Does it matter what thermal compound I use?
The big question is, does the type of thermal paste you use matter? Short answer, yes. Thermal pastes vary in composition, cooling effectiveness, viscosity and price, so you’ll want to determine what kind of machine you’re building and how desperately you want to shave off a few more degrees.
Is heat sink compound the same as thermal paste?
Heat sink compound (also called thermal grease, thermal compound, CPU grease, heat paste, heat sink paste, and thermal interface material) is a sticky paste that’s used as an interface between CPU heat sinks and heat sources.
How often should you apply thermal compound?
In most cases, you shouldn’t need to reapply more than once every few years, though you should replace your paste if you remove your cooler for any reason. You may also want to consider reapplying thermal paste if you find your CPU temperatures are climbing.
How long does thermal compound last?
Keep in mind that not all thermal compounds maintain efficacy the same way. Most value options are good for two to three years, while higher-end compounds can go up to seven years. Replacing it every two to three years is a good idea and will keep your chip at its optimum.
How do I know which thermal paste to use?
It’s important to choose a paste with the proper thermal conductivity levels to provide high versatility and total reliability to keep your system safe and cool. Each thermal paste comes with its own thermal conductivity rating for how efficient it is at transferring heat from the processor to the heatsink.
Can I use toothpaste as thermal paste?
Toothpaste is also an excellent substitute for thermal paste. Its structure decays after a few days, especially if the operating temperatures are high.
What ingredient in thermal paste conducts heat so well?
What is thermal paste made of? This paste is usually made of zinc oxide and silicone and it is characterized by a high thermal conductivity. There are also products with liquid metal that have a higher thermal conductivity.
Will thermal paste fix overheating?
Should you find your machine is overheating, switching out the thermal paste can be the first and best solution, and it will usually fix overheating issues. This may not be true in every single case, but with this being the primary purpose of thermal paste, it is a safe bet.
How much is too much thermal paste?
“Putting too much paste on a socket generally won’t hurt thermal performance, because the act of tightening down the cooler squeezes out the excess. Too little paste is bad, but anything above the minimum threshold will have the same effect once the cooler is tightened down.
What happens if thermal paste dries?
If thermal paste dries out too much, it may be unable to transfer heat properly. When this happens, the chips in your computer may not get the cooling effect they need. Therefore, in these rare cases, it is possible that “bad” or very dry thermal paste can fail to siphon heat, causing a buildup in the chips.
What happens when too much thermal paste?
“Sandwiches don’t work – When you apply too much thick thermal paste between the metal surfaces, it will result in a big chunk of paste in the middle and no surface connecting. As a result, it actually reduces the efficacy of the paste.
How do you know if thermal paste is working?
Most of the time if you have applied TIM correctly you will se a slight temperature change after a few days, So monitor your temps over the next couple of days and see if they start to get lower, If you have done a bad job it will take a lot longer for temps to change if they do so at all.
What happens if you use too much thermal paste?
When you apply too much thermal paste, it can act like an insulator. At best case, this may make the paste ineffective, and at worst case, you may damage components via overheating. Make sure that you apply a thin layer of paste to your component.
Can I use Vaseline as thermal paste?
Another solution to use as thermal paste can be obtained by mixing very fine aluminum powder with vaseline oil. The mixture must be blended for at least 10 minutes, in order to avoid the presence of little air bubbles.
Can I use Aluminium foil as thermal paste?
No. The thermal paste has to fill all small gaps between surfaces.
Is thermal paste a good conductor of heat?
Thermal paste is made of metal, and so it is conductive.
However, the amount of conductivity is very low, and so it is not a good conductor of electricity. This means that it is safe to use in electronic applications. Thermal paste is also a good conductor of heat. This is why it is used to help cool CPUs.
What will too much thermal paste do?
Can too much thermal paste cause overheat?
The thick paste will prevent the surfaces from connecting and act as an insulator. It can make the paste ineffective or cause overheating and damage to the components.
How long should I let thermal paste set?
It takes 1 week or 2 to cure, but it will only drop your temps about 1-3 degrees.
Can too much thermal paste cause overheating?
It can make the paste ineffective or cause overheating and damage to the components. Remember that we’re only trying to fill tiny, microscopic dents. Another danger you’ll face when using too much thermal paste is if it expands out beyond the chip and the plate.
Can too much thermal paste overheat?
Can I put new thermal paste over old?
Yes, you should always remove/clean the old thermal material when changing the heatsink and apply new thermal compound(as a general practice).
Does thermal paste need time to settle?
It takes effect instantly but it can take weeks for it to fully cure depending on how much you use your PC, the heat cures it. If its running more than a couple C’s hotter you made a mistake applying it or mounting the cooler.
What happens if you put on too much thermal paste?
How do I know if I used enough thermal paste?
Registered. The more viscous and thicker the paste, the more paste you need. The less viscous and thinner the paste, the less paste you need.