New thermal compound on North/South bridge?

[Jiffyman]

My north/south bridge is running hotter than it used to. It's not running dangerously hot. but it is quite a bit hotter 25c about 2-3 years ago, now it's 35c. I've heard that the chips are extreamly delicate underneath the heatsinks. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to apply new compound or just leave it alone. I am hoping I can get some advice quick, as I have the mainboard out of the system now awaiting an answer.

 

[bomberboysk]

Go ahead, as long as the heatsinks are held on with clips or screws and not by some type of thermal epoxy/adhesive you'll be fine. Make sure to clean the dust from the heatsinks while you're at it

 

[sumesh50]

ya heat sink is the write option to reduse the temperature

 

[Jiffyman]

Thanks for your input guys. I was kinda scared too because I'm using Arctic Silver... Probably should've mentioned that. I went ahead with it and somehow my northbridge ended up running hotter! It was really a pain to get the ceramic crude off of north; it had dried to the core of the chip and I had to scrape it off with my finger nail. I'm gonna again try a lil later on and redo it, if the temps haven't dropped after it's had time to cure. Thanks again guys.