How often should you repaste a GPU?

[mike5513456]

Thinking about repasting my GPU. I have a EVGA 2080 Super FTW Ultra that i have been running for about 2.5 years and was thinking about repasting as i was also going to repaste my CPU so thought i would do them in tandem.

[191x7]

Do the GPU only if the temperatures show you need to.

[mike5513456]

Just now, 191x7 said:

Do the GPU only if the temperatures show you need to.

May i ask why you suggest that?

 

[da na]

Well, only if you need to. If you're seeing high temps and throttling it's time, but leave it alone if not.

[Tan3l6]

Why change paste on a whim/schedule?

Alawys by the risen temps.

[Hybris5112]

6 minutes ago, mike5513456 said:

Thinking about repasting my GPU. I have a EVGA 2080 Super FTW Ultra that i have been running for about 2.5 years and was thinking about repasting as i was also going to repaste my CPU so thought i would do them in tandem.

 

Unless you want the experience or you are trying some extreme overclocking and want to use liquid metal or there is a clear verifiable fault in the factory paste job the paste will last the likely lifespan of the video card.

 

There are a lot of 10-15 year old GPU's still running with the factory paste still doing their job. Personally if I need to rip open a GPU then I more than likely need a upgrade anyway.

[mike5513456]

1 minute ago, Hybris5112 said:

 

Unless you want the experience or you are trying some extreme overclocking and want to use liquid metal or there is a clear verifiable fault in the factory paste job the paste will last the likely lifespan of the video card.

 

There are a lot of 10-15 year old GPU's still running with the factory paste still doing their job. Personally if I need to rip open a GPU then I more than likely need a upgrade anyway.

Okay makes sense I was jus trying to keep up and keeping the card in good standings. 

[PDifolco]

25 minutes ago, mike5513456 said:

Okay makes sense I was jus trying to keep up and keeping the card in good standings. 

Imho you could do it after 3 years or so, that paste can last 10 years isn't a reason to not repaste...

I think many ppl are still scared with tinkering with their GPU to repaste it - admittedly it's still a rather lengthy and delicate process, but it's rather easy

You still need speicalized screwdrivers (iFixit..) and be careful not to break the tiny fan headers ...

 

[mike5513456]

8 minutes ago, PDifolco said:

Imho you could do it after 3 years or so, that paste can last 10 years isn't a reason to not repaste...

I think many ppl are still scared with tinkering with their GPU to repaste it - admittedly it's still a rather lengthy and delicate process, but it's rather easy

You still need speicalized screwdrivers (iFixit..) and be careful not to break the tiny fan headers ...

 

Thanks for the info. Im not scared of taking it apart just didnt know if i should or not. I have fixed and repaird many laptops so delicate work isnt a worry for me. 

 

[PDifolco]

5 minutes ago, mike5513456 said:

Thanks for the info. Im not scared of taking it apart just didnt know if i should or not. I have fixed and repaird many laptops so delicate work isnt a worry for me. 

 

You can do it but it's not required unless you observe that your GPU temps are increasing

Also beware with the thermal pads, they easily "break" (or get some replacements pads, but there's various heights 1 to 3 mm so you need several)...

[DoctorNick]

1 hour ago, 191x7 said:

Do the GPU only if the temperatures show you need to.

I agree or if you need to clean it, then just change the paste while you're at it. @mike5513456

[Falkentyne]

3 hours ago, mike5513456 said:

Thinking about repasting my GPU. I have a EVGA 2080 Super FTW Ultra that i have been running for about 2.5 years and was thinking about repasting as i was also going to repaste my CPU so thought i would do them in tandem.

Record the GPU temps when the card is new (and memory junction temps if the card supports that).

If GPU or memory junction and GPU hotspot to core deltas increased by 10C or more, in the same benchmark and exact same ambient temps from your first test, then repasting is a good idea.  In most situations, you need to repad and repaste together, but you need to make sure you have the correct thermal pad thickness (you can measure the original pads with a $10 micrometer caliper from Amazon, you don't need the expensive $50-$100 ones).