CPUs and GPUs are the two most essential parts of any PC because they handle all core operations.
For this reason, they are the most heat-generating parts in your rig.
And we apply thermal paste to keep their temperature at bay.
However, the paste becomes less effective over time and causes GPU overheating issues.
Thats why you must change the thermal paste now and then.
When Should You Change Thermal Paste on Your Graphics Card?
You should change your GPUs thermal pasteevery 2-3 years.
Over time, the thermal paste can dry out and lose its heat-transferring capabilities.
That can increase your GPU temperature and reduce your PCs overall performance.
In that situation, changing the thermal paste is crucial.
Excess thermal paste that fell over from the chip works like acid water.
If that connects with the CPU pins or GPU connector, it can damage your MOBO permanently.
When that happens, immediatelyclean that thermal paste from your motherboard.
You must seek professional help to complete the tasks if you need help to do that.
Is It Worth Replacing Your GPUs Thermal Paste/Pads?
Yes, because changing thermal paste maintains your GPU temperature and shelf life.
Thermal paste transfers heat from the GPU to the cooler but cant do that properly when it dries out.
In that situation, changing the paste improves your GPU performance.
Replacing the thermal paste improves your graphics cards cooling efficiency.
And you get lower temperature readings and better performance from your graphics card.
Also, you might insert new fans in your PC case to reduce heat.
However, you mustinsert fans correctly in the caseandselect the correct directions for the fans.
Lower heat also helps to increase the lifespan of your graphics processing unit and reduce GPU stress.
However, replacing the thermal paste wont significantly affect performance if your graphics card is outdated.
In this case, you should invest in a newer graphics card with better performance and cooler.
How Much Thermal Paste Should You Apply on the GPU?
There isnt any one-amount-fits-all answer to this question because the past amount depends on the chip size.
Like if your GPU has a 3:3 Cm chip, you should use 0.2ml paste.
However, over-applying thermal paste reduces its efficiency.
So ensure to avoid that.
But in my ten-plus years of PC experience, I didnt feel any difference in performance.
But you may use carbon-based thermal compounds to get the best thermal performance.
Which One is Better: Thermal Pads or Thermal Paste?
Many people suggest using Thermal Pads as a cleaner alternative to Thermal paste.
However, choosing between thermal pads and paste depends on your needs and preferences.
Both components have specific merits and demerits.
I will show you some differences between thermal pads and paste in this section.
It will help you to understand the user base for both components.
Also, using improper substances as your GPU cooling agent can damage your hardware permanently.
So you must only use a high-quality thermal paste designed for the computer to ensure optimal performance and safety.
However, you must remember that applying it to your GPU is a delicate process.
When you dont do it currently, it can harm your GPU.
Thats why you must seek professional help If youre uncomfortable with performing this task yourself.
This section will guide you to reapply thermal paste in your GPU.
It will help you to execute the work easily.
However, you must handle your GPU carefully and seek professional help if unsure.
FAQs
How long does thermal paste last on a mining GPU?
Usually, the thermal paste on a mining GPU lasts not more than 4 years.
But If you use low or mid-quality paste, it wont survive that long.
Does GPU thermal paste go bad?
Yes, your thermal paste goes bad after the expiry date.
However, the expiration date is very long, like 2 to 5+ years.
Is putting too much thermal paste bad for your GPU?
If you put too much paste on your GPU, it cant transfer the heat to the heatsink properly.
Also, excess thermal paste that fell over from the chip works like acid water.
Conclusion
The Graphics Processing Unit is vital in processing images, videos, and games.
So you should reapply your GPUs thermal paste every 2-3 years.
After reading, Im sure youve got your answer.
Comment if you have any other questions about GPU.
