Thermal Compound/Prime95 Question

[box o rocks]

If I apply Arctic Silver 5 between my clean CPU and HS/F, how long do I need to let it 'age' before I can OC and run stress tests using Prime95? I've read that AS5 require a long break-in period of rising and falling temps before it is at its best.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Supposedly, the curing time is "up to" 200 hours, but there will only be maybe a 1-3C difference. Personally, I've only ever seen a 1-2C difference in my own experience. I'd say you're free to stress test all you want, and actually stress testing can be a good thing, since that takes the temps up enough to allow the AS5 to go through temp cycles (may speed up curing time).

 

[box o rocks]

Good point about the stress testing helping the AS5 go thru temp cycles. I hadn't thought about that. OK. Thanks.

 

[box o rocks]

Best answer selected by box o rocks.