Question 2 Year-old Stock Cooler Thermal Compound, AMD Ryzen 5600x with Wraith Cooler

[PhloxenMoxen]

My big question is whether it's okay to use the thermal compound already present on the stock cooler, or whether I should clean it off and apply something new. As the title says, it's the stock "Wraith" cooler which comes with the AMD 5600x. I'm not even sure what type of thermal conductor is applied. It's a thin layer which dimples when I press my nail against it, but it isn't really tacky to the touch. I was worried it might be dried out, but then I saw somewhere about phase-change thermal pads... Which, my impression is if it's something like that, then it might be perfectly fine that it isn't tacky. The more I think about it, the more I feel it would still work as designed, as the cooler was not in an airtight seal or anything. But, I'd really like some affirmation that things will be fine, or a hard warning so I can set about fixing it before I begin putting together a new PC. As mentioned in the title, the CPU and cooler were purchased two years ago, and I've only just broke the seal and opened the box.

 

[CountMike]

My big question is whether it's okay to use the thermal compound already present on the stock cooler, or whether I should clean it off and apply something new. As the title says, it's the stock "Wraith" cooler which comes with the AMD 5600x. I'm not even sure what type of thermal conductor is applied. It's a thin layer which dimples when I press my nail against it, but it isn't really tacky to the touch. I was worried it might be dried out, but then I saw somewhere about phase-change thermal pads... Which, my impression is if it's something like that, then it might be perfectly fine that it isn't tacky. The more I think about it, the more I feel it would still work as designed, as the cooler was not in an airtight seal or anything. But, I'd really like some affirmation that things will be fine, or a hard warning so I can set about fixing it before I begin putting together a new PC. As mentioned in the title, the CPU and cooler were purchased two years ago, and I've only just broke the seal and opened the box.

AMD stock coolers are made by Cooler Master and come with decent paste. no real need for change.