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Do I need to replace the thermal paste?

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  • CPUs
Last response: in CPUs
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February 23, 2014 6:22:05 PM

Hi, so let me give you the rundown.
I recently built a new gaming computer and am super happy with it...all except for one issue: the CPU overheats!
The CPU in the build is an AMD Athlon x4 760k Richland.
Once I had built the computer and tested it for the first time, everything was perfect. The CPU worked, everything booted up correctly, and I installed my OS. I even played a few games on the CPU.
About two days later, while playing Minecraft, I noticed unnecessary lag spikes, and I went to check temperatures on the parts. Everything was running very cool, indicating it is not a circulation problem. But my CPU was running at 100 degrees Celsius.
After a bit of testing, I realized while idle the computer ran at 70 degrees Celsius. Thus, I decided to submit my first ever Tom's Hardware forum post, and someone suggested to remove the heatsink fan and reseat it.
So, after doing this the CPU temperature dropped dramatically. While idle, it now only runs at about 40 degrees Celsius.
But whenever I start doing something, whether that be play a game or even start up Google chrome, the CPU temperatures spikes as much as 30 degrees at a time. While playing Minecraft, the CPU is about 40 degrees Celsius in the menu screen, and as soon as you load up a world, it immediately spikes to 77 degrees. That's a huge jump.
So, I decided to post my second forum post, where someone suggested I should reapply the thermal paste, as I may have trapped air bubbles in the original layer when removing the heatsink fan.
So, what is your guys' opinions on the situation? I really need this computer working!

More about : replace thermal paste

a b à CPUs
February 23, 2014 6:28:01 PM

General rule of thumb is to always clean off the old compound and replace it any time you remove the heatsink.
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February 23, 2014 6:29:33 PM

ex_bubblehead said:
General rule of thumb is to always clean off the old compound and replace it any time you remove the heatsink.


So you are implying that the old thermal paste is causing the spikes in temperature and will fix the issue at hand?
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a b à CPUs
February 23, 2014 6:33:34 PM

It's a most likely cause. It's never a good idea to reuse the old compound.
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February 23, 2014 6:45:21 PM

ex_bubblehead said:
It's a most likely cause. It's never a good idea to reuse the old compound.


What could other causes be?

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a b à CPUs
February 23, 2014 6:51:27 PM

First replace the thermal compound, then start looking for other causes. If the CPU heatsink is cool to the touch then it isn't doing its job, which is to draw heat out of the CPU and radiate it into the air.
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February 23, 2014 7:43:12 PM

ex_bubblehead said:
First replace the thermal compound, then start looking for other causes. If the CPU heatsink is cool to the touch then it isn't doing its job, which is to draw heat out of the CPU and radiate it into the air.


The heatsink is cool to the touch. Do I need a replacement?

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a b à CPUs
February 23, 2014 7:46:23 PM

You need to properly install it. Unless the CPU is at dead idle or turned off, the heatsink should be mildly warm to the touch near the point that the two come together.
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February 23, 2014 7:48:45 PM

ex_bubblehead said:
You need to properly install it. Unless the CPU is at dead idle or turned off, the heatsink should be mildly warm to the touch near the point that the two come together.


There's no way to mess up the installation of an AMD heatsink, it uses a clamp fastener. Warmish air is blowing out of the fan on the heatsink, however.

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a b à CPUs
February 23, 2014 7:56:46 PM

Actually, there is. If the two mating surfaces are not perfectly parallel, or too much thermal compound is used (which will act more as an insulator), there will be an imperfect joint between the two and a greatly reduced thermal transfer. The clamp can still be fastened, even if the two surfaces are not perfectly aligned.
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February 23, 2014 8:02:55 PM

ex_bubblehead said:
Actually, there is. If the two mating surfaces are not perfectly parallel, or too much thermal compound is used (which will act more as an insulator), there will be an imperfect joint between the two and a greatly reduced thermal transfer. The clamp can still be fastened, even if the two surfaces are not perfectly aligned.


Oh, wow. That must have been what happened the first time I put the heatsink on. But it doesn't explain why while idle the CPU is cool and while it is playing a game it spikes, as most experiences without a heatsink working result in 70 degree idle temperatures. So really the thermal compound is to blame here?
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a b à CPUs
February 23, 2014 8:08:12 PM

Just reinstall your heatsink, making sure that absolutely everything is perfect and be done with it. Use no more than a rice grain size dab of compound in the middle of the CPU heat spreader. Once the clamp is fastened, gently twist the heatsink side to side a couple of times to spread the compound under pressure, then leave alone.
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February 23, 2014 11:01:56 PM

