Rotating my cpu cooler

[MandalorePlayz]

OK so a week ago I built my first computer but being the noob I am I installed the AIO cooler water block upside down and my question is would it be safe to rotate it to be right side up without changing the thermal paste and it not harming my cpu temps? so you know I have an H100i v2 on a I7-6850k overclocked to 4.4Ghz. please don't leave your oppinion if you are just guessing cause I don't want my PC screwed up. Thx

[katoptrys]

As far as I have been told, once you separate the CPU block from the CPU, you will need to replace the thermal paste, as it will become imperfect or something. Not sure how much of a temperature increase you should see but I'd really recommend changing the thermal paste if you do that

[UltimateHobo2]

In most cases, it's likely going to be fine if you immediately put the water block back on. The question is do you want to risk it? You have a nice CPU and water cooler, and a stick of a high quality thermal paste like Arctic Silver 5 only costs about $5 and will last many applications. I would recommend reapplying, just in case. 

[cdominic3]

Thermal pastes are supposed to close the gap between your CPU and the block on your cooler. So whenever you separate your cooler and your CPU, you lose some of where the thermal paste "filled" in the gaps, and just using the old paste would miss those pockets of where the paste needs to be.

 

TL;DR: just use new paste to be safe.

[Mitch619911]

Best is just to jump on Amazon or something and get some new paste.
Protect your investment + this being your first build.

[TahoeDust]

Do you have something against re-applying the thermal paste?  It would probably be fine, but better safe than sorry.

[sazrocks]

You will probably be fine in the short term, but why not just go buy the arctic mx-4 on amazon or something?