Reapply thermal paste or not?

[Tmt97]

Im about to remove my aio cooler from the cpu, flip it 180 degrees, and then remount it. Do i need to reapply thermal paste before remounting or will the paste it has already be fine?

[TidaLWaveZ]

I would reapply to avoid any complications, especially if it has been on the cpu for awhile.

 

I remove all thermal material from the block and cpu with isopropyl and reapply everytime I separate the block and CPU, just to be as certain as possible that I'm getting a clean, even spread.

[paddy-stone]

I'd always re-apply paste FWIW, the last thing you'd want is a straight metal on metal contact and also the paste helps transmit the thermal energy to the cooler. For the sake of a few $ it's not worth the risk. The only time I would maybe risk it is if a) you haven't got any thermal paste spare and b) if you definitely for sure 100% know that you are going to be able to remount without getting any dsut and crap in there.

[Minsekt]

if youre dismounting it always reapply thermalpaste unless its temporarely. there might be air bubbles or dried/burnt bumps of thermalpaste if youre using it twice.

[Tmt97]

Thanks guys!

[GrobfootGaming]

yep.  Reapply 

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

I don't unless I really need to lol- it doesn't seem to make an difference at all.

[Unhelpful]

Conventional wisdom says yes, my real-life experience says that it doesn't matter unless the thermal paste is 4+ months old. But I would go ahead and do it anyways.

[SolarNova]

The only time I do NOT reapply thermal paste is if I literally just applied it, and have decided for what ever reason, to remove the heatsink and refit it.

if the TIM has been on for any extended period of time over a day, I would re apply new TIM.

[Tmt97]

I had a lil extra paste so I just reapplied. Its done now. Thanks again!