Reseating the Wraith Stealth cooler on AMD Ryzen 5 3600 five minutes after seating it for the first time

mstest on 01/06/2021 - 10:08
Last edited 01/06/2021 - 10:16

Hi fellow Ozbargainers,

I just completed (almost) a PC build last night (https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/H3wDgt) and made a mistake when placing the standard AMD heatsink/fan assembly (Wraith Stealth) on the processor, Ryzen 5 3600.

After placing the Wraith Stealth and tightening the four screws, I couldn't seat the RAM sticks (Micro-ATX) as the AMD logo on top of the fan casing protrudes and sticks out slightly on one side taking extra space and blocking RAM module's headroom on the motherboard (ASRock B550M-HDV). I tried to seat the RAM stick and realized that it would be almost impossible to seat it because of the protruding AMD logo blocking the area just above the RAM module. These RAM sticks also happen to be slightly thicker (G.Skill Ripjaw modules).

So, after about 5 minutes, I removed the heatsink/fan assembly, changed its orientation so the AMD logo points towards the IO Panel and then reseated it. I was then able to seat both the memory modules without any trouble. When I removed the heatsink (after seating it for the first time), I could see the thermal paste was spread over the processor and it looked a little fresh (wet). I simply reseated the heatsink as is after changing its orientation and then tightened the screws to secure it in place again.

Is this (reseating) going to be a problem in terms of CPU cooling/performance? Should I remove the heatsink/fan assembly, apply fresh thermal paste and then re-seat it?

I saw a couple of videos on Youtube before doing Ryzen 5 and B550 builds and unfortunately none of the videos seemed to mention this subtlety; presumably, because they were using standard ATX motherboards and cases as opposed to micro-ATX. I have also tried to search on the Internet but can't seem to find anything for my particular scenario.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Computing

Comments

  • shaz0316 on 01/06/2021 - 10:15
    +8

    I don't think it would be an issue but if you are concerned just check your CPU temps when you turn on the computer.

    • mstest on 01/06/2021 - 10:19

      Thanks, I was also inclined to think the same because I haven't yet turned on the computer but didn't want to take any chances.

      • freefall101 on 01/06/2021 - 10:54
        +2

        Just don't run a stress test, let it run for a couple of minutes and slowly give it something to do (run a video or something) and watch the temps.

        I've accidentally put on a heatsink without any thermal material at all, it's not a problem (until I stress tested it for 10 minutes and it hit 90C). All it does is fill any imperfections between the CPU and the heatsink to ensure maximum heat transfer. Softening it and moving it around is probably better for it if anything.

  • zrmx on 01/06/2021 - 10:58
    +3

    It'll be okay to turn on and have a check.

    If things aren't right, the CPU will just run hot and eventually power down, unlikely to do much damage. I used too little thermal paste previously that the CPU will just run to 90+C very quickly upon booting and throttle. Easily observable via monitoring software e.g. HWINFO64, and if you do see it, then re-paste.

    Also regarding the AMD shroud of the Wraith Stealth cooler, if it becomes an issue in the future, you can actually take the shroud off. It's purely cosmetic and has no other purposes. A video here by PCPartPicker if you need any manoeuvring of the fan: https://youtu.be/9M2-UIwWguw?t=76

    • mstest on 01/06/2021 - 11:18

      Thanks that video was helpful, I could have easily just removed the shroud without having to do anything else! Never mind.

  • ComputerPC on 01/06/2021 - 11:47
    +2

    Not related to the question but the Wraith Stealth CPU cooler is ok but noisy. If you want something better for the CPU definitely invest in $30 CPU cooler.

    • mstest on 01/06/2021 - 11:58

      Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I am guessing the fan speed will be controllable or is auto controlled depending on the CPU load, I don't plan to do any gaming or anything really that will push the processor to its limits so I'm hoping the noise may not be too bad.

  • scrimshaw on 01/06/2021 - 12:22
    +3

    When the thermal paste is still fresh (liquid) you don't need to re-apply the paste if you screw up the installation. The action of putting the heatsink on the CPU (even for the second time) will just squish / flatten and redistribute the paste evenly, although there now might be a very small amount of air trapped inside the paste.

    The temperature difference is likely insignificant but if you are concerned about temperature & acoustics in the first place, you wouldn't be using stock AMD cooling and it's stock thermal paste :P

    • mstest on 01/06/2021 - 13:04

      Thanks, good to know.

  • Fergy1987 on 01/06/2021 - 14:32

    I thought you could just unclip the fan assembly without having to remove the cooler? or even just spin the bracket with the AMD logo - I'm sure I've seen that

    I think you'll be fine though

    • mstest on 01/06/2021 - 20:48

      Yep, I didn't know about spinning/removing the bracket at the time.

  • Hybroid on 01/06/2021 - 14:34

    Reseating it is perfectly fine but you should be replacing the Wraith Stealth cooler with a better unit and better thermal paste anyway.

    • mstest on 01/06/2021 - 20:49

      Agree! I'll leave that for future.

  • vince088 on 01/06/2021 - 21:46

    Just check your temps, the stock cooler isn't very good.

    At idle I expect around 35-45 degrees & gaming 60-80 degrees.

    • mstest on 02/06/2021 - 20:23

      Checked temperatures today a number of times and it stayed between 30 to 45 C. I tried "gaming" (Solitaire on Windows 10 - God, Solitaire looks so much different now!) and didn't really notice any difference in CPU temperatures (lol). I also tried Google Earth in the browser (Firefox) for a while trying to "stress test" and perhaps that made a tiny bit of a difference, but nothing significant!

      • vince088 on 02/06/2021 - 20:33

        mine idles now at 28-30 degrees with cheap $50 cooler

        try this instead, run cinebench r23 benchmark tool

        https://www.maxon.net/en/downloads/cinebench-r23-downloads/

        • mstest on 02/06/2021 - 21:46

          Thanks,

          Tried Cinebench and ran the multicore test for 10 minutes, the temperature peaked at 85-86 and the maximum temperature was 87 but not for long. Interestingly, the fan noise wasn't even loud at all (CPU fan was running at around 2500 RPM during the test), the case has three chassis fans in it as well and only two are connected. I'm surprised how silent this thing runs even when under load, if I do the same thing on my Macbook Pro, the fan goes nuts and its significantly louder as well.

          The single core test pushed the temperature to about 55 max.

          • vince088 on 02/06/2021 - 21:57

            @mstest: those temps are normal for stock cooler, but too hot for my mindset lol.

            with my cheapo cooler I ran this test for 10 mins also, max temp 67 degrees.

            You should be fine for now, but in the long run as fans and heatsink collect dust those temps would rise more.
            Clean your computer at least once every 6-12 months you should be ok

            ps. install CoreTemp, so you can monitor your temps on the system tray bottom right all the time

          • zrmx on 03/06/2021 - 07:38
            +1

            @mstest: Yup those temps look standard with the stock cooler, and really it is fine and sufficient especially if you are happy with the acoustic/noise level.

  • Transient on 01/06/2021 - 23:24
    +1

    I actually did that many years ago when installing an i5 4690. Still works fine today though due for an upgrade (waiting to see if intel 12th gen is any good). Main concern is whether removing and affixing the CPU causes any air bubbles in the thermal adhesive so the heat sink is not properly contacting the CPU causing hot spots. So as advised above, check temps. Not too hard applying new adhesive and reaffixing CPU. Good luck!

  • the Unforgiven on 02/06/2021 - 19:42
    +1

    If you are not going to OC the CPU, it should be fine.
    If you are going to OC the CPU, get a D15 from Noctua :)
    https://i.imgur.com/hE3hUtU.jpg

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