Heatsink paste

[mlee55]

Hi

If i remove the cooling fan from the Processor do I have to replace the heatsink paste or will the existing paste still do the job?

Cheers

 

[dave.m]

Are you removing the fan from the heatsink or the heatsink from the CPU?

If you are just taking the fan off the heatsink and not disturbing the heatsink/CPU joint then you will be OK to just put the fan, or a replacement, back.

If you disturb the joint between the heatsink and the CPU then it is advisable to clean and use a fresh dot of thermal paste.

dave

 

[tapir]

I've always cleaned the old heat sink paste, and replaced with new whenever I remove a heat sink on a PC, regardless of what it is. I view a 10 minute job that costs less than £5 time and money well spent if it means I haven't assumed that the join between heat sink and cooler has enough thermal paste with even coverage.

£5 and 10 minutes, or a new CPU? Better safe than sorry imo

 

[JohnD]

OOI do you just rub off the paste with a tissue, or is there something to help clean it off?

 

[tapir]

OOI do you just rub off the paste with a tissue, or is there something to help clean it off?

I use cotton buds and cotton pads with a few drops of acetone (or Mrs Tapir's nail polish remover). I use the pads to remove the bulk of the paste, and then the cotton buds to work on the finer bits. word of warning - be very careful not to drop bits of old paste onto your motherboard, or under chips....

Also, let the heatsinks fully dry before applying new paste, and never apply too much.

 

[djrock]

Cotton buds and cotton pads are not a good idea if they contain lint. Also nail polish remover is not a good idea since it usually contains oil. Using pure acetone is not a good idea since it can attack plastics.

I use proper tim cleaner.

djrock

 

[olly_k]

I think you are referring to silver paste mate normal paste which is fine unless seriously over-clocking should not present any problems.

For cleaning I use Isopropyl alcohol the stuff practically dissolves and evaporates quickly..

 

[mlee55]

Cheers all, will clean it off and replace the paste

Cheers

 

[tapir]

thanks for the info, I'll remember that for next time.