Thermal Paste Problem

[Aaron-kun]

I made a mistake when installing my CPU (i5-4690k) to my motherboard (Asus Maximus Hero 7). I forgot to remove the plastic CPU socket guard before installing the CPU, and installed the stock CPU cooler with the guard still on.

After realizing my mistake, I removed the CPU cooler and the plastic socket guard, and reinstalled the CPU. My problem is that some of the preinstalled thermal paste was removed in the process of removing the stock CPU cooler.

What do you guys suggest I do to fix the problem? Is the remaining thermal paste enough, or should I get some thermal paste and reapply it?

[Tripnator]

buy some and replace it before you use it. 

[MeltingPoint]

Definitely reapply. There are air pockets already there. It will severely affect cooling performance.

 

So you removed the socket cover, installed the cpu, put the socket cover back and install the cooler? Haha

[TheKDub]

Clean off the heatsink and get some new thermal paste to use.

 

Or you could just put some tooth paste on it.

^{DO NOT DO THIS ^ IT IS VERY BAD!}

[Aaron-kun]

Definitely reapply. There are air pockets already there. It will severely affect cooling performance.

 

So you removed the socket cover, installed the cpu, put the socket cover back and install the cooler? Haha

 

Not exactly.  I installed the CPU into the socket with the socket cover still on, then tried installing the cooler.  I do feel really dumb after doing it, though.  

[Aaron-kun]

Clean off the heatsink and get some new thermal paste to use.

 

Or you could just put some tooth paste on it.

^{DO NOT DO THIS ^ IT IS VERY BAD!}

 

Any good brands that make thermal paste?  Arctic Silver is good, right?

[TheKDub]

Any good brands that make thermal paste?  Arctic Silver is good, right?

 

Yeah arctic silver is a good one.

[Enderman]

Any good brands that make thermal paste?  Arctic Silver is good, right?

No, AS5 is really old, and actually performs worse than a lot of new thermal paste that has been released.

I always recommend MX4, but NH-T1 and IC diamond are really good too.

[Admire]

Always have thermal paste.....its a must. Always reapply if you aren't sure.

[ObscureMammal]

Any good brands that make thermal paste?  Arctic Silver is good, right?

 

[Aaron-kun]

Thanks for your help, guys.  Hopefully I can get this problem fixed by tomorrow.  

[Mistersprinkles]

To clean off the existing residue from the heatsink you will need a soft cloth and 99% rubbing alcohol. Soak the cloth and scrub away (don't use an abrasive cloth!) at the heatsink until the cloth comes away completely clear and clean. Then let it dry completely.

 

You apply one dot of paste to your CPU about the size of a small green pea. Put it right in the middle of the CPU and then lower the heatsink directly down onto it.

[Aaron-kun]

To clean off the existing residue from the heatsink you will need a soft cloth and 99% rubbing alcohol. Soak the cloth and scrub away (don't use an abrasive cloth!) at the heatsink until the cloth comes away completely clear and clean. Then let it dry completely.

 

You apply one dot of paste to your CPU about the size of a small green pea. Put it right in the middle of the CPU and then lower the heatsink directly down onto it.

Is it safe to dry it with a soft cloth, or should I let it "air out"?

[Kieran C]

The rubbing alcohol will evaporate pretty quickly, so you shouldn't need to dry it with a cloth.

[Faceman]

Any good brands that make thermal paste?  Arctic Silver is good, right?

No, Arctic Silver is not good.  It doesn't perform well, and it is conductive.

 

Here is a graph:

-Tom's

 

I personally use Gelid GC-Extreme.  It is also amazing for your GPU.

 

Other good brands are, but not limited to: IC Diamond, Arctic MX-4, Noctua NT-H1, Prolimatech PK-3.

 

The Prolimatech PK-3 was on sale on Amazon for $7 the other day, check if it still is.  That is some excellent TIM for the price.

[roberrrtz]

Nice to hear when I have as5 in my brand new PC lol...

The performance with wc which I'm on, the difference is 1°, so I can live with that, but however, the part about it being conductive got me worried tho, but I should be alright if there's no overflow of thermalpaste from the CPU, right?

[Mistersprinkles]

Nice to hear when I have as5 in my brand new PC lol...

The performance with wc which I'm on, the difference is 1°, so I can live with that, but however, the part about it being conductive got me worried tho, but I should be alright if there's no overflow of thermalpaste from the CPU, right?

 

If the paste gets in the socket you're pretty much screwed. That motherboard is finished. That's why I never use AS5. Stuff like NTH1 performs better and is cheaper to boot! 

[Mistersprinkles]

Its useally fine, and AS5 isn't conductive, and if you clean it out of the socket carefully, its fine. I've had it happen 3 or 4 times at work, and never killed a board in that fasion.

 

It's not conductive, it's capacitive. And yes it is look it up this is a well known fact. 

[Aaron-kun]

Has anyone used Antec Formula 7?  Is it any good?