Dragonuave said:
Hi, so let me give you the rundown.
I recently built a new gaming computer and am super happy with it...all except for one issue: the CPU overheats!
The CPU in the build is an AMD Athlon x4 760k Richland.
Once I had built the computer and tested it for the first time, everything was perfect. The CPU worked, everything booted up correctly, and I installed my OS. I even played a few games on the CPU.
About two days later, while playing Minecraft, I noticed unnecessary lag spikes, and I went to check temperatures on the parts. Everything was running very cool, indicating it is not a circulation problem. But my CPU was running at 100 degrees Celsius.
After a bit of testing, I realized while idle the computer ran at 70 degrees Celsius. Thus, I decided to submit my first ever Tom's Hardware forum post, and someone suggested to remove the heatsink fan and reseat it.
So, after doing this the CPU temperature dropped dramatically. While idle, it now only runs at about 40 degrees Celsius.
But whenever I start doing something, whether that be play a game or even start up Google chrome, the CPU temperatures spikes as much as 30 degrees at a time. While playing Minecraft, the CPU is about 40 degrees Celsius in the menu screen, and as soon as you load up a world, it immediately spikes to 77 degrees. That's a huge jump.
So, I decided to post my second forum post, where someone suggested I should reapply the thermal paste, as I may have trapped air bubbles in the original layer when removing the heatsink fan.
So, what is your guys' opinions on the situation? I really need this computer working!




Just a question, what do you mean by the word recetly? If thats sooner than 2 years, then there must be something else than just cooling paste.
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a b à CPUs
February 24, 2014 2:44:51 AM

And the cooler is let me guess... stock? TDP 100W on a pity cooler can get you even near 80C-90C, paste cant give you lower temps if the cooler cant get the job done properly.
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February 24, 2014 3:59:18 AM

Ra_V_en said:
And the cooler is let me guess... stock? TDP 100W on a pity cooler can get you even near 80C-90C, paste cant give you lower temps if the cooler cant get the job done properly.


Assuming he doesn't have a large overclock, or very low airflow in his case, the stock cooler will keep it well under 80 C, even under load. That's exactly what it's designed to do. Meanwhile, non stock is almost always massive overkill without a significant overclock.

Given that the CPU seems to be the only thing getting all that hot, I have to assume that the case airflow is fine... and it really doesn't need as much as people seem to think. If the fan's working fine, the most likely culprit is going to be the thermal interface... clean off the old gunk with some isopropyl alcohol and coffee filers/something lint free, get some Arctic MX-2 or similar (Though the MX-2 is easy to use and among the best, the difference between it and generic value TIM is not particularly noticeable), and make sure you get a good application, that you don't use too much, and that the cooler sits level on the CPU. Also, don't touch the surfaces after cleaning them... the oils on your fingers are poor heat conductors.

Once you get a good application, there is no need to reapply. TIMs get stronger with age, not weaker.
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a b à CPUs
February 24, 2014 4:25:28 AM

Well i have to disagree with the statement that putting a custom cooler is an overkill.
Its so not true in so many ways i don't even know when to start:
1) Generally lower temperatures are better for any electronic components (there are exceptions ofc) and extends its lifespan, 80C is maybe a bearable value but far from optimal.
2) I doubt that stock cooler can sit at 80C, I'm using a custom cooler with 4 heat pipes on C2Quad (90W TDP) and when I turn off idle states (running on default voltage) this cooler can hit ~65-70C oh heavy load for couple of minutes.
3) Fan noise on those stock fans is a joke.
4) Thermal surface is much better/smoother on custom coolers so paste makes less difference.

The answer for the title question "Do I need to replace the thermal paste?" is straightforward then.
You won't know until you check it, it can be bad voltage settings, it can be paste, it can be a weak cooler or something is wrong with a monitoring diode or that CPU. Put a finger on that radiator, if its burns then its quite high temperature.... silly but easiest test of all.
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February 24, 2014 2:22:25 PM

Dragonuave said:
ex_bubblehead said:
General rule of thumb is to always clean off the old compound and replace it any time you remove the heatsink.


So you are implying that the old thermal paste is causing the spikes in temperature and will fix the issue at hand?


thats what he is saying, yes :) 
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February 25, 2014 12:13:02 AM

I have worked on a lot of laptops with thermal issues. I used to use whatever thermal past was available. Usually some white bargain crap. But I would end up seeing the same laptops come back within a few weeks with the same thermal issues. So I did some research on thermal paste and found out that there is a huge difference in the thermal characteristics between the bargain brand and the more pricey thermal paste.
I now only use "Tuniq TX-4" . That crap that is supplied with the heat sync should be thrown in the trash, it is worthless. Also the stuff from radio shack is trash as well.
Since using Tuniq TX-4, those computers do not come back for heat issues.
I will not use anything else.

