Incorrectly mounted cooler the first time

[Bodine]

First time building a rig and, like a bonehead, I oriented my Arctic Freezer in the wrong direction initially. I pulled it off and replaced it in the proper direction, but do I need to reapply the thermal paste?

 

[JustStarting]

I would.

 

[bjp999]

They say that you get air bubbles if you don't. You might take some temperature readings and then reapply and take the same readings. I have yet to see anyone post real-world numbers proving that removing and reapplying the HSF raises temperatures.

 

[myocardia]

As long as you're using the MX-1 thermal compound that comes pre-applied to that heatsink, I wouldn't worry about it. It's not at all prone to air bubbles, like some compounds are.

edit: That would assume that you didn't run the system, before removing it, though.