Question Swapping coolers: new thermal paste?

[jhsachs]

For good and sufficient reasons, I want to swap the coolers on two motherboards. (One is LGA1155, the other LGA1150; there should be no compatibility issue.)

If I do this according to the Boy Scout manual, I'll remove both coolers, clean both coolers' thermal plates, clean both CPUs, put new thermal paste on both CPUs, and reinstall.

If I do it the quick and easy way, I'll clean nothing, put a tiny bit of extra thermal paste on each CPU, and reinstall.

I know the quick and easy way is wrong, but how wrong? Is it an obvious shortcut that won't cause any problems if I do it right, or is it a really bad idea that will get me in trouble for some reason that I'm too dumb to see?

 

[drivinfast247]

Clean off the old paste

 

[Lafong]

I know the quick and easy way is wrong, but how wrong? Is it an obvious shortcut that won't cause any problems if I do it right, or is it a really bad idea that will get me in trouble for some reason that I'm too dumb to see?

It takes 5 minutes at most to clean and reapply.

Not sure why you wouldn't do that when 5 minutes removes the risk.

 

[thx1138v2]

Since these are YOUR coolers why don't you try it quick and easy way and let us know how it works out?

 

[jhsachs]

Since the votes are 2:1 against so far, I'm inclining toward the Boy Scout method.

A couple of details, in case they change anyone's mind: both paste appllcations are fairly new (<small number of months) and they use the same kind of paste.

 

[USAFRet]

3:1 for clean and reapply.

 

[cAllen]

4:1 for clean and reapply.

 

[Math Geek]

I clean n reapply even if it's been 30 minutes. Every time you remove the cooler you need new paste. A new cooler is not even a question. Absolutely 100% you need to clean n reapply!!