Is it safe to use Arctic Silver 5 for my GPU?

[Linc_oln]

I have a 4-year old XFX AMD Radeon 7870, and over the years, I have recently noticed that it's performance has decreased a lot after a while. The fans are always at full blast under load, and the GPU temps reach up to 80-85c, which obvously isn't good. In my last post, it turned out my computer wasn't reading the temperatures right, and using a real laser based thermometer, I realized the computer reaches temps up to the same as the GPU. I am currently researching some newer graphics card, but in the mean time, I would like to help the cooling and performance of my older card. I am thinking about replacing the old paste with some new Arctic Silver 5. Is this really a good idea? (Haven't done it yet)

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Thermal paste doesn't care what it's used on.

I've used AS5 on GPUs before with no issues.

 

[Linc_oln]

The only reason why I ask is because I have read on other articles that the AS5 is conductive, and can harm the card. I really don't want a dead card, because woo-hoo Intel HD Graphics (oh god, no.)

 

[schaft]

Yes, its fine. Any thermal paste from well known brand should suffice.

 

[Martell1977]

Just use Arctic MX-4 instead, it carbon based, works great and 100% non-conductive. I've used it on several CPU's, GPU's and laptops.

 

[Linc_oln]

Welp, I'm one of those people who say "screw it" and do it. Here's to hopefully not destroying my card.

 

[schaft]

Don't worry. It won't as long as you properly apply the thermal paste. I even have heard some people even have test using toothpaste (wonder what kind of toothpaste) as thermal paste, and it actually not bad.

 

[dudio]

I've heard of people using bacon, and if you run Prime95 for 10 mins, you can eat it !