How often Should the CPU should be RE-Thermal Greased

peterosesbookie · May 1, 2003, 04:45 PM

The reason I am posting this is that I lost a cpu due that my thermal grease dryed out after about a one year and half with the recomended grease that AMD wants to be used on its chips. The chip was an AMD 1900+ MP. I have been down for about 1 week trying to figure out what went wrong with my system. So here is my poll.

What grease should be used and post why.

digitalwanderer · May 1, 2003, 05:11 PM

I change the thermal paste everytime I pull the CPU's heatsink...which admittedly ain't that often.

I have never really found a diff 'tween thermal goops either. I got a big toothpaste-tube sized tube of that standard white goop that AMD recomends that I find works great for everything, but I also have a tendancy to pick up all the latest/newest/shiniest goops too just to give 'em a go.

Right now I'm using Nanotherm Blue II and I like it a lot just for it's consistancy, it's a bit easier/neater than the white junk. I really can't tell a difference in performance, my max limits seem to be my max limits no matter what paste I put on.

Planing down my heatsinks and making sure everything is clean and flat before applying the paste is a whole lot more critical to me than which goop I use.

Rayder · May 1, 2003, 05:31 PM

Whenever I change CPU's or heatsinks. Currently using the CoolerMaster brand of goop. I don't have a clue if it's the best, the worst, safe, dangerous or what, but my PC is still running, so I guess it's doing it's job.

I also never considered the fact that it would NEED to be changed, the goop stays goop until it scooped is what I always thought.

peterosesbookie · May 1, 2003, 06:56 PM

When I pulled the heatsink off of the cpu the heatsink grease was dried out and both surfaces were dry and white. My tempatures were in the 45 degree range and nothing higher. I lost one of the 12 bridges under the core of the cpu.

I just going to have to upgrade to two 2600+ at this time.

later

pete

digitalwanderer · May 1, 2003, 07:38 PM

When I pulled the heatsink off me GF4 it was the same way...all dry and crusty. It worked MUCH better after planing and fresh goop. Mebbe I'll put it on me list of things to do when I clean out the systems....

EDITED BITS: I've decided. Once a year, every system; total refurb. Turn it off, tear it down, clean it as best possible, and re-assemble. Good geek exercise, and it'd be GREAT for the systems.

May 1, 2003, 04:45 PM	#1
peterosesbookie HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: OHIO Posts: 556 Rep Power: 0	How often Should the CPU should be RE-Thermal Greased The reason I am posting this is that I lost a cpu due that my thermal grease dryed out after about a one year and half with the recomended grease that AMD wants to be used on its chips. The chip was an AMD 1900+ MP. I have been down for about 1 week trying to figure out what went wrong with my system. So here is my poll. What grease should be used and post why. __________________ A Cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball peen hammer!

May 1, 2003, 05:11 PM	#2
digitalwanderer Colour Commentator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Highland, IN USA Posts: 5,619 Rep Power: 0	My .02 I change the thermal paste everytime I pull the CPU's heatsink...which admittedly ain't that often. I have never really found a diff 'tween thermal goops either. I got a big toothpaste-tube sized tube of that standard white goop that AMD recomends that I find works great for everything, but I also have a tendancy to pick up all the latest/newest/shiniest goops too just to give 'em a go. Right now I'm using Nanotherm Blue II and I like it a lot just for it's consistancy, it's a bit easier/neater than the white junk. I really can't tell a difference in performance, my max limits seem to be my max limits no matter what paste I put on. Planing down my heatsinks and making sure everything is clean and flat before applying the paste is a whole lot more critical to me than which goop I use. __________________ WTF is up with the sigs?

May 1, 2003, 06:56 PM	Thread Starter #4
peterosesbookie HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: OHIO Posts: 556 Rep Power: 0	When I pulled the heatsink off of the cpu the heatsink grease was dried out and both surfaces were dry and white. My tempatures were in the 45 degree range and nothing higher. I lost one of the 12 bridges under the core of the cpu. I just going to have to upgrade to two 2600+ at this time. later pete __________________ A Cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball peen hammer!

May 1, 2003, 07:38 PM	#5
digitalwanderer Colour Commentator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Highland, IN USA Posts: 5,619 Rep Power: 0	My GF4 too. When I pulled the heatsink off me GF4 it was the same way...all dry and crusty. It worked MUCH better after planing and fresh goop. Mebbe I'll put it on me list of things to do when I clean out the systems.... EDITED BITS: I've decided. Once a year, every system; total refurb. Turn it off, tear it down, clean it as best possible, and re-assemble. Good geek exercise, and it'd be GREAT for the systems. __________________ WTF is up with the sigs? Last edited by digitalwanderer; May 1, 2003 at 07:44 PM.

May 1, 2003, 05:31 PM	#3
Rayder Mostly lurking lately.... Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,161 Rep Power: 73	Whenever I change CPU's or heatsinks. Currently using the CoolerMaster brand of goop. I don't have a clue if it's the best, the worst, safe, dangerous or what, but my PC is still running, so I guess it's doing it's job. I also never considered the fact that it would NEED to be changed, the goop stays goop until it scooped is what I always thought.