Test Setup & Methodology

CPU : Intel I5 750 Retail
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P SE2
Motherboard : ECS P55H-AK
RAM : G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM
Video : ATI RADEON 4890 1GB with custom cooling
Power Supply : Cooler Master 850W
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200.10



The paste was carefully applied on the CPU; compared to the MX-3, it is much easier to apply.



After each thermal paste was applied, the contact between the CPU and the CPU cooler plate was checked; also, the temperature was steady at all times in the room, at about 24.6 degrees Celsius.

Before starting each 30 minute test with OCCT 3.1.0, the computer was left in IDLE mode for about another 30 minutes.

Performance Results


(Detailed Temperature Charts: MX-2 , MX-3, MX-4)


Spread Tests

The manufacturer told me that the MX-4 mixes the advantages of the previously launched MX-2 and MX-3, with better thermal conductivity and not as sticky as the MX-3. I have done also a spread test to confirm it:





From the second photo, with the thermal compounds spread with a ruler, we can see that the MX-4 spreads as good as the MX-2, the MX-3 being the last, because it is the hardest to apply of all.