CPU Heatsink and ventilator how to put it back

EmielBakkur

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May 7, 2016
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I took my heatsink and ventilator out of my pc to clean both parts. Im wondering if I need to use thermal paste. Or just screw things back but I don't know how to do it. Here are some images. Any instructions how to install it aggain? :)

https://imgur.com/a/RRwUb
 
You definitely need to clean the processor and heatsink off. Remove ALL the Thermal Interface Material (TIM)(Thermal Paste), and apply more. You always need TIM when applying a heatsink.

Apply a DROP of TIM....slightly smaller than a pea sized drop right in center of processor, then apply your heatsink to the processor. Do not release the pressure when applying the heatsink, after you have seated it. Screw in your heatsink or tighten it like you would tighten a tire.
 
You should ABSOLUTELY need to re-apply new thermal paste or you will fry your cpu. First of all you should clean the cpu from the remainings of that old thermal paste with a soft clothing. Then re-apply new thermal paste. For AMD, it is better to draw an X across the cpu to cover all cores. Do not overdo it, you should build a very thin layer of thermal paste between your cpu and the heatsink.
How to assembly: You can see north and south of your cpu two grips. This is where your locking clip is put, with the lever being south. See an example here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzZQgJDyzGI
 

therealduckofdeath

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Yes you need thermal compound paste or it'll only cool at a fraction of its capabilities. It's not going to destroy your computer if you don't, it'll just struggle more with overheating. Especially on hot summer nights... You can buy the thermal paste at amazon for a few dollars if you don't have a suitable computer store near you.
Anyhoo, wipe both the cooler and the surface on the CPU all clean, (dry) kitchen paper works fine for that. For mounting the cooler, I suggest you dig out the old manual for the cooler, if you have it. The plastic lever has an open and closed side, so you basically attach the hinges of the fan onto your motherboard first and the close the lever to tighten it.
 

EmielBakkur

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So thermal paste off heatsink and cpu then add paste then stick heatsink on it. Then put hinges of fan on those install plugs. And use lever to tigthen. Should i do anything else with those install plugs?
 

therealduckofdeath

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Just make sure it's plugged into the right connector on the motherboard. The one for the CPU fan. :)
Anyhoo, I just got another flashback to the fan type. Make 100% sure the fan is seated properly on top of the CPU before you tighten the lever. That design can put a lot of crushing pressure on the processor if it's mounted wrong.
Dry kitchen paper work fine. You don't risk damaging anything and the ruggedness of kitchen paper wipes surprisingly well on a flat metal surface.
 

EmielBakkur

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You mean with 100% seated as in like it is fully attached to the thermal paste ?
Because heatsink will be attached to thermal paste and ventilator is screwed in the heatsink.
 

therealduckofdeath

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I mean properly seated so it won't tighten onto the CPU at an angle.
That paste looks good to me. You can check a few youtube videos on how to apply the paste best. just apply it to the CPU and spread it out a little before fitting the cooler.
 
You may want to use some canned air (or compressed air if you have access to it) to blow the dust out of your heatsink and fan, while you have it out of the system. If you've already reinstalled the heatsink then you can still blow it out. This will improve airflow and heat transfer. Hold the fan blades in place while your dusting so that you don't accidentally damage the fan.
 

EmielBakkur

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Last question. I took the cpu heatsink and ventilator out because the ventilator was making noise. So i cleaned it but how do I find out if it is fixed before i use the paste. Or does it not matter?