Has my thermal compound worn off?

[de1337ed]

I built this computer about 4 years ago. It has an intel core 2 quad processor and has a stock fan. I used to use this computer for serious gaming until I left for college about 2 years ago. Then I would only game when I came back home on breaks. I came back from college today and I read the temperatures from the Core Temp application (by alcpu). When I just let the computer sit idly, I get the following temperatures:

core 0: 51 C
core 1: 44 C
core 2: 46 C
core 3: 48 C

I feel that these are really high for idle temperatures. Can anyone help me understand what's wrong? I have a feeling that the thermal compound has worn off over the years. If that's the case, I was looking into the prolimatech PK-1 (I used AS5 originally), is this a good choice? Can anyone see other reasons that may cause this increased temperature?

Thank you.

[ChocoTaco]

Clean your PC, if it has been sitting I imagine the dust is thick. Get some compressed air and clean out all of the dust build up on your HSF (not just the surface, blow out the fins/heat pipes).

[jmilch]

Agreed I would clean things out. It won't hurt to change the TIM either.

What are ambient temps.

[Josie Wales]

Change the TIM. AS5 typically suffers burn-out and needs to be changed every 12 to 18 months.

[de1337ed]

Well I got around to cleaning out as much dust inside as possible (without having to dismantle the comp). MAN, there was a lot of dust. I check my core temp now, currently its saying the following:
Core 0: 42 C
Core 1: 34 C
Core 2: 36 C
Core 3: 39 C
But I'm sure there are going to be some deviations throughout the day.
So it definitely did help a lot. But as you can see, my cpu temp is still running a little hot. (I want to get it down to the mid to low 30's at least).
So I'm guessing that my next best bet would be to change the TIM? I definitely haven't changed it every 12-18 months as Josie Wales recommended. (It's been 4 years now).

Also, what TIM would you guys recommend? AS5 was originally used on this comp but I'm seeing a lot of good things about the prolimatech PK-1. Any recommendations?

Thanks

[jmilch]

Originally Posted by de1337ed

Well I got around to cleaning out as much dust inside as possible (without having to dismantle the comp). MAN, there was a lot of dust. I check my core temp now, currently its saying the following:
Core 0: 42 C
Core 1: 34 C
Core 2: 36 C
Core 3: 39 C
But I'm sure there are going to be some deviations throughout the day.
So it definitely did help a lot. But as you can see, my cpu temp is still running a little hot. (I want to get it down to the mid to low 30's at least).
So I'm guessing that my next best bet would be to change the TIM? I definitely haven't changed it every 12-18 months as Josie Wales recommended. (It's been 4 years now).

Also, what TIM would you guys recommend? AS5 was originally used on this comp but I'm seeing a lot of good things about the prolimatech PK-1. Any recommendations?

Thanks

There are some exotic TIM's out there, but I would just stick with some good ol' AS5 for your setup.

[ChocoTaco]

Tuniq TX-2 is a couple dollars cheaper than AS5 and performs a touch better.

[Jahova]

Arctic Silver 5 still seems to be the most straitforward processor TIM. It always helps.