Does the CPU's thermal paste loose effectiveness as time goes on?

[dvdchance]

I have a 2011 base Mini, and it seems that the units temp goes up and down much more rapidly now then it used to. If anything stresses the CPU it will hit 190F real quick.

Does the CPU come with any thermal paste or a heatsink that might get less effective over time? Is it worth it to reapply some new paste?

 

[bundy325]

you can try to see if it software related that is causing the heat issues maybe there is something pushing the cpu pretty hard or you can apply some new artic silver 5 thermal paste i would try the first suggestion before opening the mini as its not really to old doubt it would need new thermal paste
same thing happen to my MBP i was about to open her up but i ended up reinstalling os x maverick and it worked great after that

 

[paulrbeers]

I have a 2011 base Mini, and it seems that the units temp goes up and down much more rapidly now then it used to. If anything stresses the CPU it will hit 190F real quick.

Does the CPU come with any thermal paste or a heatsink that might get less effective over time? Is it worth it to reapply some new paste?

Could also be dust clogging up the cooling system. That's more likely than the thermal paste causing problems.

 

[dvdchance]

Could also be dust clogging up the cooling system. That's more likely than the thermal paste causing problems.

I took the lid off the bottom and blew out any dust. Is there more I can do to clean it out?

 

[bundy325]

not really blast it as much as you can
or try installing smcfan control

 

[dvdchance]

not really blast it as much as you can
or try installing smcfan control

Thanks I have the iStats app which I use to control the fan speed. Thats how I've been noticing the frequent spikes in temp when I'm taxing the CPU.

I still have Lion on the machine, maybe this is as good a reason as any to upgrade to Mavericks. Honestly the only thing holding me back from upgrading is I'm nervous about how Plex plays with Mavericks. I know there were issues when it first came out but haven't been following it closely since.

 

[famous600]

Thanks I have the iStats app which I use to control the fan speed. Thats how I've been noticing the frequent spikes in temp when I'm taxing the CPU.

I still have Lion on the machine, maybe this is as good a reason as any to upgrade to Mavericks. Honestly the only thing holding me back from upgrading is I'm nervous about how Plex plays with Mavericks. I know there were issues when it first came out but haven't been following it closely since.

I am an avid plex user and running Mavericks. Zero issues that I can report. Btw I don't use the plex media player, only the server

 

[dvdchance]

I am an avid plex user and running Mavericks. Zero issues that I can report. Btw I don't use the plex media player, only the server

Thanks. I took the plunge yesterday and upgraded to Mavericks. So far all is well. It hung up a bit at the Completing installation screen but I powered down and restarted and it was fine.

And both Plex server and media player do indeed run fine.

 

[product26]

regarding thermal paste... properly applied high quality thermal paste should not need to be reapplied. however.... too much low quality paste is usually applied at the factory and it will actually insulate more than fill the microscopic gaps in the surfaces as it is supposed to do.

also, the person that made this photo for the apple service manual has no idea what they are doing...

 

[Cape Dave]

"Does the CPU's thermal paste loose effectiveness as time goes on?"

Only when the chewing gum loses its flavor on the bedpost overnight.



I could not resist.

 

[IllIllIll]

also, the person that made this photo for the apple service manual has no idea what they are doing...
Image

Yikes! That belongs in a manual for "what not to do"

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

Could also be dust clogging up the cooling system. That's more likely than the thermal paste causing problems.

I agree 100 %. I recommend that people clean the fans every 6 months.

----------

I could not resist.

I know.

 

[fat jez]

also, the person that made this photo for the apple service manual has no idea what they are doing...
Image

Good grief! How much is he using????? Paper thin across the processor for crying out loud, or a blob half the size of a grain of rice in the middle and spread by the heatsink pressure, not something the size of a hazelnut.

 

[Cape Dave]

Good grief! How much is he using????? Paper thin for across the process for crying out loud, or a blob half the size of a grain of rice in the middle and spread by the heatsink pressure, not something the size of a hazelnut.

That photo is horrifying.