i5-4670k thermal paste question (re: included fan heatsink)

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Licita

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Nov 15, 2013
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I am purchasing the i5-4670k and notice that it comes with an Intel retail boxed fan heatsink. I understand that it will be attached to the CPU with thermal paste. I am wondering if I will need to reapply the thermal paste later down the road just for maintenance even if I do not change my system in any way. I am wondering if the thermal paste will wear out on its own/get old and lose its hold in a couple of years. Please let me know.
 
Solution
P1nnacle
1) Yes, it's screwed or otherwise latched onto the motherboard.
2) You don't need it, disregard.
3) You won't need to change it, it will last (the performance may diminish over time, but you won't notice it).
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Licita

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Thanks for the fast responses. I did not realize that it is not glue. I had no idea that the thermal paste helps transfer the heat. Thank you for explaining that.

1) So, if the thermal paste is not a glue, how is the heatsink attached? Is it screwed in to the motherboard?

2) Could you please tell me why it was suggested that I purchase aftermarket thermal paste. Will it last a lot longer? I am not doing it myself, I am having a system built for me at a computer store from the parts I chose.

3) If I don't have to reapply the thermal paste, I would prefer not to do that. If I plan on not changing it, should I be watching out for something as an indicator that it may need changing if I keep the computer for 5 - 10 years? I have been using my current computer for about 9 years (almost 10). I prefer low maintenance, but I am willing to do maintenance if it is going to help my computer last longer.
 
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P1nnacle

P1nnacle

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1) Yes, it's screwed or otherwise latched onto the motherboard.
2) You don't need it, disregard.
3) You won't need to change it, it will last (the performance may diminish over time, but you won't notice it).
 
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Solution
Blaise170

Blaise170

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Thermal paste is also known as thermal grease which is probably a better term. It is just a compound that transfers heat to the heatsink, nothing more. Aftermarket thermal paste dropped my temps considerably from stock, and even more once I added an aftermarket heatsink.

The heatsink is just screwed into the motherboard, it takes about 30 seconds for someone experienced to remove it and replace the paste, but it's not absolutely necessary if it's done right. If you really have the system as long as you say, you should try it yourself, or at least take it in once every few years for someone to do it for you.
 
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Licita

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Thank you Blaise170 and P1nnacle for your fast and informative responses. I really appreciate your feedback. You've both helped me to better understand the situation.
 
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Licita

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You have both answered my questions and this thread can be marked as solved. I'm not sure how to to that though.
 
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Blaise170

Blaise170

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It's required that you use thermal paste. Whether you use the stock paste or aftermarket is a different question. For future reference, you should start a new thread so that people will be more helpful.
 
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