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Should I clean and re-apply thermal paste to my CPU every time I remove the heatsink? It's a bother to remove and re-apply it, plus I wonder if having fresh paste is worth the risk of handling the CPU (even properly grounded). Does it really matter if I just remount the heatsink with the existing paste?

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Why do you keep removing the heatsink? – Daniel R Hicks Feb 6 '12 at 1:40
@DanH Vigorous movement seems to jar it loose, so I have to remove it and remount it occasionally ... – C. Ross Feb 6 '12 at 2:03
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Then the question is why is the computer being shaken so hard that the heatsink actually comes loose? They are specifically designed to hold tight against the CPU. Consider checking if it is correctly attached (eg tabs are all in place/screws are screwed down/etc. depending on what socket CPU it is). – Synetech Feb 6 '12 at 2:13
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Ah okay, I see. Then your priority should probably be to get a new heatsink, otherwise you’ll just end up wasting a lot of thermal compound, really quickly (which will end up more expensive than a new heatsink). Also, check local classifieds (especially online ones like Kijiji/eBay Classifieds) to see if anyone in town as one they can give you for free or a couple of bucks). – Synetech Feb 6 '12 at 20:00
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Depending on the type of paste it can be re-used reliably. – Moab Feb 7 '12 at 0:29
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I use the thin spread method, if the paste is still in good shape, I just re-spread it really thin again, cleanup any small ammounts of goop comming out the sides, and squish it back down again. If it is aged, looking dry, hardening or the cpu did not remove easily , then it is time to refresh it.

Because I will check the "seating" and the metal to metal contact and lean and pressure , by testing it , I get oppertunity to reuse it. When there is a lot of Time that it is removed for, I cover both sides with plastic, then when it is about to go back together, I decide then if I am going to refresh it or not.

There are different themal interfaces that act, and are different, some are not reusable. There is also the thermal setting/shifting, I figure if it "thermally" changed once and I can get it in place again, it can thermally change again :-) . I have not had any problems re-using the normal stuff they sell us.

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