I guess if you are spending a lot on the computer 75 bucks for the top tier paste isn't much. Curious what people think the sweet spot is for paying versus performance gain.

ahsany
So guys, I've never changed any thermal paste or anything for my CPU, its been 6 years I think. when do i change it ?

I would suggest right away but if you haven't noticed any adverse temps, you could let it go for a while longer.

If you know what thermal paste/pad was originally used, you can look it up and see it's effective life to gauge when to start thinking of reapplying new thermal paste.

ahsany
So guys, I've never changed any thermal paste or anything for my CPU, its been 6 years I think. when do i change it ?

 
I will spare you a signature response because I'm to lame to type a thoughtful response.

Well, that's a deep subject. 1st decide what type of enthusiast you are. Hardcore or Status quo? So, what does that imply?
The Hardcore enthusiast:

• will be overclocking tweaking and tuning their CPU, GPU or both to eek out the very most performance gain they can get.
• will likely water cool or at least buy the very best air cooler and best airflow case.
• will take risk to reach the desired results

 
The Status quo enthusiast,

• will be satisfied with stock performance.  
• will not takes risk that could affect warranty or jeopardize longevity 
• will be satisfied with stock cooling.

Bottom line it's Risky vs Safe
The Hardcore enthusiast will immediately change TIM knowing that stock is inferior but, the risk is, for example, a screw drive slipping while removing stock cooler destroying a trace on the circuit board bricking the product. Does that happen often? No.
 
Bottom, Bottom Line, If you can't afford to replace it don't take risk at least until warranties have expired, which is a good point to begin you journey being a hardcore enthusiast. Meaning, it's better to practice on old stuff before buying something new to begin your adventure. Now is a good time for you to learn how to remove and replace heat sinks and replace TIM and for that matter learning how to over clock and get the most out of what you've got.
 
Should you choose to be a Hardcore Enthusiast
 
Be pragmatic:
Watch videos, read articles on overclocking and cooling, and be an active forum groupie.
Understand the difference between the hardware and software side of overclocking.
Keep extensive notes
Document your journey on a per product basis.
Benchmark and log environment (temps voltages) at stock settings
Benchmark and log environment (temps voltages) at overclock settings
Compare results before and after
Is it worth it? That's for you to decide.
 

That is a great set up

I think for the majority, any of the top 10 will be more than sufficient. I myself have been using artic silver and mx-4 for over a decade.

I'll have to read the list, but usually it's 3 degrees difference between the top, and average pastes.  Same for LM which is better, but can be a PITA. You can also get up to 3 degrees from lapping both IHS, and/or your cooler if done properly.  That same 3 degree margin seems to applies to coolers in the same market segment.  The D15, Assassin, Macho, and other giant top tier coolers are usually within 3 degrees of each other once nominalized for noise. 
 
Properly mounting your cooler, using enough paste, is more important than the paste type in general. 
 
The biggest gains come from undervolting (free), and depending on the proc, doing a delid (too much work for most folks).  After market copper heat spreader was good for around 3 degrees, just like lapping your heat spreader. 

Glad to see the artic MX-4 up there. Recently did my first build in a long time and never really went outside the preinstalled stuff before so glad I picked well.

 
I used the Grizzly Kryonaut on my most recent build - performs well, but unpleasant to work with, seems to want to stick to everything except what I wanted it to stick to, lol. I've ordered some of the new MX-5 to try on my next build. I ordered direct from Arctic storefront, there's way too many 3rd party counterfeits out there now.
 
 

Currently using Thermal Grizzly after my tube of Noctua paste ran out. Looks like I made the right choice! 

theberg13
I guess if you are spending a lot on the computer 75 bucks for the top tier paste isn't much. Curious what people think the sweet spot is for paying versus performance gain.

I'd say it's pretty situational. Unless you are trying to be a baller and buy the best everything, i'd say just use what ever paste you already have (unless it's really junky stuff) but i don't really think it's worth running out and getting new paste if it's only going to make a ~2 degree difference. Unless you are already running close to thermal limit... but even then, you could argue there's almost certainly other things you could do that will make a bigger difference to your thermals than paste. 

I don't think I've used any of those

I've always used the stock thermal paste that comes with the cpu. If I'm not overclocking or anything, I don't think I will need the extra edge from these awesome thermal pastes...

I still love my MX-4 over everything else and might try MX-5.