Thermal Paste Question

[gotdamojo06]

Does the thermal paste that you put between the cpu and the hsf wear out and needs to be wipped clean and reapplied after a while?

[hardnrg]

maybe after 3-5 years... possibly much much longer... i've never taken off a heatsink purely to check whether it's "worn out"

[Bosco]

I have seen some of the cheap stuff wear out in less then in a year in hot conditions

[Uber]

some cheap thermal paste needs replacing now and then, or if the HSF has moved around a bit it might need to be reapplied at it has worked out from between the two maybe. I have to replace the paste on my chipset here soon, as i notice the temps spiking (something is goofy with the mount i think)

[gotdamojo06]

I was just wondering, I have Artic Silver 3...but no i was not taking it off to see, just wondered...couldnt remember if that stuff wore off after a while...like 6 months or so

[kingdingeling]

naa, AS3 should be fine for a couple of years if you applied it correctly

[gotdamojo06]

apply it by just adding a dab (like a good solder) in the center of the chip then apply the HSF or HS and you should have it right...correct?

[SMeeD]

apply it by just adding a dab (like a good solder) in the center of the chip then apply the HSF or HS and you should have it right...correct?

 

That or spreading a thin layer will work fine.