I recently built a new PC featuring a Core Ultra 7 265K and a Gigabyte WindForce RTX 5070 Ti. I used Arctic MX-6 thermal paste for the CPU, and I'm curious about how long it typically lasts. I have heard that the factory thermal paste and pads used on GPUs can last the entire lifespan of the GPU, so I'm not too worried about that right now. Since I just assembled my PC, I'm mainly looking for preventative advice. How often should I really be replacing the thermal paste on my CPU and GPU?
4 Answers
For CPUs, I’ve heard it can be effective for like 8-10 years before needing to replace the paste. But like others said, if you never used a GPU long enough to really need it, don’t worry too much! Just monitor your temps.
Honestly, I’d only worry about it if you’re seeing higher temperatures. I’ve had systems where I never changed the thermal paste in years, and some where I found myself doing it every year. It just varies with the system and the usage.
Yeah, I've had a similar experience! Some systems just keep running fine without any adjustments.
A good rule of thumb for the CPU is to check and potentially replace the thermal paste every couple of years. You might not need to worry about it unless you start noticing abnormal temperature spikes that could lead to throttling when the system is under heavy load. For the GPU, you can likely go many years without any issues, as most factory thermal pads last a long time, probably even until you decide to upgrade the GPU!
That makes sense! My CPU got super hot a few years in, and I had to replace the paste, but my GPU has been fine for ages.
Exactly, just keep an eye on temperatures. If they’re stable, you’re probably good!
The lifespan really depends on the thermal paste you use. Some lower viscosity pastes can pump out quicker, while others perform really well for years. For instance, thermal compounds like PTM7950 on some modern GPUs can last nearly forever without degrading! Just watch temps, and replace it when necessary.
Interesting! I didn’t know about phase change materials. Guess I should do more research on that.
Totally! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!