Question CPU cooling help please!!!

[JJBINKS01]

I was installing a new CPU and the Ryzen Wraith Spire cooler(which has a pre-applied patch of thermal paste) and when I got the cooler on I realized that it was upside down..so I unlatched it and pulled it off(it took a tad bit of force) and when it came off there was thermal paste on the cooler and the CPU and I put the cooler back on....Should I go back and remove the paste and reapply new paste or is it good? (Note: the new CPU and cooler has not been powered...just built. ) Thank You!

 

[Phaaze88]

You should always remove old and apply new whenever you separate the heatsink from the cpu.
Not doing so will introduce air pockets, causing higher temps.

 

[Starcruiser]

Not only will that reduce cooling efficiency, in extreme cases the air pockets can expand and explode or otherwise damage the cpu with hot spots.

You're probably better off getting a different thermal compound anyway, the stock pad is usually low grade stuff.

 

[Phaaze88]

the stock paste is usually low grade stuff.

Not true, and not as significant of a difference compared to the heatsink itself:
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-comparison,5108-9.html