Does thermal compound go bad?

[Nate-X]

I've had several tubes of various compounds.. most of which are over 2 years old. I have Arctic Silver 3, Arctic Silver 5, Shin Etsu G751 & X23.. do these go bad if they are just sitting?

[MONKEYMAN]

If the caps are still on the tubes and no seperation has occured in the compound then they should be fine.

[Gizmo]

As MM hints at, if compounds sit around a while, the carrier (usually an oil of some kind like silicone oil or mineral oil) will either separate or evaporate (if the compound is exposed to the air). If simple separation is all that has occurred and it is in a squeezable tube, you can usually mix it back together just by working the tube around with the cap still on. If it has dried out, though, you are SOL.

[Nate-X]

Ah ok... I don't see any separation.. and only keep the caps off long enough to apply =).

[Daniel ~]

I use Arctic Sliver in a syringe, I always pump the mix back and forth a dozen times, being careful not to push it out. THEN I discard anything that doesn't look right at the very tip, then use it.":O}

[qwikride]

As cheap as the stuff is I all ways seem to buy new if it's a over a year old and has been opened. why chance it.

[Nate-X]

Originally Posted by qwikride

As cheap as the stuff is I all ways seem to buy new if it's a over a year old and has been opened. why chance it.

Bah AS5 is like $6.00 excluding shipping! I'm too poor for that hehe.

[Gizmo]

That's the reason you're overclocking to start with, right? 'Cause you can't afford something better?

[Daniel ~]

Well I know I have a near lifetime supply! ":O}

[cloasters]

Some kinds of thermal glop that's between heatsinks and procs do go dry and cakey/powdery given enough time. I dunno how reliable AS is over the years, I've still got the original AS in my B box. Maybe I ought to fire up that neglected puppy. Nah, it's hella noisy.

[Nate-X]

Exactly!

Originally Posted by gizmo

That's the reason you're overclocking to start with, right? 'Cause you can't afford something better?

[Daniel ~]

I have a Epox 8K5A that hasn't increased in temps nor been touched, running 24/7 (wife's) that is at lest 3 years old... so who knows to outer limits?