Can thermal grease on RAM's connectors cause damage?

[loletz]

Hello,

is it possible to damage the RAM stick by inserting it into MOBO slot while there is an thermal grease smudge on the RAM's connectors?

That's basically what happened to me. After installing a new ram stick, the computer keeps turning on and off in like 5s intervals. After unplugging the new stick, I noticed there is some amount of cheap silver thermal grease smudged over the connectors. Cleaning didn't help. Any other stick works fine in this slot, so I'm sure it's not a mobo issue. The second stick of the new pair works fine, so it's neither a compatibility issue.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

Yes it can damage both the RAM stick and your motherboard. Most thermal paste are actually conducting and can also cause corrosion to the pins.