Do I need to reapply the heat conducting paste?

[Sulaco99]

N00b question: I am replacing my motherboard and plan to use the same CPU and heat sink. They still have the heat conducting paste on them that I applied only about a week ago. Do I need to clean them off and reapply the paste before I put them on the new mobo? Thanks.

The CPU is an AMD Phenom 9950, BTW.

 

[dirtmountain]

Yes, you should really replace it.

 

[br3nd064]

I would only if you're getting unusually high temps. Since you only applied it a week ago, it should still be good.

 

[amdfangirl]

No harm in reapplying it

 

[WhyFi]

If you don't reapply, you're more likely to get bubbles in the paste. Take the two minutes to clean it off and reapply.