Does TIM expire?
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Does TIM expire?
Does TIM expire?
If so, whats a good one for direct heatpipe cooloers like the old Xigmatek/ Cooler Master 212
If so, whats a good one for direct heatpipe cooloers like the old Xigmatek/ Cooler Master 212
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Re: Does TIM expire?
xev wrote:Does TIM expire?
As any chemical compound, it has its own shelf life (it degrades over time, though usually you also notice that from its physical aspect): often it's declared on the box/tube.
When applied, it depends of the specific paste in how much time it dries up (but usually enthusiasts-grade ones are way less prone to, than cheap OEM ones, being richer in oil/silicon/grease/whatever).
All in all, direct observation/personal experience really matters, more than theorethical speculations.
In EU the Arctic Cooling MX4 has a very favourable performance/price ratio (among enthusiasts-grade TIMs), though probably my favourite is the Thermalright Chill Factor III: take also note that, on those old first generation HDT/DCH coolers, tinting actually helps a bit more (though it's tedious), whichever the paste is.xev wrote:whats a good one for direct heatpipe cooloers like the old Xigmatek/ Cooler Master 212
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Re: Does TIM expire?
To extend their shelf life, Arctic Silver recommends storing their compounds tip-down in a refrigerator, and allowing them to return to room temperature before using them again.
There are comparisons of TIM performance online, but in the end it's up to the user which price-to-performance ratio fits their needs best.
There are comparisons of TIM performance online, but in the end it's up to the user which price-to-performance ratio fits their needs best.
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Re: Does TIM expire?
So what a shame that Arctic Silver products are not competitive...Fire-Flare wrote:To extend their shelf life, Arctic Silver recommends storing their compounds tip-down in a refrigerator, and allowing them to return to room temperature before using them again.
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Re: Does TIM expire?
Still trucking with the original Arctic Silver tube I bought in... 2004? Earlier? Just on principle, to see how long it can go. So far the consistency and efficiency have been much the same, year in year out, kept it sealed in a bag in cool storage (+16 °C maybe?). I have not had to use it in a year or two, so don't know what the current status is - or if I still have the tube after the last move.
Has worked on everything from plate to exposed heatpipe; first Scythe then Xigmatek then Noctua, and any cooler installations I loaned the stuff for. One passive GPU cooler replacement as well. I don't know what this talk about "not competitive" is, Luca, but then again I haven't used any modern Arctic Silver stuff.
Has worked on everything from plate to exposed heatpipe; first Scythe then Xigmatek then Noctua, and any cooler installations I loaned the stuff for. One passive GPU cooler replacement as well. I don't know what this talk about "not competitive" is, Luca, but then again I haven't used any modern Arctic Silver stuff.
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Re: Does TIM expire?
Perhaps not with the low melting point metal alloy TIMs...quest_for_silence wrote:So what a shame that Arctic Silver products are not competitive...Fire-Flare wrote:To extend their shelf life, Arctic Silver recommends storing their compounds tip-down in a refrigerator, and allowing them to return to room temperature before using them again.
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Re: Does TIM expire?
as soon as i can find my 13+ year old tube of AS5, im running a test between that, a brand new tube, and some vaseline.
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Re: Does TIM expire?
They are not with lots of compounds.Fire-Flare wrote:Perhaps not with the low melting point metal alloy TIMs...
xan_user wrote:as soon as i can find my 13+ year old tube of AS5, im running a test between that, a brand new tube, and some vaseline.
Nice! Do you mind to throw in a different paste also?
Re: Does TIM expire?
Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Vibrant Mint Flavor Whitening Toothpaste, perhaps? It's got a lot of adjectives, it must be goodquest_for_silence wrote:Nice! Do you mind to throw in a different paste also?
xan: I've got a 2 yr old tube of Ceramique 2 that's been sitting in my paper clip tray. Want to borrow it? Send me an inbox with your address.
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Re: Does TIM expire?
Uh? Why did your post appear so late? I mean, just *now*... Steve?
I made a brief round up a while ago (look for kryonaut in the forum), Arctic Silver products didn't go that well (comparatively).Das_Saunamies wrote:I don't know what this talk about "not competitive" is, Luca, but then again I haven't used any modern Arctic Silver stuff.
Re: Does TIM expire?
Huh?quest_for_silence wrote:Uh? Why did your post appear so late? I mean, just *now*... Steve?
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Re: Does TIM expire?
Das_Saunamies' post "appeared" on my screen after your one (when I wrote this, there wasn't), like it happens when a post is under moderation... rather odd...CA_Steve wrote:Huh?quest_for_silence wrote:Uh? Why did your post appear so late? I mean, just *now*... Steve?
Re: Does TIM expire?
nope - no moderation going on..just an internet oddity.
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Re: Does TIM expire?
Ah, gotcha, I'll be sure to take a look. The state of the TIM debate (meaning "discussion" more than "argument") was pretty stale the last time I heard any news.I made a brief round up a while ago (look for kryonaut in the forum), Arctic Silver products didn't go that well (comparatively).Das_Saunamies wrote:I don't know what this talk about "not competitive" is, Luca, but then again I haven't used any modern Arctic Silver stuff.