The Invisible Enemy

The Invisible Enemy

I’m sure you’re through with spring cleaning as the summer is nearing around the corner, however there’s one more thing than should get some special attention. Your PC, when is the last time you opened your computer and cleaned out those dust bunnies? Been a while? It’s recommended that you clean out your computer every 6 months and more often if your computer is kept in dusty environments. But there’s one common thing that is almost always overlooked, that’s your thermal grease or thermal paste. If you don’t know what I am talking about, the chances are pretty high that your computer needs some attention in this area.

What is thermal grease/paste and why is it important to change it?
Thermal Grease is grease that contains heat conductive metals and materials that transfers heat from your processor to your heat sink and/or fan. The main difference between thermal grease and thermal paste is that thermal paste is generally cheaper and used for factory installed processors. The processor is the hottest part in your computer, and can reach up to 200F or higher! Over time the thermal grease will dry out and shrink, decreasing heat displacement causing your processor to overheat and degrade. As you know, heat expands metal, and can actually short out parts of the processor, causing instability and unexpected shutdowns. It is recommended that you change your thermal grease every 24-36 months, depending on the quality of the thermal paste. Generally factory installed paste/grease usually lasts 18-24 months, but it can never hurt to replace it with a higher quality grease, such as Artic Silver 5. You can consult your local computer repair shop to perform the service for you; one here in Houston, called Digital Crisis, 281-500-1213, or you can do it yourself.