Would it be okay to reuse a thermal pad?

[Crescent13]

Was cleaning out my PS2 and noticed how horribly they had the thermal pad seated (yes i'm a nerd). I removed it and cleaned off the HSF and CPU with 91% rubbing alcohol, and I was about to put the pad back on (in a better position than sony originally had it), but I thought I should ask you guys if you think it would be safe.

 

[Mogadon]

It'll probably be fine but if you have any AS5, or other thermal compound, lying around you'd be better off using that.

And yes good sir, I concur, you are a nerd ...

 

[Matthias99]

No. You should replace it with a new thermal pad or paste, after cleaning the residue of the old one off the heatsink (which it sounds like you already did).

Replacing the old one will invariably give a poor mating with the surface on one or both sides. It might still work OK, but it would not be making contact as well as it was designed to do.

 

[Jiggz]

NO! Go ahead invest in a new thermal paste or get a new thermal pad.