2007-05-25 05:35:01 · 6 answers · asked by Sat1 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Hi. I have never heard of paste aging. I use Arctic Silver 5 and only re-apply when I pull the HSF out for cleaning, maybe once a year.
2007-05-25 05:40:13 · answer #1 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was applied correctly in the first place, there should never be any need to replace it, unless of course you remove the HSF for some reason (and the only possible reason would be to exchange it for a better one). If you do remove the HSF, all the thermal-paste must be carefully removed using isopropyl alcohol (the same sort of stuff used to clean tape-deck, CD drive heads etc) from the CPU, and also the HSF if you will be continuing to use it.
Like I say, you should never need to replace it if you don't remove the HSF, but you could tell it might need to be replaced by checking the CPU temperature in your computer's BIOS health-status screen, or better still with a diagnostic program like SiSoft Sandra while running something CPU intensive (such as Prime95). If the temperature is over 50C (60C for a Pentium 4 as they run rather hot) then find out what the maximum temperature of it should be (such as by asking again here).
Unless your computer is experiencing random lock-ups or reboots, or you have some other reason to suspect the thermal-paste might need replacing, the chances are it doesn't, so don't worry about it.
2007-05-25 13:04:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only replace the thermal paste if you pull the heatsink of the chip.
If you pull the heatsink of the chip, then the paste needs to be replaced.
2007-05-25 12:38:52 · answer #3 · answered by Simon T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should never need to replace it unless you pull the heatsink off. Then you should scrape the heatsink and reapply it. You only need a VERY thin layer... like a sheet of paper thin.
If you have arctic silver it actually gets better the longer its on there so i wouldn't remove the heatsink unless you ABSOLUTELY have to.
2007-05-25 13:20:16 · answer #4 · answered by beast9156 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
whenever you take off the heatsink, it should be reapplied to ensure a even distribution of heat. it dosnt usually need replaceing, and some heat transfer compounds start working there optimum after a few hundred hours of use.
2007-05-25 12:40:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try this web site
http://www.techpowerup.com/printarticle.php?id=134
2007-05-25 12:44:29 · answer #6 · answered by col 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