Thermal paste question

[treetops]

If you did not apply thermal paste what would be the first to go? My brother ran his computer for 3 years without thermal paste, hes had a outside fan blowing on his computer. What do you think would be the first computer part that would crap out on him? Is it to late to apply any thermal paste?

 

[EXCellR8]

The CPU or the actual socket on the motherboard would be the first to go. Not even going to ask why he didn't use any but there should always be a thermal barrier between the raised core and the cooler. A metal to metal contact is never good.