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AR15.COM
6/6/2013 5:18:00 AM EDT
I just replaced my CPU fan and had to remove the heat sink.

Do I have to buy some heat sink paste and put a new layer on the cpu and heat sink or can I just assume the existing paste will still do its job?

Thanks for any info.
6/6/2013 5:19:22 AM EDT
[#1]
Put some new stuff on.
6/6/2013 5:19:53 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Put some new stuff on.


I gotta order some..........it will take a few days to arrive..........will that cause problems?
6/6/2013 5:23:59 AM EDT
[#3]
Unless you're overclocking or doing something processor intensive you'll probably be fine for a few days.

6/6/2013 5:26:46 AM EDT
[#4]
It's best to put new stuff on, but if the old stuff is still there, you will be fine (probably forever) but at least temporarily. It just helps in the transfer of heat.
6/6/2013 5:27:58 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Unless you're overclocking or doing something processor intensive you'll probably be fine for a few days.



Thanks...........I just called a Radio Shack about 10 miles away and they have some.

I'm going to go buy some once you answer one more question please?

Do I have to remove the old hardened paste or can I put a new layer over the old layer.

Also, I don't know what dissolves old paste?

Thanks for your help.
6/6/2013 5:29:36 AM EDT
[#6]



Quoted:



Quoted:

Unless you're overclocking or doing something processor intensive you'll probably be fine for a few days.







Thanks...........I just called a Radio Shack about 10 miles away and they have some.



I'm going to go buy some once you answer one more question please?



Do I have to remove the old hardened paste or can I put a new layer over the old layer.



Also, I don't know what dissolves old paste?



Thanks for your help.


I use this stuff: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

 
6/6/2013 5:29:44 AM EDT
[#7]





Quoted:





Quoted:


Put some new stuff on.






I gotta order some..........it will take a few days to arrive..........will that cause problems?



I've seen it hanging on the wall in a Radio Shack...  if you're in a hurry you might want to give them a call and see if they have any.



ETA:  Slow posting here...  I see that you called.  Good deal.





 
6/6/2013 5:31:06 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:
Unless you're overclocking or doing something processor intensive you'll probably be fine for a few days.



Thanks...........I just called a Radio Shack about 10 miles away and they have some.

I'm going to go buy some once you answer one more question please?

Do I have to remove the old hardened paste or can I put a new layer over the old layer.

Also, I don't know what dissolves old paste?

Thanks for your help.

I use this stuff: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm  


Rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth of some kind.  Coffee filters usually work well and most people have them.

Clean it all off really good, apply a thin line of new paste, and slap the new heatsink on.
6/6/2013 5:31:38 AM EDT
[#9]



Quoted:



Quoted:

Unless you're overclocking or doing something processor intensive you'll probably be fine for a few days.







Thanks...........I just called a Radio Shack about 10 miles away and they have some.



I'm going to go buy some once you answer one more question please?



Do I have to remove the old hardened paste or can I put a new layer over the old layer.



Also, I don't know what dissolves old paste?



Thanks for your help.


http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_install_cpu_and_apply_thermal_paste



They make special cleaners...or...rubbing alcohol basically works. B/c yes..you need a good seal with the new paste. Same as changing out the gasket on anything else, old one has to come off for the new one.



 
6/6/2013 5:36:15 AM EDT
[#10]
Thanks guys!!

Off to Radio Shack for the Arctic Thermal Compound.
6/6/2013 5:51:22 AM EDT
[#11]
You should put new thermal grease on after scraping the old stuff off.

That being said, I have skipped that step on a ton of run of the mill Dell Optiplexes over the years, and never had a problem.
6/6/2013 6:34:47 AM EDT
[#12]
Thermal paste is on guys.

Thanks for all your help!!