Replacing Motherboard ? need new thermal compound?

[Rhythmdvl]

This is probably a very simple question, but I?ve never been in this situation before and don?t want to overlook something so basic.

After cobbling together a handful of new bits, there was a hardware fault in the motherboard. I pulled the CPU (E2180) and the cooling fan (stock), and they?re sitting on the shelf waiting for Newegg to ship the new board.

When the board arrives, should I add a bit of thermal compound, or will the amount still left on the two surfaces be sufficient?

Thanks,

Rhythm

 

[AmberClad]

You should clean off the old residue and reapply fresh thermal compound. Reason being that now that you've separated the CPU and the heatsink, you can't put the heatsink back on without tiny air pockets in the thermal compound.

It's not 100% mandatory, especially with a cool-running CPU like a E2180 - I've been lazy before and didn't bother to reapply the compound because I was just testing the board and CPU on my desk. But if you can, you should because otherwise it'll negatively affect the contact between the CPU and heatsink.

 

[Rhythmdvl]

Thanks -- I was worried about deterioration, I completely overlooked something like air pockets -- thanks!

 

[Zepper]

Cleaning off the old and putting new TIM on is a best practice.

.bh.