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Arctic MX-4 vs Zalman ZM-STC10: Comparison
Arctic MX-4 vs Zalman ZM-STC10: the viscosity difference
The first real difference is viscosity: Arctic MX-4 3160 Pa-s against Zalman ZM-STC10 300 Pa-s. On max operating temperature there is little in it, 150 C on the Arctic MX-4 versus 200 C on the Zalman ZM-STC10. Min operating temperature is closer, -50 C on the Arctic MX-4 versus -40 C on the Zalman ZM-STC10. There is a split on density as well, 2.50 g/cm3 on the Arctic MX-4 versus 2.9 g/cm3 on the Zalman ZM-STC10.
Which should you buy, Arctic MX-4 or Zalman ZM-STC10?
Take the Arctic MX-4 for mainstream CPU builds on the tightest thermal-paste budget. Current guides specifically recommend this tier of paste for chips like a Core i5 or Ryzen 5. The same goes for buyers who value an extremely long, proven track record over the newest formula. Few thermal pastes have this much accumulated real-world usage data behind them. It is the wrong buy for flagship or heavily overclocked CPUs. Arctic's own MX-6, or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, both covered elsewhere on this site, deliver meaningfully better performance where that headroom actually matters. The Zalman ZM-STC10 suits mainstream CPU/GPU cooling and users upgrading from Zalman's entry ZM-STG series, though it is the wrong buy for delidded direct-die extreme overclocking and liquid-metal-tier performance needs. Our rating of the Arctic MX-4 (7.3/10): an extremely well-reviewed budget staple with a huge installed base, though durability has been questioned on laptops and bare dies over long periods. Our rating of the Zalman ZM-STC10 (6.1/10): A reasonable mid-tier Zalman compound with a solid published conductivity figure.
What Arctic MX-4 and Zalman ZM-STC10 have in common
Everything else lines up. Electrical conductivity and paste segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Arctic MX-4
- Arctic
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Zalman
Model
- Arctic MX-4
- Arctic MX-4 , MX-4
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- ZM-STC10
Electrical Conductivity
- Arctic MX-4
- Insulating
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Insulating
Package Size
- Arctic MX-4
- 2g / 4g / 8g / 20g / 45g tubes
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- 2g syringe (110 x 23 x 14mm)
Recommended Use
- Arctic MX-4
- Mainstream CPU/GPU (builds on a tight budget)
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Mainstream CPU/GPU
Viscosity
- Arctic MX-4
- 3160 Pa-s
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- 300 Pa-s
Min Operating Temperature
- Arctic MX-4
- -50 CBest
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- -40 C
Max Operating Temperature
- Arctic MX-4
- 150 CBest
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- 200 C
Density
- Arctic MX-4
- 2.50 g/cm3
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- 2.9 g/cm3
Paste Segment
- Arctic MX-4
- Standard Paste
- Zalman ZM-STC10
- Standard Paste
Which one should you pick?
Choose Arctic MX-4 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Zalman ZM-STC10 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Arctic MX-4 | Zalman ZM-STC10 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Arctic Store | View on Arctic Store | |
| Aquatuning | View on Aquatuning |
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-4
7.3 / 10 Expert Rating
An extremely well-reviewed budget staple with a huge installed base, though durability has been questioned on laptops and bare dies over long periods.
Zalman ZM-STC10
6.1 / 10 Expert Rating
A reasonable mid-tier Zalman compound with a solid published conductivity figure.