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Arctic MX-1 vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK: Comparison
Arctic MX-1 vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK: the recommended use difference
The first real difference is recommended use: Arctic MX-1 Mainstream CPU/GPU against Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM,.... Paste segment is not the same on both, Standard Paste on the Arctic MX-1 versus Pad on the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK.
Arctic MX-1 vs Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK: which one fits your build
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Arctic MX-1 is the one to take for retro/vintage PC builders restoring an early-2000s Arctic Cooling Freezer setup and historical reference on Arctic's MX lineage, though it is the wrong buy for buyers needing a modern, independently benchmarked paste. It is not the one for any current-generation CPU or GPU - superseded by MX-2 through MX-7 with two decades of formula improvements. it is not the pick for buyers wanting Phobya's higher-conductivity Thermal Pad XT line instead. It also earns its place with VRAM, VRM, and mainboard chipset cooling needing a compressible pad to bridge height differences up to 4mm. Avoid it for CPU IHS-to-cooler contact where a conventional paste offers thinner bond lines. 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. Our rating of the Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK (5.8/10): A small single-piece pad with modest conductivity, a niche fit for specific gap sizes.
What Arctic MX-1 and Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: electrical conductivity are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Electrical Conductivity
- Arctic MX-1
- Insulating
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Insulating
Recommended Use
- 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)
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Mainstream CPU/GPU; Phobya also markets it for VRAM, VRM, and North/Southbridge cooling
Paste Segment
- Arctic MX-1
- Standard Paste
- Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
- Pad
Which one should you pick?
Choose Arctic MX-1 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Arctic MX-1 | Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK |
|---|---|---|
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Performance-PCs | View on Performance-PCs |
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
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.
Phobya Thermal Pad Ultra 5W/mK
5.8 / 10 Expert Rating
A small single-piece pad with modest conductivity, a niche fit for specific gap sizes.