I've been having some serious temperature issues with my Ryzen 9 5950x setup, where temps were running up to 85°C, especially under load. My old thermal paste was Arctic Silver 5, and it was pretty old (about 3 years). After some research, I decided to go for a new tube of Noctua NT-H2. However, after applying it, my temperatures shot up to 85-90°C just booting Windows, which used to be around 75-80°C. I've reseated my AIO cooler multiple times, cleaned everything thoroughly, and even tried different application methods for the paste, but nothing seems to work. The NT-H2 paste doesn't appear to be expired, and it seemed fine during application.
I have a feeling that this paste shouldn't underperform compared to my old stuff, so I'm wondering if it's possible that this thermal paste is defective or if there are other issues at play. I've been building PCs for years, so I know what I'm doing, and I'm curious if there's any way to prove the paste is faulty beyond just high temperatures. Should I consider switching back to the Arctic Silver or is it worth getting a refund or swap for the NT-H2?
4 Answers
It's highly improbable that the thermal paste is causing such extreme temperatures. If it's not completely dried out or rock solid, it should be making some difference. Look at other components instead.
It's unlikely for thermal paste to be defective. Your issues might be stemming from your AIO cooler not dissipating heat properly or your CPU throttling under load. I'd check the pump speed to see if it's functioning as it should. If it's under warranty, consider an RMA; if not, you might want to look into a different cooler.
Honestly, it sounds more like a cooler problem than the paste. You mentioned an AIO, but didn't detail its age or condition. Sometimes old AIOs can clog up, leading to overheating. Just reseating the pump might not be enough if there’s buildup from the past. A thorough check is necessary!
I doubt the thermal paste is the issue. I mean, even if it was toothpaste, it shouldn’t lead to that drastic of a temperature spike. You might want to evaluate other cooling methods.
Good point! A malfunctioning CPU cooler could potentially cause serious overheating, so it makes sense to verify that first.
Yeah, if the AIO is gummed up, it could really mess with your temps. Make sure to clean out any residue if you switch coolers.