CPU/Cooler Removed, then reinstalled. Do I need to reapply paste?

Snoop46 · 19 Dec 2020 at 11:36

I have just completed my first PC build. I went with a MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS Motherboard and Intel Core i7 10700k processor with Corsair Hydro series H75 120mm all-in-one Hydro CPU cooler. I have been lucky enough to get hold of an RTX 3080.

Everything was going well, however after attaching the cooler I had to remove it. The cooler came with factory applied paste. I then reattached the cooler.

I noticed my CPU when playing COD Black Opps reaching 75-80c. I thought this was hot, but others seem to say this is ok. I was playing around an 1.5-2 hours.

Ideally I don't want to remove the cooler unless I have to, however, should I remove it and clean it then reapply new paste? Attaching the cooler was quite possibly the most challenging part of the build as the nuts were a lot more fiddly that I thought. Any advice would be appreciated.

mickyflinn · 19 Dec 2020 at 12:17

It seem ok to me intel run hot , you could upgrade your cooler if you u have room.

george1976 · 19 Dec 2020 at 18:50

I would always reapply the paste after removing the cooler but that's me. I can understand that you think the cooler was not off for a long time, paste was fresh etc but I wouldn't take the risk.

Dg834man · 19 Dec 2020 at 20:46

put it on the to do list, its not ideal but as long as the temps aren't terrible it will be fine till you get new paste

pp111 · 21 Dec 2020 at 19:03

It is a fairly warm CPU. Personally I would look to bring the temperatures down a little. Perhaps use a better cooler. Mind you, with a 3080 in there you are going to need pretty decent case ventilation.

Shawreyboy · 23 Dec 2020 at 11:55

A 120mm AIO is not going to do the 10700k any justice. A 120mm AIO cooler performs worse than decent high-end air. Also, you should not be reseating the cooler with the existing paste applied, it should always be cleaned off with IPA/TIM cleaner using a clean lint free cloth and a blob/grain of rice of decent paste reapplied to the IHS.

Eliagon · 23 Dec 2020 at 21:52

Old paste will have an inconsistent density since the outer stuff and stuff that get's hottest will be dryer. So if you re-seat you might not get good contact. But it won't damage anything. I'd replace when I was interested in getting good performance.

EsaT · 24 Dec 2020 at 12:16

Eliagon said:
Old paste will have an inconsistent density since the outer stuff and stuff that get's hottest will be dryer.

That amount of drying really depends on paste.
Some could harden fast, while other retain their consistency longer.
But what is always risk in sticking cooler back with old paste is because paste's been flattened there's risk of trapping some air in between CPU and cooler.
With new paste that blob/line etc of new paste forces air out when spreading.

Anyway small 120mm radiator is very mediocre with inadequate surface area for dissipating amount of heat into air what 8 cores of Intel can put out.

Joxeon · 24 Dec 2020 at 17:16

EsaT said:
Anyway small 120mm radiator is very mediocre with inadequate surface area for dissipating amount of heat into air what 8 cores of Intel can put out.

This will be the reason for the higher temps rather than the paste and especially if the rad is positioned at the back of the case blowing the air out which will already be heated by the 3080. Try moving the rad to the front of the case so it's getting the cooler fresh air moving through it and see if that makes a difference to temps.

Snoop46 · 29 Dec 2020 at 14:51

The case I have is a msi mag forge 100r, I read quite a few reviews and so far believe the air flow to be pretty good. It does have a magnetic mesh dust thing on top, if I take that off the air flow is even better and temp is lowered further. The case would support upto 240mm in the top, however would be a very close fit with the RAM. I have the current cooler on the top of the case, so fresh air through the front, rear fan for vent and top fan for rad.

This is my first build and everything is new. The cooler I though was a decent Black Friday deal I thought. What cooler would you recommend?

Not sure why, but since the post idle temps are around 25-30 and gaming 60-70 with a max of 74 once, however, central heating was on full blast so house was pretty warm at the time as well. GPU generally runs at 60-70 as well. I am playing on ulta graphics.

I think I will replace the paste, thank you!