Safe for the hardware if I apply a new coat of cpu cooler?

Underwhelming

My buddy gave me his old machine. I got a replacement mobo (Same exact kind) and I'm gonna swap everything else over to it, including the CPU. The heatsink/fan came off and I'm just wondering if it's okay to apply a new coat and call that good? Or should I scrape off the old stuff first? Or what?

Thanks in advance!

Madpanda

Get the old stuff off first.

Coffee filters are actually pretty useful for this as they don't leave little fibres.

I personally use an antec solution for removing cpu cooler, but I think there are a few things that you can get from a walgreens or something that would work.

Fantasma

Carburator cleaner can do wonders removing the old coat.

Ruckus

Get all the old goo off, and remember, when applying the new stuff, you really need very little. Like a rice grain sized schploot in the middle, and then use a toothpick or something to spread it out a bit.

Thermal grease is only there to fill in the imperfections in the surfaces, what you really want is as much direct surface to surface contact as possible.

TychoCelchuuu

99% isopropyl alcohol plus cue tips wrapped in coffee filters are what I use.

Spudge

Isopropyl alcohol and kimwipes (or a coffee filter too I guess). It's what the professionals use

PROTIP: Use a flat blade spudger (or piece of firm plastic like a credit card) to remove the majority of the thermal paste before you go spreading it around with alcohol and paper. It'll make a much cleaner R&R

shutz

A guitar pick is great for spreading new thermal compund and shaving the excess amount.

Tofystedeth

Ruckus wrote: »

Get all the old goo off, and remember, when applying the new stuff, you really need very little. Like a rice grain sized schploot in the middle, and then use a toothpick or something to spread it out a bit.

Thermal grease is only there to fill in the imperfections in the surfaces, what you really want is as much direct surface to surface contact as possible.

Yeah, the most common mistake people make is way too much grease.

Spudge

shutz wrote: »

A guitar pick is great for spreading new thermal compund and shaving the excess amount.

I've never spread the compound before and I swap at least 30 procs per day

not a bad idea though

Ruckus

Spudge wrote: »

shutz wrote: »

A guitar pick is great for spreading new thermal compund and shaving the excess amount.

I've never spread the compound before and I swap at least 30 procs per day

not a bad idea though

Most of the time the heat and compression over a 24-48 hour burn in would do the same thing, but I prefer to get mine as close to optimal as possible right off that bat.