Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

CPU Swap : Can I swap a cpu from a mobo without replacing the thermal paste?

Tags:
  • Computers
  • Thermal Compound
  • CPUs
  • Components
Last response: in Components
Share
June 27, 2014 10:28:03 AM

Hello everyone, so a very basic introduction to my situation:
I have a computer which freezes randomly every so often ( from 1 minute after startup to 2 whole days after startup...) after alot of parts swapping with a second computer of the house , i managed to narrow down the search to a failing cpu or mobo ( pretty sure the freeze is hardware related by the way since replacing my current hdd with a spare one with a brand new windows 7 install had no effect on the freezing and since cpu temps are completely fine around 70°C on the hottest of four cores, and gpu temp is also fine at 75°C tops ) so yeah, as i said i narrowed down the search. Now i am facing a little problem. I must swap out the cpu's of both machines to see what is failing, cpu or mobo.

So, the problem is , i am completely unsure if i can simply take off the heatsink off both cpu's, swap the chips out, and put back their respective heatsinks on without changing the thermal paste, because i do not have any more. on both computers there is currently a thermal paste i put myself btw ( arctic silver 5 ) would the thermal paste already on the chips and heatsinks still be good ?
Thank you in advance to any response or solution.

More about : cpu swap swap cpu mobo replacing thermal paste

Best solution

a b à CPUs
June 27, 2014 10:30:37 AM

I would say no. You should always reapply thermal paste when you remove the heatsink.
Share
June 27, 2014 10:37:54 AM

Reapply the thermal paste. Also check if both chips are compatible with your mobo
m
0
l
!