[SOLVED] Compound lifespan

[bdrmachine]

I have a question about thermal paste / liquid metal life span. I have an AMD thread ripper CPU and a water block that cools both the CPU and motherboard components. As such it is more difficult to remove/reinstall than a typical CPU-only block. So with that said, how long do these heat transfer compounds last? does liquid metal have a shorter lifespan?

 

[kerberos_20]

liquid metal is not compatible with aluminium, u can use copper or nickel only
and with copper, LM contains gallium which will copper slowly absorb and LM will eventually dry out, it should hold few years before that happens
nickel is best option, it will hold for much longer than copper (shoould easily surpass your cpu or water loop lifespan)
so look for nickel if u want long lifespan, something like this https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-velocity-str4-d-rgb-nickel-plexi
cpu heatspreader is nickel aswell
nickel loops comes with some big warnings, see ekwb product description

conventional thermal paste like MX4 has ~8year lifespan

 

[rubix_1011]

Nickel is fine for use in normal watercooling loops.

I think you are meaning 'stay away from aluminum'? Because that one actually can cause you problems with galvanic corrosion in a loop with nickel, copper and brass.