Discussion:
Thermal Paste Substitute
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RJH
2024-10-15 12:45:44 UTC
Permalink
I'm about to swap out a CPU and don't have any thermal paste to hand.

Could anyone recommend a substitute?

I've got various things knocking about (um, silicone electrical jointing
compound, vaseline for example) - I'm not sure what if any component is
critical in the proprietary stuff on sale. If not I suppose I'll just have to
stump up the fiver . . .
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK
Jaimie Vandenbergh
2024-10-15 13:02:06 UTC
Permalink
Post by RJH
I'm about to swap out a CPU and don't have any thermal paste to hand.
Could anyone recommend a substitute?
I've got various things knocking about (um, silicone electrical jointing
compound, vaseline for example) - I'm not sure what if any component is
critical in the proprietary stuff on sale. If not I suppose I'll just have to
stump up the fiver . . .
Pay the fiver. You can't fuck with thermal joints, you need long-term
material stability.

Cheers - Jaimie
--
"The more wrong a guy gets, the louder he yells at the person
trying to help him. Which, inevitably, makes him even
wronger. But less helped."
-- Merlin Mann
Theo
2024-10-15 13:27:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jaimie Vandenbergh
Post by RJH
I'm about to swap out a CPU and don't have any thermal paste to hand.
Could anyone recommend a substitute?
I've got various things knocking about (um, silicone electrical jointing
compound, vaseline for example) - I'm not sure what if any component is
critical in the proprietary stuff on sale. If not I suppose I'll just have to
stump up the fiver . . .
Pay the fiver. You can't fuck with thermal joints, you need long-term
material stability.
Yep. If you use toothpaste or whatever you may find:

a) it dries out after some time and stops being thermally conductive, and/or
b) it leaks out and turns out to be corrosive/conductive and trashes your
mobo, and/or
c) it sets like glue and it's impossible to clean off when do you want to
replace it with something better

I suppose you might get away with sundry crimes if you just need it to work today
and will clean it up and replace it with proper stuff tomorrow, but I
wouldn't leave it like that long term. It's not worth risking a fancy PC
for a few quid of paste.

Theo
RJH
2024-10-15 14:31:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Theo
Post by Jaimie Vandenbergh
Post by RJH
I'm about to swap out a CPU and don't have any thermal paste to hand.
Could anyone recommend a substitute?
I've got various things knocking about (um, silicone electrical jointing
compound, vaseline for example) - I'm not sure what if any component is
critical in the proprietary stuff on sale. If not I suppose I'll just have to
stump up the fiver . . .
Pay the fiver. You can't fuck with thermal joints, you need long-term
material stability.
a) it dries out after some time and stops being thermally conductive, and/or
b) it leaks out and turns out to be corrosive/conductive and trashes your
mobo, and/or
c) it sets like glue and it's impossible to clean off when do you want to
replace it with something better
I suppose you might get away with sundry crimes if you just need it to work today
and will clean it up and replace it with proper stuff tomorrow, but I
wouldn't leave it like that long term. It's not worth risking a fancy PC
for a few quid of paste.
Thanks both, paste ordered!
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK
Woozy Song
2024-10-16 11:21:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by Theo
Post by Jaimie Vandenbergh
Post by RJH
I'm about to swap out a CPU and don't have any thermal paste to hand.
Could anyone recommend a substitute?
I've got various things knocking about (um, silicone electrical jointing
compound, vaseline for example) - I'm not sure what if any component is
critical in the proprietary stuff on sale. If not I suppose I'll just have to
stump up the fiver . . .
Pay the fiver. You can't fuck with thermal joints, you need long-term
material stability.
a) it dries out after some time and stops being thermally conductive, and/or
b) it leaks out and turns out to be corrosive/conductive and trashes your
mobo, and/or
c) it sets like glue and it's impossible to clean off when do you want to
replace it with something better
I suppose you might get away with sundry crimes if you just need it to work today
and will clean it up and replace it with proper stuff tomorrow, but I
wouldn't leave it like that long term. It's not worth risking a fancy PC
for a few quid of paste.
Theo
I used Unick heat sink paste (from electronics suppliers rather than
computer shops). It has lasted on old systems (like Ivy Bridge) still
running.

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