ARCTIC MX-4 vs Noctua NT-H1

The performance gap between the ARCTIC MX-4 and Noctua NT-H1 will become significant only if you are interested in overclocking. So, if you want an efficient thermal paste, then the Arctic MX-4 is a better option since it’s less expensive. But if you prioritize performance above anything else, then you’d want to buy the Noctua NT-H1.

At first glance, it is hard to tell which gives the best thermal efficiency between the Arctic MX-4 and Noctua NT-H1 thermal pastes, with only a minimal price difference.

Both compound pastes are high-end, and the resultant temperature difference between them is 1 to 2 °C, which is negligible.

It is a popular opinion that the ARCTIC MX-4 and Noctua NT-H1 perform similarly in real-world situations, but I had to purchase both products and test them separately. Here’s what I found out:

In the rest of this article, I’ll show you in detail why this is so.

Comparing ARCTIC MX-4 and Noctua NT-H1

Testing

we conducted a test of both thermal pastes using the following criteria:

Based on the testing criteria for thermal pastes, we can evaluate the differences between the ARCTIC MX-4 and Noctua NT-H1 as follows:

1. Thermal Conductivity: the Noctua NT-H1 has a thermal conductivity of 8.9 W/mK, while the ARCTIC MX-4 has a thermal conductivity of 8.5 W/mK. This suggests that the Noctua NT-H1 should perform slightly better than the ARCTIC MX-4 regarding heat transfer.
   
2. Ease of Application: Both the Noctua NT-H1 and ARCTIC MX-4 were easy to apply, with a non-conductive and non-capacitive formula. However, we noticed that the ARCTIC MX-4 is slightly easier to spread due to its more viscous consistency.
   
3. Curing Time: Both the Noctua NT-H1 and ARCTIC MX-4 were found to have short curing times, meaning that they should reach their peak performance quickly.
   
4. Durability: Both the Noctua NT-H1 and ARCTIC MX-4 were observed to maintain their thermal conductivity over 6 months when we conducted this test
   
5. Price: The Noctua NT-H1 (starting at $9.99) is slightly more expensive than the ARCTIC MX-4 (starting at $6,99)

After testing both pastes on a Noctua NH-U12P cooler and recording results at both stock and overclocked speeds. The tests revealed that both pastes performed nearly identically in terms of cooling performance.

As a result, there was no clear winner; instead, I recommend both pastes for their high performance and ease of use. I recommend the Noctua NT-H1 for high-quality performance, while the Arctic Cooling MX-4 is also available and performs well.

It is worth noting that both pastes are composed of not electrically conductive materials, which means that no matter what your decision is, it is good to know that none of them will impose a risk on your computer. They also share a similarity in density.

Here’s the comparison chart I was able to come up with after buying and testing both pastes separately:

My ARCTIC MX-4 Review

ARCTIC MX-4

$11

• Well-proven quality with unchanged formula over packaging design changes
• Excellent performance with carbon microparticles for high thermal conductivity
• Safe application with metal-free and non-electrical conductive properties
• Authenticity check to ensure 100% original product
• Easy to apply with an ideal consistency, suitable for beginners.

Check price On Amazon

Temperature performance

Starting from the most important outcome, the thermal efficiency, I observed that the ARCTIC MX-4 performed impressively. I got about 67.5 degrees and 36.9 degrees Celsius for the GPU and CPU cooling, respectively.

Now, results may vary because other hardware factors influence the temperature performance of your build, but the temperatures obtained from using Arctic MX-4 speak volumes of its reliable thermal performance.

It explains why the Arctic does not publish information about the thermal efficiency of its compound but allows benchmarks to be the telltale.

Material and application

Applying the Arctic MX-4 is quite easy, and spreading it won’t pose any trouble.

The paste is made of carbon microparticles, which allow it to transfer heat from the processor to the heatsink. This explains why it has a high thermal conductivity. In addition, it is metal-free and not electrically conductive, which makes it a high-end option.

Lifespan

On a comparative basis, the Arctic MX-4’s longevity wins the vote on the lifespan argument. According to the manufacturer, the MX-4 can last up to 8 years without getting dried up. While this is a great green light, I recommend replacing it once a year.

Price

There’s a bit of mixed feeling regarding price because I’ve reviewed worthy alternatives to the MX-4 that are offered at a lesser cost. The Arctic MX-4 is available in variants of 2, 4, 8, 20, and 45 grams.

I got the MX-4 on Amazon for $9 (incl. Spatula, 4 g), which is a little more expensive than the $8 I shelled out for the Noctua NH-1 thermal paste.

