Old thermal compound..

[fink]

What's the shelf life of thermal compound? Not Arctic Silver but a reasonable quality brand...

http://www.glacialtech.com/news/2009_IceTherm.htm

It's at least 6 yrs old and is the consistency of considerably thicker than average toothpaste.
Or should I just buy some new stuff?

[jdc2000]

If it is that thick, I would probably purchase some new compound. Also, if you are going to do that anyway, I would check to see what the manufacturer of the CPU (or other chip(s)) you are planning to use it on recommends. Depending on the chip package, some compounds may not be recommended. Some are not compatible with plastic, some not with metal.

[Midknyte]

I'd get something new. There have been improvements in thermal paste performance since then. Gelid GC-Extreme looks pretty good.
http://www.computermonger.com/the-be...r-cpu-cooling/

[fink]

tnks. Newegg sells Gelid Solutions paste so I guess I'll get some of that. It's for my Core i3 CPU in my media server which is running a bit hotter than it used to even though it's kept dust free. Not critical @ around 52 degrees C but still hotter than it was months ago.

[fink]

Well that worked out well.

I didn't want to wait for delivery so I went to a local computer store and bought some good quality paste.. Arctic MX-4.. applied it and the temps dropped ~10 Degrees C. Makes me happy and also makes the computer run more quietly because 50C was where the fans kicked up a notch in speed and became audible (which is how I noticed the problem to begin with).

[fink]

I've gone on a tear replacing the paste on my graphics cards and other computer's CPU's. Works wonders everywhere. My main GPU dropped from 55 to 46 Degrees C. My core i5 just a few degrees but still...

I assume that less heat = more efficiency + lower fan speeds = less electricity being used as well.

[jdc2000]

Excellent results. The only drawback will be that your heating equipment will need to work a little harder in the winter time.

[fink]

work a little harder in the winter time

Heh.. you'd think so but I like ambient room temps to be on the cool side so my heating system never gets much of a workout except on the coldest days.

[photolady]

I have a question. I bought the Gelid GC-Extreme because my Arctic Silver is more than six years old. There is no instructions on how to apply it and I went to their website and although it says, Installation Manual, it's not a manual it's a flyer. Should I just apply it like I do my Arctic Silver?

I bought the package that has the spreader included.

[fink]

Should I just apply it like I do my Arctic Silver?

That's what was suggested by everyone when I did my initial research on it.
Thinly and evenly.

[photolady]

That's what was suggested by everyone when I did my initial research on it.
Thinly and evenly.

Thanks fink, will do.