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ARCTIC MX-4 (45 g) - Premium Performance Thermal Paste for All Processors
ARCTIC

ARCTIC MX-4 (45 g) - Premium Performance Thermal Paste for All Processors

Bottom line: The ARCTIC MX-4 (45 g) - Premium Performance Thermal Paste for All ($18.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Carbon microparticle formula, no metal content, cannot short a socket or GPU trace; main trade-off: 45 g is overkill for a single build; most users will not finish the tube.

$18.99

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Carbon microparticle formula, no metal content, cannot short a socket or GPU trace
  • ✓ 45 g tube covers dozens of CPU and GPU applications, not a single-use syringe
  • ✓ Non-curing consistency spreads under cooler mount pressure without heavy squeeze
  • ✓ ARCTIC Authenticity Check lets you verify the tube against counterfeit MX-4

Cons

  • ✗ 45 g is overkill for a single build; most users will not finish the tube
  • ✗ Carbon-based, so it trails liquid-metal compounds on peak thermal transfer
  • ✗ Non-conductive safety margin costs some performance versus metal-bearing pastes
  • ✗ Bulk tube dispenses less precisely than a fine-tip syringe on small retro dies

Manufacturer description

Its carbon-microparticle formula delivers high thermal conductivity without any metal content, so the compound is non-electrically conductive and cannot short a CPU socket, a VGA card's exposed traces, or the surface-mount components crowding a vintage board. That matters most when you are repasting hardware you cannot easily replace. This 45 g tube is the bulk size, enough for dozens of applications across desktop CPUs, GPUs, retro Socket 7 and Slot 1 rebuilds, laptop teardowns, and console refurbs. ARCTIC has kept the MX-4 composition unchanged across multiple packaging revisions, so…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored ARCTIC MX-4 (45 g) - Premium Performance Thermal Paste for All… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro cpu coolers & fans category. ARCTIC's retro cpu coolers & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for retro cpu coolers & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ARCTIC MX-4 safe to use on a GPU or an old motherboard?

Yes. MX-4 is metal-free and non-electrically conductive, so spillover onto CPU socket pins, VGA card components, or vintage board traces will not cause a short circuit.

How many applications do you get from the 45 g tube?

The 45 g size is ARCTIC's bulk tube and is intended for repeat use across many processors rather than a single build. Exact coverage depends on die size and how thickly you apply.

Does MX-4 work on both CPUs and GPUs?

Yes. ARCTIC specifies MX-4 for all processors, and the listing calls out heat dissipation from CPU and GPU dies specifically.

Is this hard to apply if I have never repasted a cooler before?

ARCTIC positions MX-4 as beginner-friendly because of its consistency; it spreads under cooler mounting pressure rather than requiring a perfect manual spread.

How do I know my tube is genuine and not a counterfeit?

Every MX-4 unit includes ARCTIC's Authenticity Check, which lets you verify that individual product is original before you use it.

Key Features

  • WELL PROVEN QUALITY: The design of our thermal paste packagings has changed several times, the formula of the composition has remained unchanged, so our MX pastes have stood for high quality
  • EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE: ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste is made of carbon microparticles, guaranteeing extremely high thermal conductivity. This ensures that heat from the CPU/GPU is dissipated quickly & efficiently
  • SAFE APPLICATION: The MX-4 is metal-free and non-electrical conductive which eliminates any risks of causing short circuit, adding more protection to the CPU and VGA cards
  • 100 % ORIGINAL THROUGH AUTHENTICITY CHECK: Through our Authenticity Check, it is possible to verify the authenticity of every single product
  • EASY TO APPLY: With an ideal consistency, the MX-4 is very easy to use, even for beginners

Full Specifications

BrandARCTIC
Weight45 g
EASY TO APPLYWith an ideal consistency, the MX-4 is very easy to use, even for beginners

Ready to buy?

ARCTIC MX-4 (45 g) - Premium Performance Thermal Paste for All Processors is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $18.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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ARCTIC MX-4 (45 g) - Premium Performance Thermal Paste for All Processors
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