All right to reuse Thermal Paste?

[SHAD0WxF1R3]

So I need to spring clean my pc of dust, since it has been running pretty hot and louder than usual. 

 

I need to know if it is okay to use the thermal paste on the cpu cooler now when I reinstall it after cleaning. I need to know cause I don't have extra thermal compounds laying around.

 

Thanks once again.

[Xaring]

Its not recommended, that doesnt mean you can't do it while you wait for a new compound to arrive.

[SHAD0WxF1R3]

1 minute ago, Xaring said:

Its not recommended, that doesnt mean you can't do it while you wait for a new compound to arrive.

I mean, I wanna do alot of upgrades (currently have a horrid stock amd cpu cooler) but those won't be till the summer, I may just use compressed air and clean off large wads of dust. 

[Xaring]

You can do that. But if you do take the CPU heatsink off and not reapply, the worst case scenario is that your CPU will start to thermal throttle (Less performance and very high temperatures, might reduce the CPU's lifetime). Get any cheapo thermal paste, i went to my local store and bought a 90ml pot of unbranded compound for 3 or 4€.

[IanDrexP]

It isn't recommended because pockets of air will be present in between the heatsink and CPU. You can reuse the old thermal paste if you add probably a little more thermal paste to close those air pockets.

[aisle9]

Order some new paste before you clean. Reusing the old stuff is like taking the oil out of your car, flushing the whole system, then putting the old oil back in.

[rheyL]

to answer the topic.. NO its not recommended to reuse..

buy some thermal paste or ask from a friend 

[LogicalDrm]

Try to not remove whole cooler if possible. You said it was stock, so there might not be need for. Blow some air in and use some lint-free cloth to wipe it.