cpu stock cooler, thermal paste qusetion.

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smilemore

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i installed the stock cooler on the cpu because the 212 evo is gonna be like 3 days late.. i put the stock cooler on the cpu, and thought i messed up and took it OFF.. the paste was spreaded.. can i put it back down even though its been spreaded? i dont have anymore paste.

And what to use to clean off the paste when the 212 evo comes in, so i can add new paste?
 
Solution
clutchc
For best results, remove the old and replace with new. But TBH, I have wiped the old across the surfaces with a credit card to re-spread it and replaced the cooler, with no loss of cooling performance. Mainly you want to be sure no microscopic air bubbles have formed that can retard thermal transfer.

I've even simply 'tinted' the surfaces by wiping a thin film across each surface and removing most of it. Then replaced the cooler... still no loss in cooling performance. At least at stock speeds, anyway. Basically you are only filling in the microscopic pores in the metal surfaces.
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clutchc

clutchc

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For best results, remove the old and replace with new. But TBH, I have wiped the old across the surfaces with a credit card to re-spread it and replaced the cooler, with no loss of cooling performance. Mainly you want to be sure no microscopic air bubbles have formed that can retard thermal transfer.

I've even simply 'tinted' the surfaces by wiping a thin film across each surface and removing most of it. Then replaced the cooler... still no loss in cooling performance. At least at stock speeds, anyway. Basically you are only filling in the microscopic pores in the metal surfaces.
 
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Solution
clutchc

clutchc

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Do as I outlined above and you will be fine.
 
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JackNaylorPE

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Use > 90% isoprophly alcohol or Indigo Extreme cleaner for cleaning off old paste.

the stock cooler comes with a pad not paste and when cold it can be problematic as it cakes up at room temps. If it has not dried out, warm it up w/ a hair dryer (on low) before spreading. In a pinch peeps have used toothpaste which worked extraordinarily well short term tho will quickly dry out .... there's a recent thread here on THG on it and a yahoo / google search should fine many similar theads
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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It's not how long it was off. It's the fact that pulling it off will introduce those microscopic air bubbles into the mix. That was why I suggested wiping the surfaces with something like the edge of a credit card to spread out the TIM.

But since it's back on, run IBT and see how you did.
 
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