[Mitesh]

I upgraded my PC 3 years ago and used Arctic Silver 5. After building the system I didnt use it for that long so the thermal paste has not been 'broken in' (the period of time it takes for the paste to reach max efficiency). My question is as I have not used the PC for 3 years hwoever it has been dust free internally; will I need to replace the thermal paste?

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Thermal paste dries out at high temperatures over a sustained period of time so unless you've wrapped that machine in kitchen foil and stuck it in the oven for three years, it should be fine.

[Neil Jones]

Thermal paste dries out at high temperatures over a sustained period of time so unless you've wrapped that machine in kitchen foil and stuck it in the oven for three years, it should be fine.

[Mitesh]

Oh really... many thanks. :)Are you sure that it would not have simply dried out jsut lying there doing nothing?

[The_Shadow_630]

Thermal paste generally only breaks down under heat, per the previous post, so I would not really worry about it "drying out" just from sitting unused somewhere.

[Mitesh]

Ok thanks alot good to know