Should I re-apply my thermal paste?

[urbanrider]

Parts:
-Arctic Silver 5
-i7 3770k
-COOLER MASTER RR-H612

So i just finished my first major build last week and after doing some research applied the thermal paste as a dot in the middle and spread it around with an old credit card.
Now after doing a little more research I see that the Arctic Silver site recommends a Vertical Line for the i7 3rd gen cores.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_application_method.html#

Does it really matter that much? My CPU seems to idle around 33 C and Ive seen it go up to 50 C under load.
Also Arctic Silver says 200hrs of break in time, as long as the computer is turned off from time to time (which mine isn't). Should I make an effort to leave my computer off some nights?

thanks

 

[FinneousPJ]

No, your temps seem fine.

 

[urbanrider]

should I be turning off my computer to help with break in? or does that not really matter?

 

[urbanrider]

Best answer selected by urbanrider.

 

[FinneousPJ]

No that shouldn't matter as long as it goes through (normal) thermal cycles like gaming and idling.

 

[urbanrider]

No that shouldn't matter as long as it goes through (normal) thermal cycles like gaming and idling.

thanks now I know for next time.

Also does the thermal paste last for ever? Or does it need to be replaced periodically?

 

[FinneousPJ]

No it'll deteriorate over time. I'd say a year or two maximum.