Question thermal paste

[ds3439]

I had to take the Cooler off the motherboard which has exposed the CPU, will i need to reapply the thermal paste?

 

[InvalidError]

If the paste has been on there for a while, the silicone oil will have oozed out of it from pressure and thermal cycling which will prevent it from making good contact when you put the HSF back on, Factory-applied pastes tend to have lower oil content and not be reusable. Fresh aftermarket paste can usually be reused with minimal performance loss.