keep it around ~60°C in ~25°C environment (summer now).