how often are you suppose to change thermal paste between the processor and heatsink?

dar1again · 03-30-2003, 07:15 PM

i am using the artic silver III...........

cracked · 03-30-2003, 07:37 PM

from what i have heard you should "never" have to change it. i put never in quotes because obviously if left the same for 100 years it might need a change. if you frequently remove the hsf from the processor then u may want to change it then.

drew

JayMan · 03-30-2003, 07:44 PM

Providing you don't take off/move the heatsink, AS3 should be able to stay on there as long as ya like.... But each time you remove & reseat the heatsink, you should re-do the AS3.

JayMan

dar1again · 03-30-2003, 07:57 PM

thank you, thank you......

JayMan · 03-30-2003, 08:04 PM

No worries, remember to give both the core & heatsink a good clean with some isopropyl alcohol or similar in order to remove all (well as much as possible of) the old stuff for best results...

JayMan

03-30-2003, 08:42 PM

I'll have to try and find/remember where it was. But I read somewhere that paste was temporary, for like testing HSF's and such, and a thermal pad was preferred for long/extended periods w/o having to change the HSF.

JayMan · 03-30-2003, 08:59 PM

Evil, That woulda probably been on AMD's website.... I think they just say that so the less Tech-Head style people just use the pads, which are more fool-proof, meaning less complaints/problems for AMD....

Taken from http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

Quote:

Due to the unique shape and sizes of the silver particles in Arctic Silver 3, it will take a minimum of 72 hours, and as many as 200 hours to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity. (This period will be longer in a system without a fan on the heatsink.) The CPU's temperature will drop as much as 2C to 5C over this "break-in" period.

If its made for temporary usage only.... Why would it take 72-200hours to get proper conductivity... Seems abit pointless if its only a temporary solution....

JayMan

JayMan · 03-30-2003, 09:04 PM

Also from http://www.arcticsilver.com/as3.htm

Quote:

. Then the compound thickens slightly over the next 50 to 200 hours of use to its final consistency designed for long-term stability

JayMan

03-30-2003, 09:25 PM

This was from back in January.

Quote:

For this reason, those who regularly change the CPU should opt for thermal paste instead of a pad.

I don't believe it states a time frame as to what is "regularly change". With products coming out and becoming better, I'm sure there's going to be a point where a paste will do just fine as opposed to a pad. And vice versa. If you feel comfortable w/ paste, use paste. If you want to use a pad, use a pad.

JayMan · 03-30-2003, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EvilRick
If you feel comfortable w/ paste, use paste. If you want to use a pad, use a pad.

Really i think thats all it comes down to....

My girlfriends PC has had the same white goop (thermal paste) on that athlon for ages, probably about 2 years now, maybe over 2 years.... And theres no problems there. My current PC has had its AS3 on it for about 12months, again no problems....

JayMan