Can thermal paste degrade with use?
Can thermal paste degrade with use?
I believe the standard grease included with the HSF or CPU might only last a year or so, especially given your regular use of the computer. A quality thermal paste such as Artic Silver could potentially last a year or two. Also, because heat plays a role, higher temperatures can reduce the lifespan of the thermal paste. Many factors come into play, like quality, temperature, and usage. For my perspective, it seems reasonable to replace it annually, though this might mean the computer becomes outdated and needs an upgrade.
awesome question I have no clue as I just slap the stuff on and usualy dont worry about it... (I upgrade so often I doubt the stuff ever gets old lol) I should probably redo the TIM on my OCed Northwood as its just the stock thermal pad not even AS but the temps seem fine so I never bother
I notice AS5 improves as it ages, developing a more consistent thinner coating. Recording the initial temperatures after applying AS5 and then again after a month would be helpful. The thermal paste on those Intel stock coolers changes over time, becoming a hard, dry kina grit. That's an interesting observation.
That's a valid observation. Also, be sure to remove all dust from your heatsink/fan and case fans before applying the paste to ensure uniformity.