Arctic MX-6 shelf life is just a couple months?

[GerKNG]

i have three 8g tubes of MX-6 and they all deteriorate into silicone oil and gunk within a couple months (they are stored in an airtight bag). The first tube from February 2023 got very liquidy and seperates directly out of the tube and i have to push out 3-4cm of paste before it gets somewhat normal again. but it performs like toothpaste...
the second one which is from August was used on a 7800XT last week and it is no longer thick and dry while it spreads like warm butter.
and now the third one which was delivered last saturday. normal consistency and performs as expected or better said as good as the other ones when they were new.
i repasted the GPU three times and the results in the same test with fixed fan speed:
Edge/Hotspot
February 2023: 73°C/96°C
August 2023: 65°C/87°C
Last Friday: 61°C/70°C

Did anyone else observe similar issues?
The Paste (when fresh) is fantastic. but i can't buy a new tube every two months and throw 6g away because it deteriorates faster than a 14900KS.

 

[damric]

Yes I noticed that separation also on MX-6.

I have had tubes of MX-4 last over 5 years so I don't know what's up with the MX-6.

The first few applications were great, but now after about 3 months the rest of the tube is junk.

I'm only using alphacool APEX for my good stuff now.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Did anyone else observe similar issues?

I have some MX6 that was purchased shortly after release. I'm still using it and it's still just as good as it was when new. No separation and no drying out.

 

[Chrispy_]

Yeah, I've had Arctic separate on me before. Not Arctic Cooling MX6, but definitely Arctic Silver 2 and 5, which I think are an entirely different brand. I can't think of any other compounds that have done that to me either.

Most of the time when re-pasting I use a leftover syringe of whatever the last cooler I bought came with. I'm buying 5-10 coolers a month though so that's never an issue.

For the workshop and GPU/laptop repastes I tend to use generic white silicone grease, from an ancient tub branded "Servisol" that's approaching 25 years old. I know it's not the best paste but it's good enough, it goes for years without drying out like newer grey/metallic pastes do, and it's easy to apply well. Realistically, it's a couple of degrees warmer than the best pastes after a fresh install but I'd be willing to bet that once the 'superior' pastes have dried out after a year, they're inferior to the generic white silicone goop anyway.

 

[nguyen]

My tube still looks alright, though I haven't used it yet, just opened it up just now

 

[Sithaer]

I've bought a 4g tube last year, 2023 07 05 to be exact. 'looking at my order email'
Used it a few days ago when I've got my 12600KF and its still all good like when it was new.

I store it in the original packaging/in my room which does get quite hot during the summer. '30 celsius is not rare in my room during summer cause no AC..'

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I would contact Arctic and see what they have to say about it (if anything) It could be a bad batch issue. MX-5 got pulled from sale and EoL'd so quickly when those where having issues and it could be the same problem here.

Arctic will probably want you to send your tubes back so they can do some more investigation. (im sure they'll refund you)

 

[GerKNG]

It could be a bad batch issue

bad batches all the way through the year?

My tube still looks alright, though I haven't used it yet, just opened it up just now

this tiny bit of more oily dark stuff became half the tube in my case.

 

[cvaldes]

I also had a tube of Arctic MX-6 that declined in quality after opening, following a previous tube of MX-6 that was fine.

My suspicion was that Arctic is still having inconsistent batch QC problems from their supplier, much like the discontinued MX-5.

So I stopped buying MX-6 and went back to the reliable Noctua NH-H1. I might try Thermal Grizzly or buy consistent Arctic MX-4 the next time. There's not much difference in thermal performance from freshly applied thermal compound anyhow (per Tom's Hardware and others).

There's a big difference in their handling and prices though. To me the issue of batch quality variance of MX-6 isn't worth my time or money even if it's on sale.

 

[chrcoluk]

I always treat compound as a one time use deal. So buy as little quantity as possible.

 

[LabRat 891]

I've been hearing/reading of batch-level issues with Arctic's TIMs for awhile now.

You can re-mix it with a bent paperclip in a drill. But, the fact it separated so quickly in the first place probably indicates it's not "to spec" to begin with.

IMO, toss it.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

bad batches all the way through the year?

Thats how MX-5 ended up being pulled from sale. Started off with 'bad batches' then it turned out to be such a widespread issue they shit canned MX-5 altogether and started working on MX-6 instead.

Although MX-6 could be rebranded MX-5 but we dont know that. Just let Arctic know whats going on and that you've had three tubes gone funny.

Sounds like MX-6 could be the new MX-5 or maybe it was MX-5 all along.

 

[Veseleil]

i have three 8g tubes of MX-6

My condolences to you, brother.

 

[ir_cow]

How Thermal Grizzly has treated me well over the years. Won't switch back

 

[GerKNG]

Thats how MX-5 ended up being pulled from sale. Started off with 'bad batches' then it turned out to be such a widespread issue they shit canned MX-5 altogether and started working on MX-6 instead.

Although MX-6 could be rebranded MX-5 but we dont know that. Just let Arctic know whats going on and that you've had three tubes gone funny.

