Thermal Paste

[MLJGTI]

Hi All,

Just out of interest, does thermal paste lose its effectiveness if left exposed in the air.

I bought a new HSF about 2/3 weeks ago and install that on my old processor applying the given paste. I kept the small packet in my room. Today I installed my New 2500+ and reused the same paste. I have o/c it to 2.09Mhz (Bit disappointed - FSB Max 190. Anyway the idling temp doesn't really go below 48.
I have a Cooler master Aero Lite Adjustable. My old 2000+ Unclocked idled at 47ish with the Fanspeed set at minimum (1600) at the moment it is running about 2600 (CPU Temp 48) I have read people having much lower CPU Temps with the same Processor.

Any input welcome - Happy new Year all

Mobo - ASUS A7V8X
AMD XP 2500+ @ 2.09 (FSB 190 x 11)
Vcore 1.65 (Actual 1.69)
512MB - PC2700 DDR SDRAM 184 Dimm
Geforce Ti4200 64MB
Coolmaster Aero HSF (Adjustable )

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I don't *think* it does, but it might. Anyway, I've noticed that the paste provided with heatsinks usually isn't that nice. Not to be a fanboy or anything, but I really think that Artic Silver 5 is the best paste out there. I tested a lot of different things (like the stock thermal pad, some jetmax crap from compusa that came with an old HSF, some Zalman paste, and finally the AS5), and Artic silver worked the best! Also since thats an adjustable fan, turn it up all the way. Finally, whats your case temp? Do you have any exhaust fans? If you get the temps down you might be able to go higher with your OC. Either way congrats on the successfull o/c! Happy new years(remeber: beer before liquor - you'll be sicker, liquor before beer - youll be sober quicker )!

-Josh

 

[MLJGTI]

Alright m8,

Ajustable fan - way too noisy at max speed

Case temp 31/32 (Idling)

Pretty old case - I only have the PSU Fan blowing out the back.

Do you really think its a temp thing affecting overclocking - I thought it more likley the RAM.

Thanks for the input anways

Mark

 

[kevinthenerd]

Originally posted by: SpeedFreak03
Anyway, I've noticed that the paste provided with heatsinks usually isn't that nice.

If it's not parafin wax, it's still cheap. Get ASx. I'm still working on my batch of AS2 before I get something better.

 

[kevinthenerd]

Originally posted by: SpeedFreak03
remeber: beer before liquor - you'll be sicker, liquor before beer - youll be sober quicker

It's not "you'll be sicker" and "you'll be sober quicker".

It's offically "never been sicker" and "you're in the clear". That's how "clear" rhymes with "beer".

Ask any college student. :beer:

 

[NokiaDude]

Are you sure you didn't apply too much thermal paste? Remember less is best! Clean out the old stuff and try using HALF the amount of paste you used before.

 

[NokiaDude]

BTW, overclocking increases temps. Take it back to stock, the difference bettween 1.8Ghz and 2.09 is neglible.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: MLJGTI
Alright m8,

Ajustable fan - way too noisy at max speed

Case temp 31/32 (Idling)

Pretty old case - I only have the PSU Fan blowing out the back.

Do you really think its a temp thing affecting overclocking - I thought it more likley the RAM.

Thanks for the input anways

Mark

You have your cpu fan turned down, yet you're complaining about temps? Here's something you might want to try: just unplug your cpu's fan (it'll be dead silent then), and let us know what temps it runs while overclocked...

 

[MLJGTI]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: MLJGTI
Alright m8,

Ajustable fan - way too noisy at max speed

Case temp 31/32 (Idling)

Pretty old case - I only have the PSU Fan blowing out the back.

Do you really think its a temp thing affecting overclocking - I thought it more likley the RAM.

Thanks for the input anways

Mark

You have your cpu fan turned down, yet you're complaining about temps? Here's something you might want to try: just unplug your cpu's fan (it'll be dead silent then), and let us know what temps it runs while overclocked...

Wow thanks for that - really helpful. My original post was asking if Thermal Paste lost its effectiveness if left out exposed to air. I will be sure to try your unplugging of the CPU fan idea - too noisy anyway.

 

[Long]

ShinEtsu thermal paste is the best since it's more solid but yet doesn't brittle over time like the cheap pastes (Artic Silver included). Intel and AMD only recommend ShinEtsu. Apply a small amount and over a couple of days it will settle to a thin layer and you will see your CPU temperature drop.

Cooler Master Premium Thermal Compound PTK-001 is ShinEtsu. You can find it at NewEgg for $4.99 or Fry's for a few bucks more at $8.99.