does thermal interface material have a use-by date. ive had some for about a year, wondering if it 'goes bad'? i have arctic silver 5, which at the time of purchase was considered amongst the best there was. is it still the best or are there other, better solutions? thanks dudes
I think it will depend on how its been stored. I always use the diamond or shin-Etsu paste myself these are probably the best.
Not sure if it goes off or not but I have never been pro arctic silver due to its conductivity and cure time. I don't think theres much difference worth talking about between tim's, maybe a degree or so, I've always used MX2 and gotten decent results.
The best TIM available would be this http://www.dazmode.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=128_120&products_id=533 Its basically a sheet that shaped like your CPU. It comes solid but would soften from heat after you stress test the CPU.
Yeah I read a whole thread about that one and they reckoned that it was great so long as you didn't want get it off again, They was saying it was a right b*****d to remove.
My AS5 is still going strong, had it for years I'm using Ceremique now as I got it for my GPU block but I've popped my AS5 away somewhere... The Ceremique seems to be as good as AS5...
stuff like the old thermalright chill factor- they say replace once a year.. but tim like mx-2 is supposed to be good for 8 years I wouldn't put much stock in that skinneylabs review.. they didn't review mx-3 for a reason.. it is that good or better but it costs a grip.. mx-2 is pretty much the all around winner, has longevity and decent temps, cheap
