Can I reuse my heatsink/fan if I add thermal paste?

[Dan7608]

My CPU's been getting too hot, around 60 degrees Celcius. There's no chasis fan, but theres a heatsink and fan with thermal tape on the CPU. What's the best method of keeping it cool.

My computer's also been freezing for a second or two some what frequently; could this be a heating problem?

P.S. I heard somewhere that you can't reuse a heatsink if you take it off to add thermal paste; is this true? And how much is another heatsink?

 

[Adul]

clean off the thermal compound and apply some AS2. you can reuse the heatsink has manytimes has you want.

BTW add a chasis fan ASAP>.

 

[MichaelD]

^^What he said.^^ Make sure you remove ALL the old paste from both the bottom of the HS and the cpu itself.

 

[Mavrick007]

Make sure you clean off the cpu very well too. Use acetone (nail polish remover) and gently rub it all off the cpu and hsf. Then put some more heat compound,like AS II, on it and you're all set to go. Hehe You might want to add at least one or more chassis fans as well blowing across the cpu socket.

 

[Patchmaster]

While 60C is a bit hotter than you'd like to see, it shouldn't be hot enough to cause problems for the CPU unless you're overclocking. The lack of a case fan may be causing heat problems with another component. I'd suggest adding a case fan (or two) as a first step. It will be a lot easier than trying to remove the mess created by the thermal tape. If the fans don't do the job, then try a better thermal compound between the heatsink and CPU.

 

[flyerI]

This link will take you to alist of AMD documents that will tell you about CPU and system cooling. You didn't say if you had a AMD processor but the info is still good. You don't have to have Artic Silver but if youclean the bottom of the HS and the top of the CPU you can use white thermal grease. Just put a small pea size drop on the core and spread it evenly. There is no need to get high tech about this. If you use Artic Silver you need to look at their website because it does need to be applied properly. Link