Should I repaste my GPU?

[RJonline7]

     I have a 1650 Super from 2020. I bought the whole PC used in 2022 but the whole PC itself is from 2020. I don't know how important it is that I repaste it. I really would rather not have to because I'm very unlucky and I have hands like a... what's the opposite of a surgeon?

 

I bought the PC from my cousin, his mom said it had been sitting for 3-6 months un-used when they sold it to me but prior to that, I have no idea what kinda usage it underwent.

 

I haven't had any issues with it and it's not like the fan's getting really loud tryna dissipate a lotta heat or anything. I'm just concerned for its longevity.

 

The most demanding things I do on it are screen-sharing certain programs and running Genshin Impact at the same time. Other than that, I also play Starcraft Remastered and Counter Strike Extreme(don't judge, I'm old).

 

Thanks.

[Eigenvektor]

It's one of those mythical things people seem to like to do. If it gets exceedingly hot, then maybe it's worth consideration. Otherwise, just use it as is. They're not designed to be repasted.

 

I'd give it a visual inspection and remove any dust buildup, then just give it a try. Never disassemble it without having tried it first and without having measured temps first. Otherwise, you have no idea whether you made them better or worse afterwards.

[Freesurfer]

Not worth it unless you have actual issues with the card. There's a greater chance of damaging something removing the heatspreader than any benefits. On a GPU it is not just the dye that is cooled, but also the RAM chips and voltage regulators, and everything has pads carefully placed from factory. It is easy to misalign the pads.

 

Just keep the card free of dust

[xg32]

19 minutes ago, RJonline7 said:

.

the top 2 reasons i see on these forums for gpus bricking has to be repasting and the 12vhpwr connector. If it aint broke...

[y0ur5h4d0w]

2 hours ago, RJonline7 said:

     I have a 1650 Super from 2020. I bought the whole PC used in 2022 but the whole PC itself is from 2020. I don't know how important it is that I repaste it. I really would rather not have to because I'm very unlucky and I have hands like a... what's the opposite of a surgeon?

 

I bought the PC from my cousin, his mom said it had been sitting for 3-6 months un-used when they sold it to me but prior to that, I have no idea what kinda usage it underwent.

 

I haven't had any issues with it and it's not like the fan's getting really loud tryna dissipate a lotta heat or anything. I'm just concerned for its longevity.

 

The most demanding things I do on it are screen-sharing certain programs and running Genshin Impact at the same time. Other than that, I also play Starcraft Remastered and Counter Strike Extreme(don't judge, I'm old).

 

Thanks.

just dust it and use it, repasting a GPU is a nice trip to GPU death if you're not careful enough, if it doesn't get blazing hot a repaste is not needed, plus usually GPUs doesn't have crap paste as some coolers for CPUs, you're more then fine

 

and to be honest even those crap thermal paste doesn't get crusty before around 6-7 years in my experience so i won't bother at all

[RJonline7]

Thank you very much everyone @Eigenvektor, @Freesurfer, @xg32 and @y0ur5h4d0w for your input. I guess it's pretty much unanimous. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[toasty99]

Thermal paste dries out, regardless if it is on a CPU or GPU. It MUST be replaced eventually. A 1650 super is a card over 5 years old, thermal paste typically lasts 3-5 years on average though that can vary a lot. 

 

This GPU is due for a repaste. It's time to do so. 

 

I'm not sure why others are here telling you not to.

 

The only GPUs that don't need repasted are GPUs with PTM7950 or other phase change materials. 

 

It's part of routine PC maintenance to repaste your CPU AND your GPU. Paste dries out. It's part of keeping your system running properly to address that. 

 

Not repasting could kill your GPU. Repasting can't unless you do it wrong. Just do it the right way and you'll be fine. The 1650 cards are some of the easiest to disassemble.

[RJonline7]

13 hours ago, toasty99 said:

Thermal paste dries out, regardless if it is on a CPU or GPU. It MUST be replaced eventually. A 1650 super is a card over 5 years old, thermal paste typically lasts 3-5 years on average though that can vary a lot. 

 

This GPU is due for a repaste. It's time to do so. 

 

I'm not sure why others are here telling you not to.

 

The only GPUs that don't need repasted are GPUs with PTM7950 or other phase change materials. 

 

It's part of routine PC maintenance to repaste your CPU AND your GPU. Paste dries out. It's part of keeping your system running properly to address that. 

 

Not repasting could kill your GPU. Repasting can't unless you do it wrong. Just do it the right way and you'll be fine. The 1650 cards are some of the easiest to disassemble.

I appreciate the different take man. When I muster up the courage to do so, I certainly hope it's before it's too late. Thankfully, it hasn't shown any signs of any problems with heat whatsoever so at least I don't feel like I'm on a timer while I'm tryna muster up courage.