Thermal Paste Question

[jhwf44]

I'm not sure if this should be in the CPU section or the cooling section, but I guess I'll pose the question here.

I just built a new machine (Asus P7P55D Deluxe and i7 860). I bought it at Microcenter and they did the Post test on first boot and everything was okay. I brought it home, put it in my case and the CPU post LED lit up the first time I tried starting.

Getting worried, the first thing I tried to do was to reset the CPU. That didn't solve the problem. Then, being so excited about my new machine I noticed I forgot to plug the power into the 8-pin slot for the CPU on the motherboard....what a dumb move.

Anyway, it booted fine once I fixed that. Question is - do I need to reapply thermal paste because I reseated the CPU??? It hardly operated at all with the original seating so I'm not sure on this one...

 

[Rubycon]

For best contact - yes you should.

Removing the CPU breaks the small layer of compound between the heat spreader and bottom of the heatsink. When you re-mount you will have voids that can cause tiny hot spots.

Clean off both well using a lint free cloth (a coffee filter works nice) then clean up with 90% isopropanol (rubbing alcohol available at a drug store).

Apply the paste using either the line method outlined here:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_intel_quad_wcap.pdf

Alternatively you can apply a small dab about the size of a grain of rice in the center of the cpu. When applying the heat sink the pressure will spread this out covering the heat spreader evenly with no air gaps. This will assure lowest possible temperatures.