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| Thread ID: 122054 | 2011-11-28 02:49:00 | Re-using CPU with stock thermal paste | aidhan (16642) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1245992 | 2011-11-28 02:49:00 | Hello everybody, I have an AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition which I've used once for about an hour, but I've switched back to my old processor while I get my new motherboard that supports the 125w Processor. It's been sitting there in room temperature for the last 1.5 months with all the stock protective plastic back on it like it's out of the box. My question is will the thermal paste still function despite being used once? The CPU and the Heat sink have some of that paste on it. Here are two pictures of the CPU and heatsink as they have been. uploadir.com uploadir.com Are both thermal paste surfaces are still damp. Thanks, Aidhan |
aidhan (16642) | ||
| 1245993 | 2011-11-28 03:35:00 | For the small price that a tube of Artic Silver will cost, compared to the possible loss of the CPU. I would suggest removing, cleaning and applying new thermal paste when your new motherboard gets there. As a side note, I've never used the 'stock' pads they put on the heatsinks. No real reason other than I don't believe they're that good. I've taken heatsinks off machines that were only a few months old and the state of that pad can be very, very poor.. My own personal machine on the other hand, after almost a year looked as if the thermal paste was still new. I would say replace the paste. And to be even more anal about it, clean both the top surface of the CPU and the bottom surface of the heatsink with alcohol, avoid touching either surface with your skin/fingers (leaves oil/grease behind) apply a nice smooth layer of paste to the CPU surface covering the whole surface. Some like to apply a small 'hill' to the center of the CPU surface so that it will spread under pressure as the heatsink is mounted. |
l0gic (6781) | ||
| 1245994 | 2011-11-28 04:06:00 | Thanks for the reply. I wasn't sure if it would fry the CPU or work. |
aidhan (16642) | ||
| 1245995 | 2011-11-28 04:21:00 | It is not worth the risk of killing the CPU to save a couple of $ on thermal paste. I agree with LOgics post. |
CliveM (6007) | ||
| 1245996 | 2011-11-28 05:23:00 | Thanks for the reply. I wasn't sure if it would fry the CPU or work. Could go either way. Not worth being impatient and wasting $200+ of good cpu. |
icow (15313) | ||
| 1245997 | 2011-11-28 05:45:00 | Key thing any time you work with thermal paste is to ensure two things: 1. An even, bubble-free layer 2. A thin layer. A huge wedge of paste is inferior to a thin film of paste. Ideally practice the technique of getting the heatsink into place in one smooth manouvre. You want to place it, spread it, secure it without ever lifting it. My own preference is to use a twisting action to spread the paste between the CPU and heatsink. Over time the paste can dry out and almost glue the heatsink to the CPU. Quality pastes take longer to dry. Personally, I've been very happy with the immediate performance of stock pastes. Can't comment on the longer term quality however. |
Paul.Cov (425) | ||
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