Does Thermal compound go bad???

[Rob80]

I have a tube of AS3 that's about 3 years old. Does this stuff go bad or is it still good? It looks okay. Also, is AS5 a lot better or are they pretty much the same? I'm getting my opteron this week and I'm wondering if I should get new compound or not. Thanks.

 

[sodcha0s]

It'll be fine. Sometimes the ingredients will "seperate" in the tube if left sitting for long periods. Just squeeze a little out on a paper towel and discard before you apply any to your chip.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Rob80
I have a tube of AS3 that's about 3 years old. Does this stuff go bad or is it still good? It looks okay. Also, is AS5 a lot better or are they pretty much the same? I'm getting my opteron this week and I'm wondering if I should get new compound or not. Thanks.

AS5 isn't so much better that it would justify going and buying a new tube of it until you run out of the AS3. You will be OK.

To minimize seperation in storage, store the tube tip-down.