How often to renew thermal paste?

AgedIdiot · 6 Nov 2016 at 08:33

Am looking over xmas to drain down and refill my watercooled system.
Thought occurred ' should I clean and re-new thermal paste?'
Answer to self was 'why not?' BUT then thought about having to replace the gpu/vrm's paste - a NOT !!

Unless, of course, it is an essential ??

Am running with MX4 - about 18months old - temps still appear good.

Thoughts appreciated - how often would you recommend renewing thermals?

Skiddley · 6 Nov 2016 at 08:57

Never have.

Broady21.pb · 6 Nov 2016 at 09:00

Hi, I change thermal paste at least once a year which seems to work for me nice steady temps from good contact due to new paste.

Rroff · 6 Nov 2016 at 09:15

Only if I see temperatures rising above what they normally are - properly applied I've had systems running for years with the same idle and load temps for a given ambient.

Purgatory · 6 Nov 2016 at 10:28

Rroff said:
Only if I see temperatures rising above what they normally are - properly applied I've had systems running for years with the same idle and load temps for a given ambient.

Holst1981 · 6 Nov 2016 at 11:16

I never renew unless I have another reason to mess with it.
Usually clean cpu block after a few years.

DarkMatter · 6 Nov 2016 at 12:10

Rarely if ever.

CaptainShiznit · 6 Nov 2016 at 12:36

Only if there was a problem with temps, or when changing CPU or cooler.

zola25 · 7 Nov 2016 at 12:20

^ As above only if changing the CPU or cooler, or there's been a rise in the temps.

AgedIdiot · 7 Nov 2016 at 15:02

Thanks for the replies

Have decided to leave until it is due for reason of temps. increase or otherwise needed (not just because of the passing of time)

ScottyJKB · 7 Nov 2016 at 17:12

CaptainShiznit said:
when changing CPU or cooler.

This.

Terminal_Boy · 7 Nov 2016 at 17:15

Rroff said:
Only if I see temperatures rising above what they normally are - properly applied I've had systems running for years with the same idle and load temps for a given ambient.

Another vote for "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." here.

st2000 · 11 Nov 2016 at 12:22

Personally when changing coolers, never seem to have a need to otherwise.

Liquiduk · 11 Nov 2016 at 12:25

As above.

Ree · 11 Nov 2016 at 12:30

Terminal_Boy said:
Another vote for "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." here.

pretty much this

robin66 · 11 Nov 2016 at 12:43

With good quality paste, about once a year.

Slam · 13 Dec 2016 at 13:05

any recommendations for cleaning away old thermal paste? does it go hard or can you just wipe it off with a cotton bud?

pandem0nium · 13 Dec 2016 at 13:18

Slam said:
any recommendations for cleaning away old thermal paste? does it go hard or can you just wipe it off with a cotton bud?

Paper towel to get the most of it off. Then I use sterets saches. They contain isopropyl alcohol to clean off the traces.

Holst1981 · 13 Dec 2016 at 13:30

I've never changed paste for the sake of it.
If it won't last more than a year I will buy some different paste.

Kuros · 13 Dec 2016 at 14:47

I tend to take down my water cooling loop once a year for a quick clean...

If I was on air cooled or an AIO water cooler, I don't think I'd bother myself.