arctic silver age?

MutlehPom · 30 Sep 2006 at 01:40

Quick question: does it matter how old Arctic silver is?
Got an old but still full tube (3years+) and just want to make sure before I make an expensive mistake..

MagicalTrevor · 30 Sep 2006 at 01:50

silver is fairly non-reactive and if the tube has been sealed I don't see it being a problem. I think the only issue you would want to think about is whether the tube had been contaminated by a foreign substance. I've used arctic silver that's been a couple of years old before without any problems.

MutlehPom · 30 Sep 2006 at 02:02

Thanks, it's what I'd figured. It looks fine and doesnt have any expiry dates on it etc, just wanted a bit of reasurrance before I frazzle a conroe

(now you've said its okay I can hold you to a replacement, right

)

cheers

m

Madwelsh · 30 Sep 2006 at 03:33

MutlehPom said:
Thanks, it's what I'd figured. It looks fine and doesnt have any expiry dates on it etc, just wanted a bit of reasurrance before I frazzle a conroe (now you've said its okay I can hold you to a replacement, right )

cheers

m

lol harsh, but hold him to that replacement !!!

2StepSteve · 30 Sep 2006 at 03:47

The AC site says that the mixture does become separated after long storage... but you can remix it if it does become separated, after remixing AC5 it gives the exact same performance as a brand new tube.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_intel_dual_wcap.pdf

Justintime · 30 Sep 2006 at 19:00

I've used a tube this year thats been bouncing about since my Tbird 900 days and left in a draw since around then, works and looks fine.

wnm0 · 1 Oct 2006 at 18:05

I used artic silver on this setup and I bought it when I built my first sytem must be 3 years at least lol...

SpudMaster · 1 Oct 2006 at 19:08

2StepSteve said:
The AC site says that the mixture does become separated after long storage... but you can remix it if it does become separated, after remixing AC5 it gives the exact same performance as a brand new tube.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_intel_dual_wcap.pdf

from that pdf

1) Initial Precautions
*Dont put it in your mouth

maranello168 · 2 Oct 2006 at 14:06

i used a tube of 2yr old AS5 for the pc that i'd just built and it seems to perform just as it should.

Roll · 5 Oct 2006 at 13:12

I was just wondering as well what the lifespan of thermal paste is once its been applied between a CPU and heatsink.

I've read it takes quite a few hours to 'cure' before it reaches optimum performance, but after that does it stay at that or does it degrade over time and eventually need to be renewed?

Delvis · 6 Oct 2006 at 16:43

The performance of thermal paste will gradually decrease, but if your an average user, you could keep that same compound on the CPU for literally, years, with no issues...

However as your probably over clocking (Hence the sitename and forum!

) Due to the heat increases etc the compound will probably slowly go away, and loose its effectiveness...

I say if your constantly fiddling with your rig...every 6 months or so, or if you do literally take the heatsink off the cpu, atleast re-spread the compound thats left on there (If theres a substantial amount left that is), but ideally its best to always clean the cpu, then re-apply fresh compound.