How long does Artic Silver lasts?

[rui]

I have an Alpha PAL 8045 installed in my system. I am using Artic Silver II thermal paste.
This has been this way for around 4 months.
My doubt is how long does the artic silver lasts? I mean do I have to, periodically, dismount my heat sink and place new artic silver? Or just let it be?

Thanks for all your replies

[Uli]

As long as you don't take the heatsink off and on again, there's no need to replace the thermal compound. Even if it dries completely, all room between the die and the cooler is filled with material ensuring thermal contact.

greetz, Uli

BTW: Artic silver is way to expensive for that little effect...

[TopHatTheater]

Originally posted by Uli
BTW: Artic silver is way to expensive for that little effect...

I disagree. I've built identical systems one with and the other without Arctic Silver II and there was a noticeable difference in temperature between the two. AS II/III is the overclocker's best friend, second to a gigantic copper HSF or water block.

~THT

[Uli]

There i have a little to add ;) :

Arctic Silver is better for coolers, that don't have a polished contact plate, because of it's bigger particles better filling the microscopic scratches in the cooler plate. For polished copper plates a normal compound is better, cause it consist of smaller particles.

Additionly, if you're applying too much thermal compound between die and cooler, than Artic Silver is better, cause of it's better conducting silver particles...

greetz, Uli

BTW: Thunderbird 1.4 @ 1666 with Alpha PAL 6035 + Silenttech + 0,50 Euro Thermal compound + Case vent, running @47 degree celsius at full load :D

[theReal]

@Uli,

I have just heard of that effect - don't use arctic silver on highly polished heatsinks like the noisecontrol silverado. But then the site said Arctic Silver III had smaller particles and it was better on extremely polished heatsinks now, so I thought I give it a try.

Applying thermal compound is an art that, when skillfully done, can save a lot of degrees Celsius!

[rui]

Thanks people for your inputs. I guess i just will let it be.

About aplying artic silver: i can confirm that. The first time i mounted my alpha, i put in a certain quantity of artic silver. Then i dismounted the alpha and remove some of the artic silver i had placed. And the temp got down by about 1/2 ºC.
This goes a little against what Uli said about artic silver and polished surfaces : "Additionly, if you're applying too much thermal compound between die and cooler, than Artic Silver is better, cause of it's better conducting silver particles..."
But it was my experience.
Or maybe artic silver works its best with only a little bit, just covering the cpu. But if you are going to put a large amount, then be certain to use artic silver, because another compound would get even worse results.(?)
Please someone correct me if i am wrong.

[theReal]

Make that:

"Additionly, if you're applying too much thermal compound between die and cooler, than Artic Silver is better [THAN OTHER THERMAL COMPOUNDS], cause of it's better conducting silver particles..."

It's not better to apply much arctic silver, only it won't hurt as much as with other stuff.

[Uli]

Thats correct ;)
Apply as minimal as possible, to get the best effect of thermal compound. Avoid thou some air inclusions (correct?) that hazard thermal contact. The best is as little as possible, as much as needed. I think, this is it!
Correct me if i'm wrong ( I guess i'm right thou... sorry, totally drunk :p )

greetz, Uli

[axia]

hi guys,
well i think i can add to this debate,
my xp1900 went and unlocked itself so i had to strip down my alpha 8045,(btw i suggest supergluing the standoffs to the board, after the 9th time of rebuilding this HS im getting rather pissed that the board has to come out at a funny angle so i can get at my cpu)
What i found when i removed the heatsink was that 90% of the artic silver 2 had almost melted away from the die very liitle was actually on the die surface. admittly i have been running the p.c at speeds of 1800mhzs for nigh on 4 weeks 24/7.
My temps are slightly high full load (cce2.50)50C however i am voltmodded and that takes up the temps.
I still dont know if i acheived the unlock, after the fourth attempt i put it all back together and am just hoping for the best.
I want to get back to 180f.s.b, really cuts the encodong time down.
Well new hardrive tommorow....:D