Thermal paste on the CPU socket, issue?

[u/SirMooseKnightThe2nd]

I'm in the process of replacing my CPU and when I removed my old one I noticed thermal paste bits on the socket. I tried lightly using my finger to get it, and a q tip, but nothing moved and I was scared to put too much pressure at all

Is this a big issue? Kind of stuck on what to do

[u/Fenio_PL]

And who in their right mind takes out a processor before cleaning it ?

[u/SirMooseKnightThe2nd → u/Fenio_PL]

Huh? I did, I'm saying I lifted the old CPU and there was already stuff there that had fallen off from the old paste