Changing the thermal paste/grease?

[dr_roberts49]

I've seen this brought up in several threads. To be honest, I've never considered changing and reapplying the thermal paste on my cpu. I've thought that once applied, it should pretty much last for a few years, usually by the time you upgrade.

I'm on my 1st P4 processor (2.4ghz), after running a P3 (800mhz) for 3 years. I got my new Intel about 2 months ago, and applied ANTEC's thermal grease.

My question. How many of you actually change your thermal paste on a timely schedule, and what is the time-frame of that schedule?

Is it really necessary? I mean' if your temps are in line and all is functioning properly, is there really a need to remove the old paste, not to mention the HSF?

I appreciate any and all input on this. The pros and the cons.

Robert

[John Prophet]

I wouldnt think it would need to be changed personally..temps are temps and the function of the paste is just to serve the purpose of getting low temps...so if your temps are ok..the purpose is being served.

I have seen some older systems like P2's where the paste was hard as a rock and glossy looking....but I guess those procs didnt make enough for the hard paste to be a problem..after all, they were still running!

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...5E6678,00.html thats the amd page where they have short videos about pads/grease etc. Its funny cuz they say dont use grease AT ALL..they say use a pad! lol. They are saying grease should only be used in a testing type environment where the heatsink must be changed a lot...for long term use a pad. The said that grease can 'disperse' over time. But I would think most of the overclockers would say the opposite....I am sure they site lower temps with arctic silver etc.

Most overclockers probably play with and change their heatsinks so much that the long term aspect doesnt come into play though.

here's the AMD pdf for heatsink installation...maybe it has more info http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/cont...docs/23986.pdf

(actually I see that it just says use the pad, lol)

JP