Thermal Paste

[hellspawn]

Just want to see what you guys reckon is the best thing to do..

when putting together a PC, do you like to wipe off the heat sink strip and then use your thermal paste that you buy in the tube, or you don't use thermal paste and just use the heat sink strip which it comes with?

[RetepNamenots]

If you don't use thermal paste you're a [Nice Person], you'll just overheat your CPU within seconds.

[bigballa43791]

well um that depends if you used the stock intel cooler that come with the thermal paste already on it

[cool_clint_15]

If you don't use thermal paste you're a [Nice Person], you'll just overheat your CPU within seconds.

ooo retepnamenots that was a great replacement of words you did!!! hahaha "nice person" and it all depends on what you have done do you plan on getting a big heat sink?? if so just go head and buy the good thermal paste but if your using the stock fan then just stay with it

[hellspawn]

i usually use thermal paste, but was just interested in everyones ideas :)

[Sir Mandrake]

Building a standard PC I usualy go with the paste thats on the Heatsink and be done with it. If you are concerned about keeping the processor cooler I would buy good compound with silver. Everytime I remove a heatsink, I always clean off the old compound from the heatsink and processor and replace with fresh compound.

[kbarn021]

A *very* popular brand is the Arctic Silver 5..known to actually decrease your CPU temp by a few degrees celcius.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_amd_dual_wcap.pdf

Even if you dont use arctic silver 5, its a good guide for applying a new thermal paste / removing the old goop that came with your heatsink.

[Razorii]

Every Boxed CPU I've bought during the past few solar cycles has come with a layer of factory applied thermal paste on the HSF you could mire a yak in... What are they tring to do, insulate the CPU?

I always clean their goop off and apply a paper thing layer of Arctic Silver 5. All you need is enough to fill the inevitable air gaps that result from imperfections in the manufacturing and machining processes.

[GammaRay]

Another thought, Is it depends on what after market CPU cooler you buy. As some of them do put on better paste than others. I recently bought an Artic Freezer Pro that already had some better than average thermal paste on it. If you are overclocking alot, Its probably a good idea to opt for the Artic Silver especially if using the stock cooler.

[Retell]

I think I have the generic BestBuy brand on my 4400 x2 :P

[GammaRay]

I think I have the generic BestBuy brand on my 4400 x2 :P

Hope it wasnt made by Elmers :p