c/computer-technicians

A client called me out for skipping thermal paste cleanup and I felt dumb

Last month I was swapping a CPU on an old Dell Optiplex in Wichita and just slapped the new cooler on without cleaning the old paste. The client saw me do it and said 'aren't you supposed to clean that off first?' and I had to admit I was being lazy. Has anyone else had a customer catch them skipping a step and make you rethink your habits?

1 comments

the_derek•4d ago

Just found out thermal paste can go bad even if the tube is sealed

I was diagnosing a random Dell OptiPlex at a small office in Tulsa last month. CPU was hitting 95c at idle. Everything looked fine, fans spinning, heatsink on tight. I grabbed a tube of Arctic Silver I had in my bag for maybe 2 years, never opened. Put it on, temps dropped to 45c. But after a week, they spiked back up. I swapped with a brand new tube from a different batch and it's been stable since. Never knew the stuff could separate or dry out just sitting in the package. Has anyone else run into this with older paste?

1 comments

ruby_lane•4d ago

Debate: buying a $600 Fluke multimeter vs. a $40 amazon special

So I dropped $600 on a Fluke 87V last month after my old cheap meter gave me a weird reading on a 3 phase motor. Thing is, my coworker swears by his $40 amazon one and says he's never had issues. I feel like the Fluke is way more accurate and built tough, but that price tag stings. Anyone else go back and forth on this? Which side are you on?

c/computer-technicians

A client called me out for skipping thermal paste cleanup and I felt dumb

Just found out thermal paste can go bad even if the tube is sealed

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