Did I ruin my thermal paste?
Did I ruin my thermal paste?
I assembled my computer recently, but while setting it up I noticed my mounting brackets for the Noctua NH-D15 weren't aligned properly. It was inconvenient because I had already installed the cooler and mounted the processor. I had to remove the cooler, reposition the brackets correctly, and then reinstall it. However, I took a risk by not reapplying thermal paste. Since the paste was already on the processor and the cooler base, I simply placed it back in about 30 seconds. Should I have reapplied the paste or is this acceptable?
You didn't move the cooler or turn it much? Just a quick loosen-up? Then you're okay.
If you do lift the cooler, then swap out the paste.
You didn't move the cooler or turn it much? Just a quick loosen? Then you're okay.
If you do lift the cooler, then swap out the paste.
In theory the paste should be fine. The problem arises from introducing air bubbles into the paste. That’s why Mr5oh inquired about lifting the cooler. If it was my setup and temperatures were off, I’d just redo it. (BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY) Even a $10 tube of paste is not worth what you spent on your CPU!!!
Mr5oh :
You didn't lift the cooler or rotate much right? You just loosened for a moment? If so you're fine.
If you lift the cooler, then yes replace the paste.
Lifted vs loosened? Not sure what you mean. But here's what I did:
- I took the cooler off of the processor
- I could see the thermal paste