CPU reseat without changing the thermal paste!

xhellx

Distinguished
Aug 25, 2010
3
0
18,510
This is my first computer build. I read and research as much as possible before I started building my computer.

CPU:AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
MOBO: ASUS M4A87TD/USB3
Video Card: ASUS Radeon HD 5770
RAM: G.Skill 4GB
OS: Window 7 64-bit
Case: RaidMax Quantum
PSU: RaidMax 700watt
HDD: Samsung F3 500GB
DVD Drive: Samsung 24x

Everything was fine except for a damage on the corner of my DVD drive (It came damage from newegg.com, but the damage didn't show after I install it on my case. So no biggy.) But while I was installing the CPU heatsink, one of the connector hinge was on the inside of the heatsink socket. So I try to take off the heatsink to move the hinge into prosition, but it didn't want to come off nicely. When I finally got it off, I saw that some of the thermal compound of my sock AMD heatsink had come off and where on the CPU. The size that came off was about 1/4, maybe less, of the thermal compound that was on the heatsink. I quickly fixed the hinge and put the heatsink back in the socket. Under 1 minute of taking it off and putting it back on. My question is: would this quick reseating of the heatsink cause my heatsink to not work correctly? This all happen BEFORE I turn the computer on for the first time. (I was happy that everything ran on my first boot, on my first computer build. WOOT!) I get a reading of 42C - 45C in BIOS doing nothing but just letting the computer run in BIOS. Some people said that temperature is normal for sock heatsink at idle. However, will I have a problem in the long run, because I may have caused air bubbles? Or can I only get air bubbles if I turn on the computer than take off the heatsink and put it back on without applying new paste? I'm hoping this computer will last me 5 years. I'll be using it for college work, encoding video and free-to-play MMO gaming. I would also like to know if I should remove the paste and apply new paste. If I do have to do that then I'll most likely get a aftermarket heatsink. I'm looking at Cooler Master 212+ at the moment. Any advice would be great. And if you done this before, LOL, please let me know what I would be excepting in the future. I just want some peace of mind (CPU cost $200, I do not want it to overheat on me after a few months), been stressing over this heatsink thing all day since I build the computer that I did not even get to enjoy it. Thanks in advance.
 

xhellx

Distinguished
Aug 25, 2010
3
0
18,510
Thanks for the helps guys. Sorry for my slow reply, I went out and got myself the Corsair h50. I did not like my cpu and mobo temps reading in BIOS.
CPU - 44C idle
Mobo - 37C idle
When I ran Microsoft Security Essentials to scan an old ex. hard drive (which took about 3 long boring hours because old drive ran slow), temps ran at:
CPU - 52C (not 100% load, used like two core of the six I have and it was like 13% load)
Mobo - 38C
Been busy installing my new Corsair H50. Right now while typing this, my temps are:
CPU - 30C
Mobo - 27C
Sooooo, I'm pretty happy. I wanted something in around the 20C for CPU but I'm happy with what I'm getting with the Corsair H50 because it was under $100. Thanks again for the help guys. Later, I'm off to read more stuff on this forum.
 

xhellx

Distinguished
Aug 25, 2010
3
0
18,510
not bad.
to be honest, you didn't have any real issue in the first place.
just a matter of preference huh.?

Yup, I agree with everyone who replied. You guys are right, my temps before where fine. I just read way too many forums about computers and getting jealous of all those people with under 40C idling on a aftermarket cpu cooler. LOL, so I ran out and got myself one. And I'm really satisfy with my temps reading that I'm getting now, even if it not in the 20C idling range. Even though I plan to never overclock, even while I'm gaming. I want the computer to last as long as possible. Thanks for all the replies. It's nice to know there are good people out there in the world willing to help.