How often should you replace Thermal Compound?

Hardware Hub
1

Given that thermal compound degrades over time how often should it be replaced? i have a few GTX 460 cards lying around that are running hotter than a frying pan on a fire at high noon in the sahara dessert, does anyone think that replacing the TIM will help?

2

Probably worth a shot, but isn't that Fermi?

3

Blowing out the dust from the heat sink and fans is usually a good first step and usually it's all that's required. If that doesn't result in the temps falling to approximately what the temps were at stock, then its advisable to replace the TIM.

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4

I believe so, its an older nvidia card that i used when i was like 14 years old and i wanted to use it for a steam box

5

That wasn't really a question, Fermi is a hot gpu.

I would say go ahead and replace the TIM. They are old enough for a good cleaning and fresh TIM. TIM (under ideal conditions) can last a couple years under heavy load due to it's properties

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6

Probably not even really worth doing at this point if you plan on playing anything modern, find a used 7850 or higher card, or any 760 or above card maybe on the cheap

What games and what resolution are you going to be running at?

Do you already have the other parts of the steam box?

and by steam box do you actually mean running GNU/Linux on it?

7

Its basically all the parts from my old build,

i7 950
Some gigabyte mobo
GTX 460
500 watt powersupply

the gpu is running at 89 C playing rocket league

Mostly a console killer type thing, Multiplayer games on my TV, Rocket league, Shank and others

8

I don't think a water cooler could even make those things run cool. Better to sell them to someone and get a newer card. 660ti's should be easy to come by at this point.

9

4GB 370 for $90 here SALE ENDS IN 1 HOUR

10

I live in canada

11

When TIM solidifies, it should be replaced, because it will not follow the movement of thermal dilatation any more.

Stick a pin in the overflow mass, see if it is still viscous, if it breaks off, you have to replace the TIM.

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12

Stuff usually doesn't last more than a couple years. I've heard it varies based on the climate (like a dry room) but I'm not sure how true that is.

13

Simple answer is check your temps. If your temps are high then try replacing it. Check normal working temps for that specific card as well.

14

I never replaced it on my QX6800 which I had for 8 years, running at 4GHz. That's a pretty stout overclock for that CPU.

Don't replace your thermal compound unless you need to.

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15

3 years give or take depending on thermal paste for best performance, but it isn't actually necessary in most cases. In the case of your 460s? Yes absolutely replace it.

16

Its a Thermi Card(Fermi) so its a HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT GPU, and you can replace the TIM but they have IHS on the top of those Chips, so i think it will be an improvement, but it will get 5-10C max, clean the Heatsink aswell,

-Fallen

17

new title

>how often should we necro threads?

5 Likes
18

I was wondering what was in that little packet that came with the cooler

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19

I hate it when this happens.

  • Hmm, interesting question.
  • Oh wait. I know something about this and I can contribute.
  • Aaaaand I discover the OP is from 2 years ago.
  • D’oh!
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20

From the ‘old’ forum lol