Do I need to reapply thermal paste?

lewis2701 · 26 Feb 2012 at 21:33

Long story short, i built my PC and then found out i needed to RMA my motherboard. The CPU has dried thermal paste all over it as does my H60 on the contact point. When i get my new motherboard will i need to clean off the thermal paste on the CPU and H60 and then reapply it?

Cheers.

honosuseri · 26 Feb 2012 at 21:41

lewis2701 said:
Long story short, i built my PC and then found out i needed to RMA my motherboard. The CPU has dried thermal paste all over it as does my H60 on the contact point. When i get my new motherboard will i need to clean off the thermal paste on the CPU and H60 and then reapply it?

Cheers.

Yes you will.

You can use isoproyl alcohol to clean it off. It's the same stuff they use in the bottles for vinyl and CD cleaning kits.

RJC · 26 Feb 2012 at 21:44

Yes you would need to clean and reapply fresh paste.

I use the stuff below to clean:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-001-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=27

lewis2701 · 26 Feb 2012 at 21:48

Okay cheers guys. Do i just hold the cpu in my hand while cleaning it?

RJC · 26 Feb 2012 at 21:49

I often clean mine whilst still in the socket, it might worth if possible place the protective base on the cpu.

lewis2701 · 26 Feb 2012 at 21:51

ah okay cheers.

a66as · 26 Feb 2012 at 22:41

if you accidently get a bit of thermal paste under underneath your cpu on the pins does it damage it? this happened to me but its still working just been curious

RJC · 26 Feb 2012 at 23:06

If you clean the thermal paste off with care you should be ok.

You should not run the cpu with thermal paste on the pins as this could course a short and damage the cpu. (Some models of thermal paste are conductive)