Will I need to reapply thermal paste after refitting heatsink?

kliu448 · Nov 28, 2016

Hi,

I recently just bought a Corsair H100i, not knowing that it already had thermal paste applied on the heatsink. I tried to position the heat sink and then removed it, which i found out that the stock thermal paste was already applied on the heatsink and is also now on my cpu, I then straight away fixed the heatsink on the cpu again (about 1 min gap between taking it on and off)

Do I need to remove and reapply the thermal paste again? I'm looking to OC my cpu and want to make sure heat transfer is normal on the heatsink, I've read that taking the heatsink off can create air bubbles

MatthewGB · Nov 28, 2016

Do you need to? No. How much difference will it make if you reapply? Around 2c. Not worth it really.

chemmajorp53 · Nov 28, 2016

I would, it's not absolutely necessary but it might get you a couple extra degrees. If you don't have any on hand i'd just put off overclocking and install it now, then get some paste and isopropyl alcohol and apply it when you have both.

Gam3r01 · Nov 28, 2016

I wouldnt worry right now. Since the paste was still new it should spread out evenly again, however there is still going to be some amount of air trapped.
If you arent getting the performance you want, reapply.

william p · Nov 28, 2016

I always replace thermal compound. To avoid bubbles i make a small digonal X on the CPU. About the size of 2 grins of rice. This allows it to push the air out the sides as it spreads and reach all the way to the corners also. Less is better than more, so if you have it on both parts, plus air in there too then you're not going to get your best results.

Gam3r01 · Nov 28, 2016

william p :

The X pattern wouldnt push out any more air than say the standard pea sized method. If anything, it has a higher chance of incorporating air where the four sides meet together.

chemmajorp53 · Nov 28, 2016

^ agreed, but it's pretty much been proven that as long as you have enough paste and the heatsink is tightened down enough, it's pretty hard to do it wrong.

kliu448 · Nov 29, 2016

chemmajorp53 :

Great advice thanks! just ordered some isopropyl alcohol and thermal paste, gonna reapply once im ready to oc

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