Time to reapply TIM (cpu/gpu)? :: Source Dedicated Server (Linux)

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Druology 12 Jul, 2020 @ 8:00pm

Time to reapply TIM (cpu/gpu)?

Hello, this month marks the 5th year of my rig and I'm torn if I should replace my factory TIM (Thermal paste)

i5 4690 (non K) - using stock intel cooler and factory TIM
Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming - same factory TIM

My thermals are as follows:

Ambient room temp 24-25C
CPU idle 38-40C
GPU idle 34-35C

Monster Hunter World - Wondering around Ancient Forest:

CPU @ 80%-90% usage - 70-74C
GPU @100% usage consistent - 69-73C

Assassins Creed Origins - DLC Map first area (DLC Map) this is the best place I can get a high GPU usage but CPU usage is 100% on almost all area:

CPU @100% usage consistent - 73-75C
GPU @ 95-98% usage - 69-71C

I believe anything below 80C for CPU/GPU is perfectly safe which makes me think to leave the thermal paste alone for now.

I regularly clean my PC as well (weekly) using electric duster and fans as much as I can but I haven't really did a complete teardown to clean each parts (example: Disassemble GPU, Mobo etc).

I ordered some Arctic MX 4 online but should I leave it as it is for now? My reasoning of don't fix what ain't broke is what is keeping me.

Thanks,

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Originally posted by Metal_Warrior:

I never replace the paste, it just isn't going to help. Don't let the thermals fool you - you're stressing the rig a lot more nowadays than you did back then, so it gets warmer.

Everything below 90°C is OK for a CPU, and for a GeForce there was a time when 130°C was a normal temperature, I don't think that has changed much.

IF you want to change something - change the CPU cooler. The Intel standard stuff is hardly good, I'm always going for Alpenföhn Brocken, keeps the CPU way below 50°C.

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