CPU Cooler Scratches Dell Optiplex 7000 MT

@Missouri_Dad  It'll work just fine with good thermal paste.  Dot it on the plate like the 5 of dice.

Agreed with Brad and Red, thermal paste will fill in the gaps so should be perfectly fine here. 

What are your guys' thoughts on a light sanding or polishing some super sandpaper or a jewelry polishing cloth? I guess the real concern was is there anything in those copper pipes that's going to leak out?

@Missouri_Dad​ I wouldn't recommend it as you may make the surface more uneven, further reducing the seal when mounted. While thermal paste may fill in the gaps a bit, I think this would result in worse thermal performance if sanded. Pretty unlikely you'd get to a point to cause a leak as well. 

I agree with Dell Daniel.  Sanding would be counterproductive attempt to make the copper plate “smoother” when in fact it would produce a more extensive scratched surface. 

Minor scratches on a CPU cooler's copper base are usually nothing to worry about and generally won't affect cooling performance. What matters most is that the surface is still flat and you apply a fresh, even layer of thermal paste before reinstalling the cooler. If the scratches are shallow and you can't feel deep grooves with your fingernail, the cooler should perform normally. However, if there are deep gouges, dents, or an uneven surface that prevents good contact with the CPU, cooling efficiency could be reduced. If you're unsure, sharing a clear photo of the copper base would help assess its condition more accurately.