New motherboard installed, so I need new paste?

[suspectedyugo]

Hi guys,

I recently installed a new motherboard. However, I had to separate the cpu and heatsink during the uninstallation process. The paste between them seems good, so do I have to clean it and apply a new paste, or will the paste that was already between them still work?

Any tips would be great, thanks!

 

[mi1ez]

Clean it and reapply. Not worth the hassle of leaving it and doing it in a week when your temps are too high.

 

[dirtmountain]

Clean it with isoproyl alchohol (not the kind you drink, tequila is bad for motherboards) let dry completely. Use new paste. About $7 at local computer shop and corner drugstore, use a new coffee filter for less lint and debris then a paper towel.

 

[sailer]

Simple answer. Any time you remove a heatsink, replace the paste. It dries a bit when being used and looses malleability, so therefore will not be adequate for another application. As noted, use isopropyl alcohol, 91% or better, for cleaning. Coffee filters or good quality toilet tissue are fine for cleaning off the alcohol/softened paste. If the heatsink isn't very smooth, you might try sanding/lapping it a bit for better contact and heat dispersion. Some people lap the CPU as well, but I wouldn't recommend that, as if you do, the warranty is gone, gone, gone.

 

[suspectedyugo]

Thanks for the replies, guys. The thing is, it's an AM2 socket, so the spread is pretty big, and both the cpu and heatsink are the same; they were only separated for a short while. I'd really hate to take it out and clean it since I don't overclock or anything; is it possible that not cleaning it and reapplying will be okay?

Thanks, again! ^_^

 

[nocturnal7x]

Thanks for the replies, guys. The thing is, it's an AM2 socket, so the spread is pretty big, and both the cpu and heatsink are the same; they were only separated for a short while. I'd really hate to take it out and clean it since I don't overclock or anything; is it possible that not cleaning it and reapplying will be okay?

Thanks, again! ^_^

No, unless you use the same grease that was already on the CPU and heat sink. Can't mix grease.

 

[Kari]

^^can't leave the old stuff there either, _allways_ clean it

 

[suspectedyugo]

Thanks guys. I'll clean it despite wishing I didn't have to. :/

 

[mtyermom]

lol it's just part of working with your hardware bro, suck it up

 

[suspectedyugo]

Yea I know. It's just that the paste is still on the CPU, it's still on the heatsink, so I'm surprised that just separating them for a second really messes things up to the point you can't just put them right back to where they were.