How Often To Replace Thermal Paste On Gpu

When was the last time you checked how often your GPU’s thermal paste needed to be replaced? You may be wondering the same thing if you are a professional video editor, an extreme PC player, or both. Fortunately, we’re going to have a lengthy conversation on this fascinating issue right now.

Also, after reading this guide, you will know if your GPU’s thermal paste has to be replaced.

What Is Thermal Paste & What Does it Do?

To improve the rate at which heat is removed from your central processing unit (CPU) or graphics processing unit (GPU), you will need to apply a thermal interface material known as thermal paste, which is also referred to as thermal grease. In most cases, the thermal paste is put in the space between the heat source (the heat spreader on the CPU or GPU) and the heat sink, which is the fan or the cooler.

There is a widespread misunderstanding that central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) use thermal paste as a cooling agent. However, this is not the reason why we utilize thermal paste. Let’s elaborate. There are two distinct materials used for the top of the central processing unit (CPU) heat spreader and the heat sink. In addition, each of these surfaces are riddled with minuscule cracks and holes, sometimes known as pores. As a result, if you install a CPU without first applying thermal paste, the heat that is generated by the CPU will not be transferred to the heat sink in an even manner since there are a lot of gaps.

Because it will allow for more efficient heat transfer if the heat sink and the heat spreader are in complete contact with one another. The thermal paste is then put into action at this point in the process. When you apply the thermal paste before installing the CPU fan or heat sink, you are allowing the thermal paste to fill up all those microscopic spaces equally. This is because installing the fan or heat sink first prevents the thermal paste from being able to do its job. And in this manner, the heat from the CPU or GPU will be transferred to the heat sink in a more effective manner.

How Often Should You Reapply Thermal Paste On Your GPU?

Now, when it comes to applying the thermal paste on a GPU, there is not a simple answer to this question. It is dependent on a variety of different aspects. On the other hand, in most cases, you will not be required to use thermal paste on your GPU in any way. Because the majority of the thermal paste that is pre-applied to a GPU has a lifespan of up to 5 years. There are even some that can persist for up to ten years. Therefore, it is possible that you may need to upgrade to a new GPU within the next 5 years.

Even so, there are some scenarios in which you might want to consider reapplying thermal paste to your GPU after it has been in use for a few years. Let’s have a look and see what those are…

Environment

It is not necessary for you to reapply thermal paste to the GPU as long as you use your personal computer in an area that is free of dust and other contaminants and has adequate ventilation. However, if you are in a dusty location, then the environment will have an effect on your entire build. In this scenario, it is possible that you will notice that your GPU is overheating on occasion. If this is the case, it is recommended that you apply thermal paste once every few years.

It is possible that you will need to reapply thermal paste to the GPU or graphics card once every year if the atmosphere around your computer is warmer than that or if you just live in a place with a higher average temperature. However, based on the knowledge and experience that we have gained, we are able to state that if you live in a dusty area, it is best to clean your system on a frequent basis. Because of this, you won’t again have to worry about applying thermal paste to your GPU again.

Your PC Case & Dust Filters

Another significant factor that should be taken into consideration is the case or chassis that is currently being utilized by your system. The vast majority of respectable computer cases come equipped with dust filers. In addition to this, cases of superior quality typically have a number of fans to help cool the entire system.

On the other hand, there are a lot of cases on the market that don’t come with any dust filters and simply have a handful of fans. In this scenario, you can have problems with the graphics processing unit (GPU) getting too hot. Additionally, if this is the case, you will likely need to reapply the thermal paste on an annual basis.

Condition of GPU

Utilization of a brand-spanking-new GPU is not required in any way. You could save money by purchasing a GPU that has been previously owned or one that has been refurbished. However, a previously owned GPU might not be able to deliver the same level of performance as a brand new one. It’s possible that the GPU will give you trouble in this area. If the previous owner of the GPU has not already applied thermal paste, you should do so in order to obtain the most performance out of the graphics processing unit (GPU).

GPU Manufacturers

There are a large number of companies located all over the world that produce GPUs, also known as Graphics Processing Units. NVIDIA and AMD are currently two of the greatest of these options available to you. In addition to this, there are several Chinese companies that are imitations of well-known names that sell graphics processing units (GPUs) at prices that are lower than those of the original versions. Therefore, it is possible that you will feel the want to get one of those. Having said that, there is a possibility that you will receive a GPU of low quality.

We are able to inform you that nearly all of AMD’s and NVIDIA’s recently introduced GPUs come with high-performance thermal paste already applied to them. This is the case with both companies. In addition, depending on the longevity of the GPU, you might not even have to reapply the thermal paste at all. On the other hand, if you are using GPUs that are not a well-known brand, you may need to apply thermal paste once or twice a year.

