[mlp]

How often do you have to reapply Arctic Cooling MX-4? I know most TIM's are 6mo - 2 yrs but I remember reading something somewhere that it lasts 8 years? Is that true?

I'd take a few degrees higher in temp for that kind of convenience.

Ty.

 

[losttsol]

I wouldn't touch it if you know you've got a good application.

 

[hermitmaster]

I've been rocking it for well over a year on my Athlon x4 rig. No problems to report. One of the best TIMs I've used too. No cure time and non-conductive.

 

[Princess Garnet]

If temperatures aren't a problem, I'd say it's fine.

 

[jhaze84]

Most likely you will get sick of your current CPU/heatsink setup and change something necessitating a new TIM application, long before the TIM wears out.

I remember about 2009 I disassembled an ancient Soyo motherboard and Athlon XP 2000+ cpu that I had built circa 2002. After that period of 7 years, the TIM was still had a thick paste-like consistency. It wasn't dried out or flaking off or anything like that.

 

[crashdummy35]

If it was a good application, the things I read said ~ 8 Years....

In OCN time that's about 6 months: next time you do a thorough cleaning or upgrade the heat sink.

 

[DirectOverkill]

Once you properly apply, no need to worry.
But if you pull off cooler, then a good cleaning and a new fresh layer is needed.