How long can thermal compounds last till it needs to be re-applied?

[ugh]

Hi folks,

I've setup my system about 1+ year ago (AXP1600). I haven't done any OC and it's running @ stock speed since day 1. Since it's been more than a year, I was wondering if there's a need to periodically clean and reapply the thermal compound b4 it craps out. One more thing, I'm room temp is usually at around 28-33C so it's kinda hot.

BTW, I'm currently using AS2.

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[tchybrid]

hmm, the way artic silver is made, it doesn't "need" to be reapplied...

tho it would be safer for you to go AS3 or even Ceramique as those compounds are engineered to apply once, and never worry about it again.

some compounds become cakey after a while, but AS2, AS3, and Ceramique stay viscous.

 

[ugh]

Doesn't AS (or any other compound for that matter) deteriorates after a while? Not sure, just applying the normal "wear and tear" theory

 

[pspada]

Well, hopefully you are not continually removing your hsf. That'd be the only real reason for any "wear and tear".

 

[ugh]

On the contrary, I haven't touched it ever since the HSF was applied over a year ago. I suppose there's no reason to re-apply it?

 

[mrman3k]

Unless you see the temps of your processor go up more than 4C without that being weather induced, then it might be a good idea to reapply.

 

[screw3d]

I'll expect that the dust would build up on the heatsink in a considerably shorter time than the the time taken by AS2 to deteriorate.

By that time, you would take out the heatsink to clean it up and then you have no choice but to reapply thermal compound.

 

[ugh]

Amazingly there isn't much dust as I keep my room rather clean (my wife's a cleaniness freak ).