Disassembling the GPU

Generally, you will not need to take apart your GPU. Because if there are any issues with the GPU, you are better off sending it to the warranty. But there comes a time you might need to disassemble the GPU to do quick troubleshooting, given that you know what you are doing. In that circumstance, you will need to reapply thermal paste anytime you remove the heat sink of the GPU.

Quality of the Thermal Paste

If you have bought a brand new GPU from a reputed brand, you are safe. Because all of the GPUs from top-tier brands come with high-quality thermal paste pre-applied to the GPU. By contrast, there are some GPUs of low quality that comes with cheap thermal paste. And, this type of thermal paste will dry out quickly. So you might have to reapply thermal paste on your GPU after 2 to 3 years.

Having Issues with Your GPU:

If you suddenly realize that your GPU is not performing as well as it usually does, this could be the cause. If so, this may be a sign that you need to reapply thermal paste at some point in the near future. If you notice that your personal computer freezes up while you are playing video games or that the fans on your GPU spin quickly and loudly whenever you turn on your personal computer, this could be an indication that you will need to apply thermal paste on the GPU in order to achieve better results.

GPU Usage:

The performance of your GPU will also depend on the usage. If you perform GPU intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, image editing, and rendering videos, etc. then your GPU will overheat more often than not.

And, when you notice that your GPU is overheating on a regular basis, then you should check the thermal paste on the GPU. It might be a clear indication that you need to reapply thermal paste. Plus, if you use your PC for gaming frequently, you might have to apply thermal paste on the GPU once after 3 to 4 years.

How to Apply Thermal Paste Properly on GPU:

If you have applied thermal paste on a CPU, it is almost similar to that. In this instance, you will need to disassemble the GPU at first. So, let’s share a brief tutorial here.

Things You Will Require:

Microfiber or cotton swab
Thermal Paste
Isopropyl Alcohol
Screwdriver

Steps to Follow:

First of all, use the screwdriver to unscrew all the screws under/top of the GPU. And, keep them in a safe place
Next, take apart the GPU carefully. Also, make sure that you are handling the fan connector with care
Now, you will see the GPU heat spreader and the GPU heat sink base. At this moment, you have to clean the previously applied thermal paste from the GPU and the heat sink using the microfiber cloth, cotton swab, and Isopropyl Alcohol
Once the cleaning and drying process is complete, you can apply the new thermal paste to the GPU
To be noted, simply apply a pea-sized or a dot sized thermal paste and there is no need to spread it yourself manually. When you will put the GPU heat sink back in place, it will automatically be spread over the GPU heat spreader evenly
Finally, re-assemble the GPU cover and tighten all the screws
And, mount the GPU to your motherboard and turn on your PC to check if everything is OK

The Best Quality Thermal Pastes:

At the moment, you know when and how to apply thermal paste on your GPU or Video card. But do you know which thermal paste to use for the best result? No worries! In this section, we will introduce you to several thermal paste brands for GPUs that are well known for high-end performance. Here we go…

ARCTIC MX-4 2019 Edition:

The ‘Arctic’ is recognized as one of the best suppliers of thermal paste worldwide. The ARCTIC MX-4 2019 Edition is the latest addition to their thermal paste collection. It is suitable for both CPUs and GPUs. This is a Carbon-based thermal compound. And it is available on various sizes ranging from 2 gm. to 45 gm. The price is also very reasonable for a high-performance thermal paste.

Arctic Silver 5 AS5-3.5G Thermal Paste:

This is another thermal paste compound from ARCTIC. It is made with 99.9% pure silver that is why it is perfect for dissipating heat from any heat sinks, CPU/GPU heat spreader or water cooling solutions. As a result, it can lower your CPU or GPU temperature up to 3 to 12 degrees Celsius even under full load.

YEECHUN Heatsink Compound Cooling Paste:

If you are looking for a cheap and quality thermal paste, then you can try the YEECHUN Thermal Paste. This is also another polysynthetic silver–based thermal compound. In this package, you will get 10 syringes each of which contains 1.5 gm. of thermal paste. So, it will be enough for the lifetime of your CPU and GPU.

Before We Go—Frequency of Applying Thermal Paste on GPU:

As a result, it should be clear to you that the question does not have a definitive answer. If you’ve got a graphics processing unit (GPU) from a reputable company, you should never have to worry about applying thermal paste to it in your whole life.

On the other hand, depending on the state of the GPU, the environment, the quality of the thermal paste, and the case that your computer is housed in, among other factors, you could need to replace the thermal compound grease on your graphics card once a year, once every two years, etc.

In addition, once you become aware of any overheating issues pertaining to your GPU, you can, of course, reapply thermal paste in an effort to find a solution to the problem.

Have you already reapply thermal paste to your graphics processing unit (GPU)? If that is the case, how did it pass muster? You are more than welcome to discuss your experience with us in the comments section that follows.

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