thermal interface material

opps... I am putting together a celeron computer for somebody and when I was closing the clamp on the cpu... I accidentally touched the blue thermal stuff on the center with my thumb as the clamp went down. I only touched the dead center, so only a real little bit was touched... but should I go get some of that alluminum stuff to put on or should it be ok? I want to get this put together now and nobody that I know of sells it in town, so I may need to order it online.

 

Should matter much if there was enough to refill in. If in doubt pull it off and look, if it's spread evenly should be fine.

 

Most is spread evenly, but there is a spot in the dead center that is 2mm x 4mm and has absolutely nothing on it.

 

Guess I would buy some thermal grease, no good, core is small enough the way it is, if there are openings in the material it won't conduct heat.

 

They guy I talked to at the only store that sells any kind of thermal compound in town said it should be fine... but I'm thinking your right. It wouldn't hurt to put something else on... better to be safer than sorry. Thanks brian.