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10-21-2007, 12:47 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Junior Techie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 59
|  Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
What is the lifespan of thermal grease, such as Arctic Silver 5? Or will it generally last for the life of my processor/computer. I read somewhere that I should reapply thermal grease every year or so for maximum effectiveness.
Also, I heard there's a set in period for AC5. How long is the set in period, and how many degrees C lower should the CPU be after AC5 sets in? Thanks. | 
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10-21-2007, 12:50 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 12,165
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
Not sure about the lifetime, but I'm sure it's pretty long. You're probably right on lasting the life of your processor. But it's nothing to be concerned about.
You don't need to reapply every year. I haven't, and the temperatures are fine.
Yes, there is a curing period for thermal paste to set in. Most thermal paste take about, 200 hours to cure. So a good week of load and idling will do it.
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10-21-2007, 12:51 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Lord Techie Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,008
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
4 days and then you have to re-apply 
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10-21-2007, 12:52 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Junior Techie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 59
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
b1gapl,
I read somewhere that I'm not supposed to run the CPU constantly during the set in period. Rather I should just use the computer normally and it will set in. I've been turning off the computer at night.
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10-21-2007, 12:54 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Renowned Budgeting Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Uniontown, PA Posts: 4,158
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
I believe i remember seeing that thermal grease is supposed to be good up to 6 years (says Arctic Silver) however I would re-apply it every 5 months or so.
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10-21-2007, 12:54 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Junior Techie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 59
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
Funny SaltyNavel. You an innie or outie? =)
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10-21-2007, 12:55 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 12,165
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
Quote: |
Originally Posted by TheMaestro b1gapl,
I read somewhere that I'm not supposed to run the CPU constantly during the set in period. Rather I should just use the computer normally and it will set in. I've been turning off the computer at night. | That's perfectly fine.
I don't know about running the CPU constantly during the set in period, but I do. And I haven't had a problem, ever. | |
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10-21-2007, 12:56 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Junior Techie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 59
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
Any ideas on how many degrees C the CPU temps should lower after grease sets in?
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10-21-2007, 12:59 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 12,165
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
Depends, as every chip is different. But I'd say, in the range of 2-5 degrees.
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10-21-2007, 01:11 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Lord Techie Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,008
| Re: Lifespan of Thermal Grease?
its a gradual change though and a week is just a guide it can take 1-3 weeks to fully stabilise depnds on your cpu, your cooler, make of grease used and quantity you add
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