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Thread ID: 106395 2010-01-07 01:33:00 Question about thermal tape/paste forrest44 (754) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
846487 2010-01-07 01:33:00 Hi everyone

I have just removed a stock cooler from a P4 2.8GHz northwood CPU. It had some dark grey thermal tape stuff on it.

Question is, is it OK to put the CPU straight back on without cleaning the tape off and applying new thermal paste stuff?
forrest44 (754)
846488 2010-01-07 01:34:00 I think its better if you remove the tape, then put some paste on it then put it on the mobo Speedy Gonzales (78)
846489 2010-01-07 01:36:00 Definitely not OK. Clean both surfaces, apply a small dab of thermal paste in the center of the CPU and install the heatsink. wratterus (105)
846490 2010-01-07 01:38:00 Best practice is to replace it.
Is the tape still pliable (soft to the touch)?
If it is you could take a chance.(but it is a chance!!!!)
Northwoods don't generate
as much heat as Prescotts anyway.
I wouldn't do it to someone else's machine myself though!
KarameaDave (15222)
846491 2010-01-07 03:56:00 Best practice is to replace it.
Is the tape still pliable (soft to the touch)?
...
Err, dont touch it! You never know what you have on your hands that could impair the heat transfer between the cpu and heatsink. Even if you have just washed your hands, loose skin etc will affect performance.
pine-o-cleen (2955)
846492 2010-01-07 06:16:00 Err, dont touch it! You never know what you have on your hands that could impair the heat transfer between the cpu and heatsink. Even if you have just washed your hands, loose skin etc will affect performance.
Fair comment, perhaps use a small probe of some sort.
Although personally I just replace it in normal circumstances.:xmouth:
KarameaDave (15222)
846493 2010-01-07 09:22:00 replace it, its cheap so why take the chance hueybot3000 (3646)
846494 2010-01-08 05:50:00 I just squirt a bit of paste that spreads into the gaps. PENTIUM (426)
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