Thermal paste replacement safe?

[da na]

Is it safe to reapply thermal paste on GPU? What happens if it goes outside the die?

For reference, my gpu: 

XFX Radeon RX570 8GB

I've had it for 3 years now and I've cracked it open after noticing higher temps. The thermal paste on the die looks extremely dry and only covers about 1/3 of the die. The thermal paste: HY530

[CommanderAlex]

Unless you want a overheating graphics card before failure, it is most definitely safe. Be careful of the any thermal paste that spills over on the edges as there are capacitors/SMD that are located around the edge of the GPU die on its substrate. Just a pea size amount of a thin spread of quality thermal paste will be good. 

[da na]

Just now, CommanderAlex said:

Unless you want a overheating graphics card before failure, it is most definitely safe. Be careful of the any thermal paste that spills over on the edges as there are capacitors/SMD that are located around the edge of the GPU die on its substrate. Just a pea size amount of a thin spread of quality thermal paste will be good. 

Okay, thank you. I put back on the cooler after applying and took it back off, looks like none went over the edge.

[CommanderAlex]

2 minutes ago, wat3rmelon_man2 said:

Okay, thank you. I put back on the cooler after applying and took it back off, looks like none went over the edge.

If you took the cooler off again after repasting, it is recommended to clean and reapply paste so you do not trap any air bubbles between the TIM and IHS/coldplate. 

[Windows7ge]

If the compound you use is non-conductive there's not much to worry about if it goes over the edges of the die.

Quote

f you took the cooler off again after repasting, it is recommended to clean and reapply paste so you do not trap any air bubbles between the TIM and IHS/coldplate.

As for air bubbles they would get squished out and worked out as the card goes through a few heat cycles. I wouldn't worry about it so long as you put a sufficient amount on to begin with.