Thermal paste

ChrisD. · 6 Aug 2011 at 00:00

I have some Arctic silver 5 in a tube which I've had since 2008 I think. I've used it for different things over the years and I'm wondering if the stuff in the tube has a shelf life or anything? Basically is it worth buying some new stuff?

Also what's the best way of applying it to a 2600k?

Nexus18 · 6 Aug 2011 at 00:04

Don't know about your first question but to your second question:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/What-is-the-Best-Way-to-Apply-Thermal-Compound/1303/3

I used the method that they thought was the best and it turned out good for me (so far....)

stulid · 6 Aug 2011 at 00:04

Artic Silver5 is still the bomb, its just that some people dont like using it as its electrically conductive, so if you get some in the wrong place then bye bye PC, MX-4 is the current favorite of many places and people.

Add a grain of rice-pea sized blob in the middle of the heatspreader and let the clamping force of the cooler spread it about.

ChrisD. · 6 Aug 2011 at 00:19

I think I will re-apply some tomorrow and see if it makes a difference, then for the sake of a few quid, get another batch.

Surveyor · 6 Aug 2011 at 02:13

MilanoChris said:
I think I will re-apply some tomorrow and see if it makes a difference, then for the sake of a few quid, get another batch.

Artic Silver 5 has a curing time so you may actually see worse results to start off with.

Due to the unique shape and sizes of the particles in Arctic Silver 5's conductive matrix, it will take a up to 200 hours and several thermal cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity. (This period will be longer in a system without a fan on the heatsink or with a low speed fan on the heatsink.) On systems measuring actual internal core temperatures via the CPU's internal diode, the measured temperature will often drop 2C to 5C over this "break-in" period. This break-in will occur during the normal use of the computer as long as the computer is turned off from time to time and the interface is allowed to cool to room temperature. Once the break-in is complete, the computer can be left on if desired.