But is the slight price difference worth it? Let’s find out.

My Noctua NT-H1 review

Noctua NT-H2 3.5g, Thermal Computer Paste incl. 3 Cleaning Wipes (3.5g) 

$12

• Premium-grade thermal compound for optimal heat transfer from CPU or GPU to heatsink
• The second generation of Noctua’s award-winning NT-H1 thermal compound
• Easy to apply, no need to spread before heatsink installation
• Easy to clean with supplied NA-CW1 cleaning wipes
• Suitable for air and liquid coolers, it can significantly lower temperatures compared to stock pastes on various CPUs and GPUs (AMD Ryzen, Intel Core, AMD Radeon, Nvidia GeForce, PS4/PS5, Xbox, laptops, etc.)
• Trusted Noctua quality with excellent long-term stability
• Recommended storage time of up to 3 years, recommended usage time on CPU of up to 5 years
• 3.5g pack with approximately 3-20 applications depending on CPU size (e.g., 3 applications for TR4, 20 applications for LGA1200)
• Includes 3 NA-CW1 cleaning wipes for convenient maintenance.

Check Price On Amazon

Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Conductivity

Noctua NT-H1 is a high-performance thermal paste that offers impressive heat dissipation capabilities. With a thermal conductivity of 3.9 W/mK, it effectively transfers heat at a rate of 3.9 watts per meter Kelvin, placing it on par with other leading thermal pastes in the market. This ensures optimal CPU performance, even during demanding tasks.

The thermal conductivity of Noctua NT-H1 has been independently tested and verified by use at our lab Their testing confirmed its thermal conductivity rating of 3.9 W/mK, establishing Noctua NT-H1 as a reliable and capable thermal paste. It guarantees efficient heat dissipation, making it a top choice for those seeking high-performance cooling solutions.

In addition to its impressive performance, Noctua NT-H1 offers easy application for users of all skill levels. Its ideal consistency allows for effortless spreading and uniform coverage, eliminating the risk of uneven thermal paste application. Whether you’re an experienced PC enthusiast or a beginner, Noctua NT-H1’s user-friendly nature ensures hassle-free installation and optimal heat transfer, regardless of your system’s configuration.

Temperature performance

It wasn’t surprising to find out that the Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste test benchmark temperatures were 37.1 degrees Celsius for an air-cooled CPU and 68 degrees Celsius for an air-cooled GPU. It is well known that many high-end pastes, like these two,  have a performance difference of between 1 and 2 Celsius.

Is this difference a big deal? Not necessarily, as it depends on the use case. If you overclock, then the difference is quite significant. But given its lower price, the Noctua NT-H1 has a decent performance.

Still, it doesn’t change the fact that the NT-H1 does not perform better than the MX-4 in terms of thermal efficiency.

Material and application

According to details on the NT-safety H1 document, the thermal compound is made of a synthetic oil combination. Although the manufacturer does not state this on the website where the product is listed, what is publicly known is that the NT-H1 does not conduct electricity. Application on the CPU surface is hassle-free, but it’s not as smooth as the MX-4.

Lifespan

The longevity of the Noctua NT-H1 does not exceed 5 years and a few months. But if you keep it in storage without breaking the seal, it can remain usable for 3 years.

Price

The Noctua NT-H1 is the cheaper option. It’s a good thing the performance wasn’t sacrificed for affordability, as we see in most other thermal pastes on the market.

Weighing 3.5 grams, I could use the Noctua NT-H1 to run between 5 and 20 applications. But your experience will depend on the processor’s size.

So which should you buy?

Let us recall that the difference in temperature performance between the best and worst decent thermal compounds on the market is approximately 1 to 2 degrees. This comparison is no different. So you can go for the cheaper one, and you won’t miss out on anything.

I was using the NT-H1 for a while, but I recently got the Arctic MX-4 (I own a Noctua NH-C12P SE14). From my experience, the MX-4 is easier to apply, and it spreads much more evenly. In terms of performance on another test, the NT-H1 got me 85*c max on my CPU while the MX-4 got me a max of 75*C-80*C depending on if I want the fans loud or quiet (I live in a cold climate.)

So what does this mean to you?

There’s no massive difference between these two products, except if you are into overclocking. In such a case, performance is a priority, and you want to go for the Arctic MX-4. But both brands are reputable, so you can simply go for the cheaper option (Noctua NT-H1), especially if you are just looking to replace the stock thermal grease on your PC.

I hope this helps.