Sounds like MX-6 could be the new MX-5 or maybe it was MX-5 all along.

i had a lot of MX5 and i was very happy with it. (very sticky and good performance)

but i guess i'll throw it away and buy a sheet of PTM9750 for future GPU service.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

i had a lot of MX5 and i was very happy with it. (very sticky and good performance)

but i guess i'll throw it away and buy a sheet of PTM9750 for future GPU service.

No need to throw them away if they are still good.

 

[tommesfps]

How come you use Arctic MX tim? Did you try any other tim?

When I started building PCs or repasting tim I tried out many different brands/tims to get an impression of their quality. I ended up using Noctua NT-H1 even over their NT-H2, which is also very good but a little too sticky in my opinion, because why would you cheap out on the tim in first place, right?
Only Arctic tim I used so far was MX-4/MX-5 but I think it is very basic and I dont understand why it gets so many recommendations tbh.

 

[wNotyarD]

Only Arctic tim I used so far was MX-4/MX-5 but I think it is very basic and I dont understand why it gets so many recommendations tbh.

MX-4 tends to be well recommended precisely for being "basic". It spreads fine, works fine, and costs very fine against most of the competition. It isn't stellar, but a great all-rounder.

 

[LabRat 891]

How come you use Arctic MX tim? Did you try any other tim?

When I started building PCs or repasting tim I tried out many different brands/tims to get an impression of their quality. I ended up using Noctua NT-H1 even over their NT-H2, which is also very good but a little too sticky in my opinion, because why would you cheap out on the tim in first place, right?
Only Arctic tim I used so far was MX-4/MX-5 but I think it is very basic and I dont understand why it gets so many recommendations tbh.

MX-4 made a good name for Arctic's TIMs. More-less in became 'the new AS5'
(a decent-good performer, but inexpensive and reliable)

It's actually really sad that Arctic is having so many problems. Between Arctic and Thermalright one could 'not spend much', but get near toptier cooling.

NT-H# or Thermal Grizzly would be my 'choice' replacements from for Paste.
I've also been recommended SYY-157 for affordable decent-good Paste, and Shin Etsu (can't recall exact formula designation) as a substitute for PTM sheet.

 

[ARF]

i have three 8g tubes of MX-6

and now the third one which was delivered last saturday. normal consistency and performs as expected or better said as good as the other ones when they were new.
i repasted the GPU three times and the results in the same test with fixed fan speed:
Edge/Hotspot
February 2023: 73°C/96°C
August 2023: 65°C/87°C
Last Friday: 61°C/70°C

This is actually really good - you get massive temperature improvement. Maybe it's in your best interest to continue repasting regularly?

Did anyone else observe similar issues?
The Paste (when fresh) is fantastic. but i can't buy a new tube every two months and throw 6g away because it deteriorates faster than a 14900KS.

That's why there is a competition. https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-thermal-paste

Your choice:

1. ProlimaTech PK-3 Nano Aluminum
2. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
3. Cooler Master MasterGel Pro v2
5. NAB Cooling NB Max Pro
6. Noctua NT-H1
7. Gelid GC-Extreme
8. Dow Corning/DOWSIL TC-5625
9. SYY 157
10. NTE Electronics NTE 303A

 

[GerKNG]

This is actually really good - you get massive temperature improvement. Maybe it's in your best interest to continue repasting regularly?



That's why there is a competition. https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-thermal-paste

Your choise:

1. ProlimaTech PK-3 Nano Aluminum
2. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
3. Cooler Master MasterGel Pro v2
5. NAB Cooling NB Max Pro
6. Noctua NT-H1
7. Gelid GC-Extreme
8. Dow Corning/DOWSIL TC-5625
9. SYY 157
10. NTE Electronics NTE 303A

i have tons of different paste (SYY 157 is absolute garbage after they changed the formula in 2022)
But the issue that influences my purchase decision is pump out on hot GPUs and none of them except of GC Extreme and MX5/6 is really long term stable on high end GPUs.
i am considering Thermalright TFX which is almost like crayon

Arctic really dropped the ball in the last couple months.
i literally have a full bag of Arcitc P14s where at least 3 or 4 have bearing damage, spilling oil or making loud grinding noises. And now the paste goes bad constantly.

 

[ARF]

Arctic really dropped the ball in the last couple months.
i literally have a full bag of Arcitc P14s where at least 3 or 4 have bearing damage, spilling oil or making loud grinding noises. And now the paste goes bad constantly.

RMA the fans. I am sure their support will be happy to replace the faulty ones. At least, they go with a 72-month warranty.

 

[GerKNG]

RMA the fans. I am sure their support will be happy to replace the faulty ones. At least, they go with a 72-month warranty.

i neither have a receipt nor do i know from when they were purchased. i have them in bags and some are new, some are old, some are broken.
i probably give the new tube of MX6 and the fans away locally.

 

[Space Lynx]

well this thread has convinced me I need to stop being a cheap ass and just buy a Frostsheet or TG Kryosheet and be done with paste forever.

 

[xtreemchaos]

i think they hit the mark with MX4, what's that old saying "if it isn't broke don't try to fix it".