H100 Cooler - Thermal Paste Reapplication?

[Silverstreak]

Hey guys (including Ram Guy),

 

I purchased a new Corsair H100i for my 2nd PC. It replaces an H100 (purchased June 2012) which will be going back to my local dealer for a warranty replacement. It has the same pump noise, much like a HDD, that has plagued this particular model since it was introduced.

 

So, when I removed the pump/cooling block from the CPU (Ci7 3930K) I noticed that the thermal paste was dry - powdery and caked. There were pieces of TIM falling off the CPU heat-spreader.

 

This is very unlike the normal thermal paste that I use (Arctic Silver 5) which retains its physical characteristics for years. I am not thrilled with the OEM paste though it worked pretty well over the past year.

 

So here's my question - does the TIM used in Corsair's H100/H80 series or H100i/H80i series of CPU coolers require a fresh application every 12 months or so?

[Bryman]

no but EVERY time you take the cpu cooler off of the processor you need to put on new thermal paste

 

the stock thermal paste is supposed to be dryish when you take it off thats normal all its doing is filling the air gaps...it doesnt need to be wet

[Silverstreak]

no but EVERY time you take the cpu cooler off of the processor you need to put on new thermal paste

 

the stock thermal paste is supposed to be dryish when you take it off thats normal all its doing is filling the air gaps...it doesnt need to be wet

 

Thanks! I generally clean off OEM paste and apply AS5. This was prior to shifting to Corsair's H100/H100i coolers.

 

I was a bit surprised at the dried & caked appearance. This is so unlike AS5 which retains its oily/wet characteristics for years. Guess times have changed. :)