Do I get rid of the fresh thermal paste just to reapply it if the heat sink came off of the cpu while installing?

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Pestman

Commendable
Jan 9, 2017
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I installed a coolermaster evo. I didn't quite get the evo on the bracket right the first time and it came off of the heatsink. Do I need to reapply the thermal paste even though it was still fresh?
 
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photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
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hmm... good question.

I would guess that it SHOULD be okay, but also agree with Wolfshadow that it COULD cause problems. (by "could" I mean unlikely)

I use the "pea" method of approx. 5mm diameter ball then squish it down when installing.

You should still have paste though, so I'm surprised you didn't simply reapply it if in doubt?
 
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EastCoastCanadianMrFixIt

Reputable
Aug 27, 2014
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Well it didnt' get contaminated so just spread it around making sure it doesnt get onto any components if you put too much it may spread out and contact stuff potentially causing damage. Oils from your skin touching the cpu/gpu may leave a pocket so use 99% alcohol sparingly to clean it a few times with a q-tip in a small cap of alcohol (cover alcohol at all times, highly explosive.)
I dab the stuff on and move it around so it has even consistency and sticks to the cpu better.
 
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Saga Lout

Saga Lout

Retired Mod
Mar 31, 2010
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Alcohol wipes are available in most PC shops to avoid the need for bottled alcohol.

It's also well known and fully accepted in the industry that the "pea" method of applying thermal paste to a CPU. The small pea of paste is aimed at the centre and the heatsink itself spreads it adequately around the lid.
 
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EastCoastCanadianMrFixIt

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Aug 27, 2014
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This isn't rocket science people, and unless you are gaming and likely overclocking bringing the cpu to it's limits I wouldnt worry about it too much. What I would worry about is if it were a laptop and the exhaust vents were plugged and the paste were old and dry thus not disapating heat at all as well as the exhaust issue, you are heading towards disaster with the cpu & onboard GPU overheating, so basically just get it on there, Arctic Sliver is the best and dont get it on any components to cause a short and have your laptop cleaned once in a while. I take the fan right apart and clean it good with a toothbrush and alcohol. Some fan blades will gently come right out of it's socket. Just dont clean the grease off of the shaft - clean all the fins and the fan blade itself gently and dont lose the small washer off the inside of fan shaft but do get the hairs out of there.
Dont force the fan out, some are not removeable.
 
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an0ther

Dec 3, 2018
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10
Same happened to me. I didn't reapply the thermo paste, because it was still fresh. As I read on the internet, this could cause air bubbles which can cause higher CPU temperature. However, my CPU is around 30 °C when doing regular tasks, and doesn't go higher than 35 °C while gaming. I experienced no problems.
 
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