Moving a CPU with stock cooler from one motherboard to another, do I need to apply thermal paste?

[Nasric]

I'd prefer to do this today because Im leaving the state for vacation soon, but I cannot for the life of me find any store that actually sells thermal paste. I'm moving the CPU from one board to another and it's seen some use, but do I need to apply thermal paste if it was originally pre-applied?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Yes you do.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Thermal Compound: ARCTIC MX4 4g Thermal Paste ($6.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $6.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-16 19:07 EDT-0400

 

[lakimens]

Yes, it's preferable to reapply thermal paste when removing cooler.
It attracts dust and other stuff that is bad for it.

 

[beyondlogic]

I'd prefer to do this today because Im leaving the state for vacation soon, but I cannot for the life of me find any store that actually sells thermal paste. I'm moving the CPU from one board to another and it's seen some use, but do I need to apply thermal paste if it was originally pre-applied?

yes you do always you must clean the cooler and reapply new paste you must be always clean the cpu cooler and chip first also before applying new paste a good cleaner isopropyl alcohol 99percent and cotton buds works well for this