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Reapply thermal paste?

Mogli_
By Mogli_
in CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory
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Go to solution Solved by goto10,

you only need a small amount of thermal paste

 

people think that thermal paste is a magical cream that if not applied will melt the pc and make a hole in the floor

 

people talks about bubbles, thickness of layer, tools to apply, methods

 

all you need is a thin layer usually perfectly spread by the mere act of put the heatsink or pump over the cpu

 

you will be fine, dont worry, as long as you didnt used toothpaste, you will be fine

Posted

Hello good people,

 

So yesterday I had the pleasure to build a new PC, but it did not come free of stress.

 

After putting everything together, zip tying cables and whatnots, I tried turning it on an nothing. Long story short, I had plugged the power switch thingys on the reset pins.

I finally found it after 2 hours of debugging, but not without pulling the whole thing apart trying to find the issue, including pulling the AIO pump out.

I was so sure that I would have to replace the cpu that I just put it back in without reapplying paste. I did look at the paste before putting it back, and it was still thinly spread.

The computer is working now, ridiculously quiet and I absolutely love it, but I can't shake the feeling that I should have reapplied paste.

 

The cooler is a kraken x62, and I can only assume that the paste that comes pre applied is of good quality, while the only Thermal paste I have is whats left from my old cooler master cooler.

 

Would you open it again to put new paste? I read things about blind spots, but If the cooler is well tightened I believe the paste would spread out again?! I guess, maybe.

 

I just wanted to leave the poor thing in peace, there was a lot of pushing and pulling yesterday already.

I'd love to know your thoughts,

thanks

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I wouldn't take it apart to reapply paste.  It was squished, released, then squished again.  No big deal.  If it had been used for years, or gotten dirty while apart... then yes.  But it just resquished itself just fine.

 

"Do what makes the experience better" - in regards to PCs and Life itself.

 

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  • Solution

you only need a small amount of thermal paste

 

people think that thermal paste is a magical cream that if not applied will melt the pc and make a hole in the floor

 

people talks about bubbles, thickness of layer, tools to apply, methods

 

all you need is a thin layer usually perfectly spread by the mere act of put the heatsink or pump over the cpu

 

you will be fine, dont worry, as long as you didnt used toothpaste, you will be fine

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