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Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste vs Arctic MX-1: Comparison
What is the difference between Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste and Arctic MX-1?
Recommended use is the dividing line, Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste Mainstream CPU/GPU; marketed by Alphacool as an affordable entry-level... against Arctic MX-1 Mainstream CPU/GPU.
Which should you buy, Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste or Arctic MX-1?
it is not the pick for buyers who need a large syringe for multiple full-size applications. It also earns its place with budget builds and spare-parts stock where a cheap, reliable paste is enough. It is not the one for high-end overclocking or delidded setups wanting a documented high W/mK figure. The Arctic MX-1 is the one to take for retro/vintage PC builders restoring an early-2000s Arctic Cooling Freezer setup and historical reference on Arctic's MX lineage, though it is the wrong buy for buyers needing a modern, independently benchmarked paste. It is the wrong buy for any current-generation CPU or GPU - superseded by MX-2 through MX-7 with two decades of formula improvements. Our rating of the Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste (5.6/10): A basic silicone-based grease from Alphacool, mainstream tier. Our rating of the Arctic MX-1 (4.8/10): A legacy compound originally bundled with older Arctic Cooling coolers; Arctic no longer publishes current specifications for it, so treat it as a dated, no-longer-current option.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: electrical conductivity and paste segment are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Electrical Conductivity
- Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste
- Insulating
- Arctic MX-1
- Insulating
Recommended Use
- Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste
- Mainstream CPU/GPU; marketed by Alphacool as an affordable entry-level paste and test/spare stock
- Arctic MX-1
- Mainstream CPU/GPU (originally bundled with Arctic Cooling Freezer 4/7/64 and Accelero coolers, rated for all AMD and Intel platforms of its era)
Safety Notes
- Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste
- RoHS compliant per manufacturer
- Arctic MX-1
- Contains no metal particles - electrically non-conductive and non-capacitive
Paste Segment
- Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste
- Standard Paste
- Arctic MX-1
- Standard Paste
Which one should you pick?
Choose Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Arctic MX-1 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste | Arctic MX-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Alphacool Shop (EU) | View on Alphacool Shop (EU) | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Alphacool Silver Grease Thermal Paste
5.6 / 10 Expert Rating
A basic silicone-based grease from Alphacool, mainstream tier.
Arctic MX-1
4.8 / 10 Expert Rating
A legacy compound originally bundled with older Arctic Cooling coolers; Arctic no longer publishes current specifications for it, so treat it as a dated, no-longer-current option.