Serious question: Has anyone noticed a big difference in Xbox 360 repairs after using thermal paste from 2010 vs new stuff?

I just wrapped up fixing a red ring of death on an old 360 I got from a garage sale for $20. I used some Arctic Silver I've had sitting around since 2012 because I didn't want to spend on new paste, and the temps are running about 5 degrees higher than my buddy's same fix with fresh paste. Is it just my bad application, or does that old paste really degrade that much? I'm debating if I should crack it open again and swap it out, because it's working fine but I don't want it to tank in 6 months. What's your experience with older thermal compound holding up?

2 comments

2 Comments

coleman.jade1mo ago

Wait, you had Arctic Silver sitting around since 2012 and it still worked at all? That stuff separates like crazy after a few years, even if the tube looks fine. Honestly I'd be more surprised it's only running 5 degrees hotter, I've seen old paste turn into basically chalk... mine from 2015 barely spread at all. If it's working and temps stay under 70, I'd leave it, but yeah, that 5 degree gap is almost certainly the paste age, not your application.

the_robert1mo ago

Man, I used to think old paste was basically fine as long as it looked wet, but watching mine turn into crumbly dust last year changed my whole take. You're spot on about the chalk thing, five degrees is honestly a win for stuff that old.