Is it safe to install the HSF without thermal paste (temporarily)?

JohnJSal

JohnJSal

Active Member
Is it okay to install it without applying any paste, just to see if the pins will all snap into place? Then take it out and put the paste on?

I just want to see if it will fit without having to clean up another thermal paste mess if it doesn't. None of it's plugged in to the power (or to anything else, for that matter) yet. Just wanted to be sure that the HS making direct physical contact with the top of the CPU didn't hurt anything.
 
That's absolutely fine.

Now if you were going to turn it on, if even for a second, bad idea. Temperature can skyrocket very fast, possibly frying the chip.
 
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