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Should you replace LM?

Mister Woof
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Go to solution Solved by Velcade,

If the liquid metal is between the die and the heat sink you do not need to reapply it if you haven't taken the CPU out of the socket.  Intel socket does a good job of holding the heat sink on the die.

 

Clean the paste off your heat sink top and apply new when changing coolers.

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Going on 3 years since I delidded my 8700k with Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut.

 

It's been under a Cryorig H7 Quad Lumi since then, undisturbed outside of swapping to a difference case.

 

I was considering upgrading the cooler for *reasons* (temps are great still even at 5ghz, CBR23 run will get into maximum of 78c) but I'm concerned relaxing of the tension from the cooler and IHS might break the bond enough between the IHS and die that re-application of LM might be needed.

 

I've read some people say replace it, others say don't. I haven't noticed any problems with temperatures in the past 3 years.

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4 minutes ago, Mister Woof said:

I haven't noticed any problems with temperatures in the past 3 years.

Thats's your answer. If you dont see a problem with temps, it doesnt have to be replaced.

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Just now, TVwazhere said:

Thats's your answer. If you dont see a problem with temps, it doesnt have to be replaced.

What about pulling the cooler off to swap a different one? Think it might jostle it enough that it could affect it?

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Just now, Mister Woof said:

What about pulling the cooler off to swap a different one? Think it might jostle it enough that it could affect it?

If you remove a cooler, regardless of what thermal interface was used it should be replaced. 

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Just now, TVwazhere said:

If you remove a cooler, regardless of what thermal interface was used it should be replaced. 

I would definitely replace the TIM on top of the IHS, but I was talking about the LM under the IHS.

 

The IHS isn't exactly "floating" but I only put a dot of silicon on each corner so I don't know exactly if there's much tension from adhesive on the IHS.

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If the liquid metal is between the die and the heat sink you do not need to reapply it if you haven't taken the CPU out of the socket.  Intel socket does a good job of holding the heat sink on the die.

 

Clean the paste off your heat sink top and apply new when changing coolers.

"And I'll be damned if I let myself trip from a lesser man's ledge"

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While Velcade has nailed the matter I think you could enjoy a short read from Gamer Nexus on the matter:

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3359-liquid-metal-aging-one-year-test-how-often-to-replace-liquid-metal

 

It's possible LM holds even better than high quality thermal pastes do, I wouldn't fear of it while your temperature numbers are in check.

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Thanks for the replies everyone. I am considering grabbing a different cooler for looks 😅

i5-14600KF // 120x38MM Cooler Master AIO // B760i // 64GB DDR5 6000 // PNY RTX 5070 // Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max // Cooler Master V SFX-850 Gold // UWQHD AOC Display

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