Do I really need to re apply CPU paste even if its never been powered on?

[john52200]

Got a CPU and a board however I ended up getting another board on sale but the first one the core i3 and heatsink was already installed but nothing was ever turned on.

Do I really need to reapply this thermal paste? does it really cause air bubbles? any proof and benchmark to show that this causes an issue?

If the temps raise, by how much will it raise?

 

[Gam3r01]

You should still reapply the paste, theres no specific benchmark I can give you, but logically it makes sense.
When you remove the cooler it will disrupt the paste, and upon reinstalling it will trap air. Air acts as an insulator, thus raising temps.

The amount increased depends on how much air gets trapped. Overall, spend the 4-6 bucks to get new paste and save yourself the potential thermal performance.

 

[cub_fanatic]

Got a CPU and a board however I ended up getting another board on sale but the first one the core i3 and heatsink was already installed but nothing was ever turned on.

Do I really need to reapply this thermal paste? does it really cause air bubbles? any proof and benchmark to show that this causes an issue?

If the temps raise, by how much will it raise?

Any time you pull the heat sink off of a CPU, even if it was never powered on, it is recommended that you clean it off and put fresh paste on. A tube of Arctic Silver isn't really that expensive and it isn't that time consuming to wipe it off and put it on again so you might as well do it. If you don't plan on doing that, then if anything, make sure none of it has spilled onto the board at least and do not put more on top of the old stuff because if it is too much it will seep out the sides of the heat sink and get on the socket and board. Just put new past on...

 

[Ra_V_en]

As said above there is no need to prove anything in this conditions. Lack of thermal paste or lack of partial cover is the first idea which comes to mind when someone is whining about high temps despite fair cooling.
Now don't get me wrong, you might be lucky or not, but this recommendations is just playing safe and minimizing the trouble in the future and as also stated above considering the overall cost of such investigation there is no point of debate is worth or not.

 

[DiegoD]

Just removing the cpu cooler is reason to replace the compound.

If you're worried about the trouble of removing it don't it's really simple. Get some rubbing alcohol 70% works but Isopropyl (99%) is the best. Apply some alcohol to a paper towel, I prefer to use a coffee filter, and rub in circles. After the paper or filter becomes too dirty grab a new piece and repeat until the compound is all gone.

Don't forget to clean the old compound on the CPU cooler too.

 

[cub_fanatic]

Just removing the cpu cooler is reason to replace the compound.

If you're worried about the trouble of removing it don't it's really simple. Get some rubbing alcohol 70% works but Isopropyl (99%) is the best. Apply some alcohol to a paper towel, I prefer to use a coffee filter, and rub in circles. After the paper or filter becomes too dirty grab a new piece and repeat until the compound is all gone.

Don't forget to clean the old compound on the CPU cooler too.

I usually just wipe as much of it off as I can with a dry paper towel first and then use the rubbing alcohol to get the residue off. Also, don't forget the bottom of the heat sink.

 

[DiegoD]

Just removing the cpu cooler is reason to replace the compound.

If you're worried about the trouble of removing it don't it's really simple. Get some rubbing alcohol 70% works but Isopropyl (99%) is the best. Apply some alcohol to a paper towel, I prefer to use a coffee filter, and rub in circles. After the paper or filter becomes too dirty grab a new piece and repeat until the compound is all gone.

Don't forget to clean the old compound on the CPU cooler too.

I usually just wipe as much of it off as I can with a dry paper towel first and then use the rubbing alcohol to get the residue off. Also, don't forget the bottom of the heat sink.

Thanks for the tip I'll try that out next time.