Artic Silver thermal paste shelf life?

[hanbalfrek]

Hey all,

Been coming to Anandtech for years now, but this is my first post.
Hope someone can answer a question for me.

I got my Artic Silver about 2-3 years ago when I was building a computer.
I'm now upgrading again (motherboard/cpu/video/ram) and am wondering if I can still use it. Does something like that go bad with time?

One thing to note, I plan on using the stock AMD cpu heatsink/fan, and am not sure if I should bother using the Artic Silver or not.

Thanks in advance for any input!

- John

 

[Lithan]

In the tube it should be fine. On a core I believe they recommend replacing it every 6-12months.

 

[fstime]

I'd just stay with the stuff that comes with the heat sink.

Unless your overclocking or having heat issues.

 

[numark]

I'd disagree; I say use the Arctic Silver from the beginning. For the first month or so, until it gets pretty well cured and whatnot, it may not make that much of a difference. However, after that, the Arctic Silver will be much better. I used to repair computers for a living, and I'd always see those cheap thermal pads turned into what was essentially dust after a year or two of being on the chip. However, Arctic Silver usually stays quite well spread out and even on the chip after that much time.

 

[Fern]

Hi hanbalfrek and Welcome to the Forums!

Just check the tube and see if if the compound has "seperated" into solids vs goo.

I store mine upside down so it doesn't really happen. If it seperated, squeeze out until you get the good stuff/high silver content

 

[imported_Kensai]

Yes. Do remove the old thermal pad and replace it with AS5.

 

[dguy6789]

AS5 performs better than a thermal pad. But it is supposedly known that thermal pads will last longer.

That said, I myself have never had a problem applying AS3 or AS5 onto a chip and letting it run with that one application for multiple years.

 

[hanbalfrek]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the input.

Does it matter that I have Arctic Silver II?

I'm thinking about just spending the 10 dollars (w/ shipping) and buy AS5.

Worth it?

And while I'm at it, should I buy a third party heatsink/fan? Or stick with stock but just use whichever Arctic Silver?

 

[Killmenow]

Personally, i would just get a new tube of AS5. If u can afford a new comptuer, then im pretty sure that 10 dollars wont be that hard to spare (of course, the opposite is possibly also true).

Um, I also have a question.....might not be that relavent, but im a lil too lazy to start a new thread (sowwi). Has anyone ever needed to reapply AS5 or AS Ceramique due to degrading performace over a very long period of time??? Ill be starting university soon, and I might be too busy to reapply and whatnot. Does that stuff actually degrade like thermal pads or does it actually have "absolute stability" as advertised?? Thx