new thermal paste

[piercetorres]

im about to replace my cpu on my budget pc do i have to get new thermal paste and if i do have to is there a cheap thermal paste i can get

 

[BrinkGG]

12 minutes ago, piercetorres said:

im about to replace my cpu on my budget pc do i have to get new thermal paste and if i do have to is there a cheap thermal paste i can get

 

Don't cheap out on unbranded, penny price thermal paste. That being said, good thermal paste is only $7ish a bottle, and could do 2-5 applications depending on the CPU size.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087X728K/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_Ag4hEbZV6DNQE 

 

[Kc7vwc]

Temperature wise, most pastes are within 3-10 degrees of each other.

Where they really differ is longevity. Some will 'dry out' within a couple months or so. If this happens the paste will slowly flake away, drastically reducing it's efficiency. Or they will calcify, effectively fusing the IHS & cooler. 

(Friend of mine literally broke his Phenom II because the paste glued it to the cooler - see images in spoilers) 

Spoiler

Spoiler

As @BrinkGG said, just stay away from non-name brand. I just bought 8g of Mx-4 for $5 off Amazon. That's damn near a lifetime supply for most users. 

[JoshHendi]

Noctua's new stuff is super nice... some of the best temps out there, spreads easy and suppose to have 5+year use 

[Whiro]

On 1/15/2020 at 9:03 PM, piercetorres said:

im about to replace my cpu on my budget pc do i have to get new thermal paste and if i do have to is there a cheap thermal paste i can get

 

 

[freeagent]

Thermalright TF8 is very good.