The general recommendation for changing thermal paste is about every 1 to 3 years. Several factors influence this timeframe, including the quality of the thermal paste, how heavily the computer is used, and the operating temperatures:
- For typical users with good quality thermal paste, replacing it every 1 to 2 years is a good rule of thumb.
- Heavy use, such as gaming or video editing, or lower quality paste might require replacement more frequently, even every few months.
- High CPU/GPU temperatures, drying, cracking, or crusty appearance of the paste are signs it should be replaced regardless of time.
- If the computer is overheating, performance is declining, or fans become unusually noisy, it may also be time to change the paste.
In some cases, users have found that thermal paste can last up to 5 years or more, but replacing it around every 2 to 3 years is widely considered ideal to maintain optimal cooling performance and system stability. In sum, monitor your CPU/GPU temperatures and paste condition along with following the general 1 to 3-year guideline for thermal paste replacement to keep your system running smoothly and cool.