Thermal Paste - Clear Liquid in it?

[Bam]

Was about to reseat my CPU and thought I'd check my tube of Arctic Silver 5. First squirt on a test piece had some clear oil type liquid, then the paste. Would this suggest its gone bad, can thermal paste go bad like that?

Thanks

 

[JonSmith]

Thermal paste is a suspension, so often you will get an oily residue from the first application due to how it is manufactured. Subsequent applications should be fine. It never goes "bad" as such really all that can happen is the liquid part will evaporate over time. If properly sealed and stored it will last for a very long time.

 

[Bam]

Excellent, I had worried I would effectively cook my CPU

Thanks for the response.

 

[jh30uk]

Was about to reseat my CPU and thought I'd check my tube of Arctic Silver 5. First squirt on a test piece had some clear oil type liquid, then the paste. Would this suggest its gone bad, can thermal paste go bad like that?

Thanks

I think it does have a life yes, but if you read their website it used to tell you to store it nozzle down and even in the fridge to stop separation.

You cannot help what way it has been before you get the tube but I store it the nozzle down after I buy it and use it a few days later then store it same way till next time.

Let it sit a few days nozzle down then squeeze some out of it and dispose of it then use the cleaner stuff that comes out.

 

[Bam]

I think it does have a life yes, but if you read their website it used to tell you to store it nozzle down and even in the fridge to stop separation.

You cannot help what way it has been before you get the tube but I store it the nozzle down after I buy it and use it a few days later then store it same way till next time.

Let it sit a few days nozzle down then squeeze some out of it and dispose of it then use the cleaner stuff that comes out.

Will do thanks for the tip

 

[barnettgs]

First squirt on a test piece had some clear oil type liquid, then the paste.

I have noticed mine recently and also last November.

After applying it to my Macbook Pro's CPU & GPU around a couple of weeks ago, the temperatures have dropped and it was running much cooler.

However, the temperatures seemed to have creeped back up earlier this week and they are still much the same as they were before being re-applied.

I also re-applied last November using the same tube, again noticed the oil-like liquid coming out first, of course I squeezed it out. The temperatures did drop but then, eventually creeped back up. Hence I googled about the separation of Arctic Silver 5 and also found this thread.

I just think that the separation of AS 5 isn't good because once the liquid is separated from the rest of it, the paste is no longer the same unless you mix them back together.

Based on my experience, I think I will order a new paste.

 

[Bam]

I have noticed mine recently and also last November.

After applying it to my Macbook Pro's CPU & GPU around a couple of weeks ago, the temperatures have dropped and it was running much cooler.

However, the temperatures seemed to have creeped back up earlier this week and they are still much the same as they were before being re-applied.

I also re-applied last November using the same tube, again noticed the oil-like liquid coming out first, of course I squeezed it out. The temperatures did drop but then, eventually creeped back up. Hence I googled about the separation of Arctic Silver 5 and also found this thread.

I just think that the separation of AS 5 isn't good because once the liquid is separated from the rest of it, the paste is no longer the same unless you mix them back together.

Based on my experience, I think I will order a new paste.

Just read up on he Arcticsilver webby:
To keep your new thermal compound fresh for future applications, always replace the cap on the syringe after each use. The syringe should be stored tip down so that any separation between the particles and suspension fluid will be at the back end of the syringe

So its normal, well, not harmful is how I read it. Its now upside down, nozzle down
But like you, I think I'll order some Prolimatech based on Stulid post/TIM review

 

[PieEater]

I think fresh paste is the way to go. Although technically there's probably nothing wrong with the separated paste it's going to be more difficult to apply, and as I use the pea/rice method I'd be wary that the thicker consistency wouldn't allow for the paste to spread out properly.

 

[Bam]

I think fresh paste is the way to go. Although technically there's probably nothing wrong with the separated paste it's going to be more difficult to apply, and as I use the pea/rice method I'd be wary that the thicker consistency wouldn't allow for the paste to spread out properly.

Indeed. Just ordered a Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 CPU Cooler and Prolimatech PK-3. Should have some fun fitting that tonight