Hello. My PSU recently died and because of the way the case is designed, I had to remove the CPU fan and heatsink to slip the PSU out that way. My question is, do I need to reapply any thermal paste before clipping the heatsink and fan back on? The paste on it before I removed it is still there but do I need to scrape it off and add some more or will it be fine reattaching it to the current paste. Kind of like taking an oreo apart and putting it back together. The best analogy I can think of at the moment. Asus K8V-X Athlon 64 2800+ ATI AIW 9600XT 512 PC3200 20 Gig Maxtor & 80 SATA HD's HP CD-RW LG DVD

Yes, you do need to clean and apply heatsink compound. This recent thread covers it. http://computing.net/cpus/wwwboard/forum/11181.html Response number three. Yes, it's like the OREO with new icing. Skip

Yes, You defiantly do need to replace the thermal grease. The old grease will have lost some of its "elasticity" and will not be able to do its job. Before you apply the new grease ensure that all trace of the old grease is remove from both the heat-sink and the CPU. Use some denatured alcohol. Do not scrape the heat-sink with a knife. Scratches on the heat-sink will reduce its ability to transfer heat. When you apply the grease only put on enough to make a thin film on the central core of the CPU. Spread it out with a credit card and remove any excess. Stuart

I've found that using the short side of a cardboard business card works better than a hard plastic credit card. Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz 512MB PC3200 Asus Ti4200 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro

Do most computer shops sell this paste? Any idea what it costs approximately??? Thanks Asus K8V-X Athlon 64 2800+ ATI AIW 9600XT 512 PC3200 20 Gig Maxtor & 80 SATA HD's HP CD-RW LG DVD

You can get the generic stuff for about 2 bucks from radio shack. Arctic Silver is available at most computer shops and will cost from about 8 to 12 dollars. Skip

And just to throw in 2cents worth of old cliche about the exception proving the rule, I've removed my HSF from a P4 in order to clean the crap out of the fan and heatsink fins. Didn't have any fresh compound so just put it back together. Guess what.... Idle temperature is about 25DegC. Loaded up it gets to a whopping 35. Been purring along for about three months since the cleanout. Nearly time for another spring clean. I will re-do the compound next time. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and his wife will never forgive you.