I'm building a PC for a friend using some older components that he hasn't updated in about five years. He never used thermal paste when he originally built his setup. Should we consider replacing the CPU, which is currently functioning, or is it okay to just apply thermal paste now?
3 Answers
Definitely put some thermal paste on there! It’s going to help with performance since the CPU was likely throttling without it. You might be surprised at how much better it runs with the right thermal paste applied.
Pretty much all CPU coolers come with some thermal paste. If your friend didn’t use any, I’m curious why! Even without it, the CPU can work if there’s good contact with the cooler. But if temperatures were monitored and looked fine, maybe it’s just been running hot without anyone noticing.
Not having thermal paste can lead to overheating issues. If the CPU wasn’t showing any errors, it’s probably still good, but applying thermal paste now is a smart move. If you’re thinking about upgrades in the future, doing it right this time is key! Just don't overlook the thermal paste next time.
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