Do i need to change thermal paste for cpu if i remove it for now then put it back?

[Guest]

Basically im getting a new mobo i remember i bought thermal liquid but i cant find it so can i put the cpu back without putting new thermal paste on it or  do i have to clean it then put new thermal paste on it.

[EunSoo]

You don't need to, it won't affect temps that much. But its a good practice to clean it and reapply. 

[Moonzy]

its a good practice to replace thermal paste everytime u remove the cooler

 

but if the paste is still fresh, you can re-use it. temps will rise slightly though so if you're overclocking, dont

if the paste is already dried, replace it `-`

 

that said...

 

[Godlygamer23]

Air bubbles might form when putting the heatsink back on, so it's good practice to replace the paste.

[alexnt]

Yes, you need.

[Guest]

7 hours ago, Godlygamer23 said:

Air bubbles might form when putting the heatsink back on, so it's good practice to replace the paste.

how bad would that affect temperatures? 

[Godlygamer23]

5 hours ago, PeloyGeek said:

how bad would that affect temperatures? 

Depends on how big the air bubbles are.

[LogicalDrm]

I would be most worried about paste sticking to your fingers and ending into pins/contact surface.

[Guest]

On 4/27/2016 at 4:29 PM, Moonzy said:

its a good practice to replace thermal paste everytime u remove the cooler

 

but if the paste is still fresh, you can re-use it. temps will rise slightly though so if you're overclocking, dont

if the paste is already dried, replace it `-`

 

that said...

 

I have thermal paste but how do i replace it and how do i take off the old thermal paste.

[Moonzy]

1 minute ago, TonaldDrump said:

I have thermal paste but how do i replace it and how do i take off the old thermal paste.

if the thermal paste is still wet and gooey:

1) wipe the big chunks off with paper towel or tissue

2) polish it with lint free cloth or coffee filter dampened with isoproprl alcohol (preferably) to not leave any fibres behind, repeat until there's little to no old paste left

3) do step 1 and 2 to the base of the old cooler as well and store it somewhere safe

4) put a line or an X of thermal paste on the cpu heat spreader, a peanut sized paste in the middle is fine too (dont use too little or too many, a peanut size in the middle is fine)

5) mount the cooler, depending on what cooler you use, best way is to screw in the opposite corners first instead of going clockwise or anti-clockwise, this is so your thermal paste spread evenly, tighten the screws only when all 4 are screwed in, opposite corners first of course

 

if your thermal paste is dried out (like dust):

the above, but skip step 1, and repeat step 2 more times, might need more alcohol too

[rowanhazard]

1 hour ago, Moonzy said:

a peanut sized paste

I think you mean PEA sized.

[Moonzy]

1 minute ago, rowanhazard said:

I think you mean PEA sized.

peanut :I

pea is fine too lol

 

a single bit inside the peanut, not including the shell `-`

[rowanhazard]

2 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

peanut :I

pea is fine too lol

Peanuts are an inch tall and a 1/4 wide 

[Moonzy]

Just now, rowanhazard said:

Peanuts are an inch tall and a 1/4 wide 

i guess peanuts are different all around the world `-`

pea sized it is lol

[rowanhazard]

yeah lol