Shelf Life of Arctic Silver

jmcarter · Post by **jmcarter** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:06 pm

Hi,

I'm about to build a new PC, and unfortunately forgot to order some Arctic Silver 5. I have found some Arctic Silver II that was used a few years ago - could I use this again, or does it have a use by date? Is it worth getting some AS5 just for the performance benefit over AS II?

Thanks,

Jacob

jmcarter · Post by **jmcarter** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:20 pm

I forgot to mention, I'm mounting a Thermalright Sl-120 on a Athlon Venice 3000+. Would the generic Thermalright paste be a suitable alternative to Arctic Silver Ceramique or 5?

teknerd · Post by **teknerd** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:40 pm

it'll work but in my experience AS drops the temps a few degrees.

fegul · Post by **fegul** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 5:51 pm

Usually it lasts about 6 months

Aris · Post by **Aris** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:44 pm

if it was me personally, as long as it wasnt all dried out and was still in the tube i bought it in, i would use what ive got.

im actually about to build another system, and still have 2 tubes of AS5 from a system i built almost a year ago. and i will probably still use it instead of getting new stuff.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:21 am

You could always contact Nevin

1) by email: [email protected]

-or-

2) by phone: 559.740.0912

and get the info straight form the source.

Krazy Kommando · Post by **Krazy Kommando** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 1:16 am

arctic silver doesnt dry out or anything, so as long as its still in the tube & feels/looks like it did when new it should be right

jermaink · Post by **jermaink** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:59 am

In saying that it lasts 6 months, do you mean it should be replaced every 6 months??

ultraboy · Post by **ultraboy** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:55 am

Interesting topic. I still have my old tube of Arctic Silver (1?).

The reasons I gave to myself not to use the old Arctic Silver were:

1. The old AS was designed for small contact like in the old CPU die,
2. The old AS was too liquid for my liking, and
3. Today CPU is much hotter (your Venice may be less hot, but still...)

And yeah.., probably more importantly, I like to get a new toy.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:23 am

ultraboy wrote:Interesting topic. I still have my old tube of Arctic Silver (1?).

The reasons I gave to myself not to use the old Arctic Silver:

And yeah.., probably more importantly, I like to get a new toy.

Go for it baby!! (you know you want to!!)

ultraboy · Post by **ultraboy** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:28 am

Been using exactly that for the last 2 years.

Straker · Post by **Straker** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:15 pm

just think for a sec, it's made to last basically forever sandwiched between two dissimilar materials at >50C, so it should be fine sitting in a drawer for 6 months.

mshan · Post by **mshan** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:25 pm

I read elsewhere that others change generic standard paste approximately every year (apparently turns to a powder?) and quality thermal interface material (Artic Silver, etc.) about every three years.

True?

(do others think it is also accurate that unused - i. e. not exposed to on off heat cycles probably has a much more extended storage life span?)

~El~Jefe~ · Post by **~El~Jefe~** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:58 pm

if it goo's for you, its good for you.

is it shiney and not gunked? then its not funked

HaloJones · Post by **HaloJones** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 4:05 am

I've been using the same tube for several years withut noticeable detriment. MIght a new tube of AS5 make a 0.2C difference? Maybe but you'll never be able to exactly replicate every other test condition to isolate to the thermal goop. According to at least one source you might as well use toothpaste!

=assassin= · Post by **=assassin=** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:24 am

I assume from the posts in this thread that my 8 month old tube of AS5 which was never opened should be just fine then?!!!

ultraboy · Post by **ultraboy** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:40 am

Yours is fine, =assassin=.

=assassin= · Post by **=assassin=** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:46 am

ultraboy wrote:Yours is fine, =assassin=.

Ta, thanks!