Curse

plastichead · Apr 21, 2009, 04:05 PM // 16:05

i'm so scared guys!

i took off my processors heatsink to dust it off then put it back together, but there was thermal paste (dried) and now i'm scared to start it. what should i do??

*Darcy* · Apr 21, 2009, 04:13 PM // 16:13

Buy some new thermal paste and use it.

Snograt · Apr 21, 2009, 06:40 PM // 18:40

If you're in the USA, Arctic Silver 5 (AS5) after first cleaning off the crusty old residue with some TIM clean.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835154006

If you're in the UK, you can get the same from Maplins or any reputable etailer.

If you're elsewhere in Europe, move.

plastichead · Apr 21, 2009, 07:39 PM // 19:39

i started her up and she's been running fine i guess for the last couple hours.
i already ordered more paste tho.

Elder III · Apr 22, 2009, 06:38 PM // 18:38

I may not be reading this right, but it sounds like you are currently running your computer with either ZERO thermal paste or with Dried Thermal Paste.... if either one is the case then do this:

TURN IT OFF!!!

While your computer may run a few hours and seem fine or even a few days - it will sooner or later fry and possibly damage your entire system - irreparably. I made that mistake once when I was first learning these things and I fried a $350 mobo.... don't make my mistake - wait until the new thermal paste arrives... and be sure to clean the old stuff off well.

Good luck and have fun.

Quaker · Apr 27, 2009, 02:10 AM // 02:10

Actually, it's quite possible that you have heat-setting thermal paste between your heatsink and cpu. This is the sort of paste that usually comes pre-installed on the stock heatsink. When it is cool (especially when it's a little older) it can be very dry and brittle, but when it warms up (when the system is running) it will soften up a spread out.
It's still best, of course, that you clean off the old stuff and replace it with new paste, but if it's running without overheating, it should be ok for a while (or even longer). If you can though, check your cpu temp. It should be around 36 to 42 degrees Celsius with a stock cooler (at idle). If it's much higher, shut it down. Also, check that it doesn't get too high when running GW (or other apps).
(Check the cpu makers website for typical operating temps.)