Do I need to repaste?

[PcmanX1]

So I applied artic silver 5 onto the processor and then pressed it down. While I was trying to screw in the hyper evo 212, it came off and the heatsink seperated from the processor.

Is the Thermal paste not going to be as effective?

 

[Muku]

Theoretically you should re apply the paste.. as removing it and again re positioning introduces a layer of air between two layers of the paste. Air being bad conductor of heat, reduces the efficiency of the paste.

But practically I've seen many builder removing the heatsink intentionally to check if the paste has spread evenly and then re position it without re applying the paste and it works fine..