[SOLVED] Do i need to clean thermal paste from heatsink before add new paste ?

[PeyoteFTW]

I just bought heatsink lga775 for my core 2 duo. It turns out that heatsink already has a little thermal paste. Do I need to clean the thermal paste on the heatsink before adding a new thermal paste or maybe I don't need to add thermal paste at all and just install the heatsink right away?

 

[R_1]

that is the factory applied paste.
if it is liquid and easily flows, apply the cooler and enjoy. if the paste has cured overtime and thickened and does not easily spread, remove it and apply more.

 

[CountMike]

I just bought heatsink lga775 for my core 2 duo. It turns out that heatsink already has a little thermal paste. Do I need to clean the thermal paste on the heatsink before adding a new thermal paste or maybe I don't need to add thermal paste at all and just install the heatsink right away?

CLEAN it !! No ifs or buts !

 

[Deleted member 2720853]

That is factory applied, if it's still good, place the heatsink. And note that every time you take off the CPU cooler to clean the dust, you will have to clean the paste off both the heatsink and CPU with isopropyl alcohol (don't take the CPU out of the socket) and reapply the paste, otherwise the cooler will be next to useless.

 

[eatatefood]

Thats factory applied thermal paste. You do not need to clean it and apply a new one if its still good.