If you re-seat the heat sync, then you must re-apply the thermal paste.
You must also make sure your CPU is polished mirror clean and no finger prints. You want to make sure you use just enough paste to fill the imperfections of the CPU's surface and no more. If the paste squishes out the sides of the CPU surface, you have used way too much. I have had excellent results using a drop about a quarter of the size of a pea.

Take a ook at following web site if you need to know the best method of applying thermal paste http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Thermal-Paste...
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February 25, 2014 3:38:47 AM

Dragonuave said:
Hi, so let me give you the rundown.
I recently built a new gaming computer and am super happy with it...all except for one issue: the CPU overheats!
The CPU in the build is an AMD Athlon x4 760k Richland.
Once I had built the computer and tested it for the first time, everything was perfect. The CPU worked, everything booted up correctly, and I installed my OS. I even played a few games on the CPU.
About two days later, while playing Minecraft, I noticed unnecessary lag spikes, and I went to check temperatures on the parts. Everything was running very cool, indicating it is not a circulation problem. But my CPU was running at 100 degrees Celsius.
After a bit of testing, I realized while idle the computer ran at 70 degrees Celsius. Thus, I decided to submit my first ever Tom's Hardware forum post, and someone suggested to remove the heatsink fan and reseat it.
So, after doing this the CPU temperature dropped dramatically. While idle, it now only runs at about 40 degrees Celsius.
But whenever I start doing something, whether that be play a game or even start up Google chrome, the CPU temperatures spikes as much as 30 degrees at a time. While playing Minecraft, the CPU is about 40 degrees Celsius in the menu screen, and as soon as you load up a world, it immediately spikes to 77 degrees. That's a huge jump.
So, I decided to post my second forum post, where someone suggested I should reapply the thermal paste, as I may have trapped air bubbles in the original layer when removing the heatsink fan.
So, what is your guys' opinions on the situation? I really need this computer working!


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February 25, 2014 3:42:18 AM

Ok Carefully Clean all Old Paste from the CPU, Then Carefully Apply a Button size about the size of a + terminal from a AAA battery in the center of the CPU then carefully remount You're Heatsink and cooler fan and You should see a noticeable difference
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February 25, 2014 11:21:16 AM

Dragonuave said:
Hi, so let me give you the rundown.
I recently built a new gaming computer and am super happy with it...all except for one issue: the CPU overheats!
The CPU in the build is an AMD Athlon x4 760k Richland.
Once I had built the computer and tested it for the first time, everything was perfect. The CPU worked, everything booted up correctly, and I installed my OS. I even played a few games on the CPU.
About two days later, while playing Minecraft, I noticed unnecessary lag spikes, and I went to check temperatures on the parts. Everything was running very cool, indicating it is not a circulation problem. But my CPU was running at 100 degrees Celsius.
After a bit of testing, I realized while idle the computer ran at 70 degrees Celsius. Thus, I decided to submit my first ever Tom's Hardware forum post, and someone suggested to remove the heatsink fan and reseat it.
So, after doing this the CPU temperature dropped dramatically. While idle, it now only runs at about 40 degrees Celsius.
But whenever I start doing something, whether that be play a game or even start up Google chrome, the CPU temperatures spikes as much as 30 degrees at a time. While playing Minecraft, the CPU is about 40 degrees Celsius in the menu screen, and as soon as you load up a world, it immediately spikes to 77 degrees. That's a huge jump.
So, I decided to post my second forum post, where someone suggested I should reapply the thermal paste, as I may have trapped air bubbles in the original layer when removing the heatsink fan.
So, what is your guys' opinions on the situation? I really need this computer working!


-->

CPU cooling can be tricky. - Personally - I never Rely on Stock CPU coolers & would Recommend that you look at the NOCTUA NH-L12 if you have a small case or Another high performance Air Cooler. I personally LIKE the Liquid Coolers but they require a little more work. Anyway NOCTUA has various CPU coolers that you should look at, they come with a high quality heat sink grease. - TOM - can probably recommend some other coolers - I actually found out about NOCTUA on Toms Forum. - Very Important, Don't run that CPU at 100 plus. Get a better cooling system.
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March 4, 2014 7:43:46 AM

Stock thermal paste aren't very good usually. Changed thermal paste on gtx680 got 8 degree less on the core. But the best paste overall are those made of liquid metal, the difference is huge.

Also the stock termal paste aren't particularly good. There is a fujipoly one that transports 15w/mk. An user of a r9 290x told he got vrm temps from 80 to 40 degree using this top thermal pad.
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March 4, 2014 11:32:15 PM

Hey mate, I had the same sort of problem with my AMD FX-6100. What i did was take the heatsink off the CPU and clean both the cpt and the heatsink with alcohol wipes and put a small pea size drop of Arctic MX-4 and used the heatsink to squish it out. temps dropped dramatically. When i took the heatsink off the thermal paste had gone all crumbly and wasnt dooing anything. I hope that helped.

thanks
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