Using old thermal paste?

[SweetOh]

Hey lads. I think i need to reapply the thermal paste onto my heatsync for my cpu. It kind of looks like a very thin coat of dry paint at the moment. I have this syringe thing that has thermal paste in it but the paste itself is very very old. The paste says it has a use by date by 2004 (yea its really old) but my question is can i still use it? Is it one of those things where it has a use by date but it doesnt degrade in its container over time? Thanks in advance

 

 

[JHY]

If it's not exposed to air, then it maybe fine or may not...

[Beeeyeee]

I'd say you can use it as long as its still wet and liquidy. if its dryish at all I for sure wouldn't. New thermal paste isn't that much off amazon anyway.

[meenmeen1103]

It's probably ok to use if it still flows out easily, definitely not if it's closer to looking like play-doh. It's a cheap enough thing to just buy new and have no worries though

[Techicolors]

thats some old thermal paste. it'll probably still work but i recommend getting a new one if you want the most performance 

[it_dont_work]

It'll probably be fine if it looks nice and pastey and gray still, if it's separated don't use it.  If in doubt drop down to your local pc shop and buy a tube, it's only a couple of bucks.

[Techicolors]

and i'm curious, what brand of thermal paste is it? 

[SweetOh]

2 minutes ago, Technicolors said:

and i'm curious, what brand of thermal paste is it? 

Electrolube GTC10S

 

 

[Techicolors]

Just now, SweetOh said:

Electrolube GTC10S

 

 

i just googled it, and it literally returned no results lol 

[SweetOh]

Just now, Technicolors said:

i just googled it, and it literally returned no results lol 

http://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/htc10s/heat-transfer-compound-syringe/dp/317950

I found a place selling it here

 

[Techicolors]

Just now, SweetOh said:

http://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/htc10s/heat-transfer-compound-syringe/dp/317950

I found a place selling it here

 

ah you meant the HTC10s, not the GTC10s

[SweetOh]

Just now, Technicolors said:

ah you meant the HTC10s, not the GTC10s

Oh my bad mate

 

[meenmeen1103]

5 minutes ago, SweetOh said:

Electrolube GTC10S

 

 

That's likely a silicone compound, could get much better out of the conductive metals or ceramic even for under $10 and no worry of using 10yr+ old paste

 

EDIT: never mind on the silicone part, but the last part stands

[SweetOh]

1 minute ago, meenmeen1103 said:

That's likely a silicone compound, could get much better out of the conductive metals or ceramic even for under $10 and no worry of using 10yr+ old paste

Im not that much of a brain on this subject matter sorry, so it will work okay? I think its really needed becasue my cpu is running at 90-100 degrees

 

[meenmeen1103]

Just now, SweetOh said:

Im not that much of a brain on this subject matter sorry, so it will work okay? I think its really needed becasue my cpu is running at 90-100 degrees

 

What cpu? If you've taken the heatsink off without replacing the thermal compound, those numbers happen

[SweetOh]

1 minute ago, meenmeen1103 said:

What cpu? If you've taken the heatsink off without replacing the thermal compound, those numbers happen

Its an old cpu i3-4130

 

[meenmeen1103]

Just now, SweetOh said:

Its an old cpu i3-4130

 

54W TDP will probably do ok with that paste if it's not gone bad. If the paste is still good, and you've taken the heatsink off without cleaning and reapplying paste, it would definitely help.

[Zyndo]

I would say its probably fine (there is nothing in there that should break down or decompose so long as its not exposed to air where it could dry or evaporate). I would also say thermal paste is like 5-10 bucks, just go get some new stuff?