Hey there! I'm in a bit of a tight spot and need some advice. I'm wondering if it's okay to run my computer without thermal paste for a couple of days. I'll mainly be using it for Word, sending emails, and doing Zoom video calls. My setup includes an Intel Core i5-12400 with its stock cooler, an Asus Dual GeForce RTX 3060 OC Edition 12GB GDDR6, and just two fans at the moment. Unfortunately, I can't get thermal paste right now, but I urgently need to use the machine. Any thoughts?
2 Answers
Speaking from experience, it’s not worth the risk. Sure, you might be okay for a short period, but without proper cooling, your components could really suffer. I'd suggest waiting if you can.
Running your CPU without thermal paste is a bad idea. It might shut down to prevent overheating within minutes, and even then, there’s a chance of causing damage. It’s risky—you’d want to avoid this if possible!
Yeah, I hear you. It's always better to wait for the right materials than to gamble with potential damage.