Does Thermal Paste Have A Shelf Life ?

Sliver

Sliver

Sliver

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As per the title. I was thinking of buying some just in case I need to use it, rather than have a problem and then get some from the net and have to wait a few days for delivery. Does this stuff last years if unopened ?

Thanks.
 
Basically yes. It is a dense suspension of particles. I have had stuff for years without any issues and opened. At least two or three should be OK though.
 
just a quick question to add on the the OPs thread once applied and has been on the cpu for a few years is it wise to replace thermal paste? will it keep doing its job as good just as good as when you first applied it? or does it degrade slightly and your temps start to creep up?

Thanks

Sam
 
The Slayer_UK said:
just a quick question to add on the the OPs thread once applied and has been on the cpu for a few years is it wise to replace thermal paste? will it keep doing its job as good just as good as when you first applied it? or does it degrade slightly and your temps start to creep up?

Thanks

Sam
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I think it depends on the thermal paste being used. I use Arctic Silver 5 which is a grease so in theory I won't ever need to replace it because it won't dry out.
 
What about Arctic Silver Céramique would that have a shelf life ? the reason im asking is cos i have some...had it a while too

Sorry to jump in on your thread OP :)
 
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I've used Ceramique from like 2003 in a 2012 build with no issue, know its 03 as i bought 4 massive tubes of it that year specifically for Barton phase change fun and never bought any again as i used standard AS for air. Found a half tube of Arctic Silver from like 2001 this year :D (both in a pinch, needed to finish and it was like Saturday night) I know it had be '01 ish as the hardware i found it with were K6-2s and PIIs which i sort of remember putting in the shed around that time. Worked as expected.
 
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valkynaz said:
I think it depends on the thermal paste being used. I use Arctic Silver 5 which is a grease so in theory I won't ever need to replace it because it won't dry out.
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Im not sure what paste i used now it not sure if i used some that came with my 3930k or weather i purchased different paste
 
The Slayer_UK said:
just a quick question to add on the the OPs thread once applied and has been on the cpu for a few years is it wise to replace thermal paste? will it keep doing its job as good just as good as when you first applied it? or does it degrade slightly and your temps start to creep up?

Thanks

Sam
Click to expand...

No reason to dismantle and redo the paste unless you are getting heat issues and your fans/heatsink/rad/pump are all clean and working.
 
30g of thermal paste for 99p....can't go wrong with that and lasts ages and it works well.

Q8200 with H60 idels at 30-33 and load 38-43
 
Actually they have a shelf life and they can dry out.

I had some thermal paste from HP (I used to work for a HP representative and they used to send us some thermal paste) after 5 years some of them were really dry even that they were never open.

I would buy new ones every 3 years... they are not expensive... I would replace the thermal paste on my CPU at least once every 2 or 3 years (but usually I change cpu before that :P)

It is like changing the oil on my car, I change every 3K miles, on my bike I change every 2K miles you don't have to... but if you do it is better :)
 
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My current AS5 is about four years old. When I use it, the first bit which comes out has no metal in it, it's just the fluid. That suggests the stuff does change with time. But as long as the cap is on, and you shake it, then discard the first few millimetres, I've never had a problem.
 
Meridian said:
My current AS5 is about four years old. When I use it, the first bit which comes out has no metal in it, it's just the fluid. That suggests the stuff does change with time. But as long as the cap is on, and you shake it, then discard the first few millimetres, I've never had a problem.
Click to expand...

I get this with brand new tubes.
 
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