Thermal conductive pads typically have a lifespan of several years, but their longevity can depend on various factors such as the quality of the pad and the operating conditions of your device. It's generally recommended to replace the thermal pad whenever you remove the heat sink for maintenance or upgrades. If you notice that your device is running hotter than usual, it may be a sign that the thermal pad needs to be replaced.

Some pads may last for several years where as others need to be changed annually. It is best to refer to the thermal pad manufacturer’s instructions for information on changing the thermal conductive pads. If you are using a good quality thermal pad, we recommend changing it after 5 ~ 6 years. If manufactured with good quality materials, thermal pads have a shelf life of around 8 years and can perform 5 ~ 6 years when in use.

A thermal pad has many advantages over other thermal interface materials. Applying it instead of any liquid or semi-liquid interface material is less messy and won’t leak to the surroundings, if a thermal paste leaks to the GPU pins and motherboard surroundings, it can cause a short circuit or other permanent damage to the GPU.

Another advantage is that it won’t stain your hands, unlike thermal pastes, which need to be removed with alcohol if it stains the skin. Along with being super-easy to apply, it won’t attract dust and offers uniform thickness on each corner.

These advantages are not possible if you use liquid metal, gap fillers, or thermal paste. You can easily cut it into pieces of your desired length and use it on the heat sink. Hence, you don’t have to worry about the quantity while applying too. It lasts around 5+ years within the heat sink.

If you would like to learn more about AOK performance thermal materials, please visit our website at www.aok-technologies.com.