Advice: Artic Freezer 7 Pro

[inertiat]

I've read that the heatsink comes with thermal paste pre-applied. IS this true? If so, should I remove it and apply my own thermal paste? I thought the point of thermal paste was to apply it when it is in a liquid state so that the CPU and cooler meet properly (and to fill holes in the CPU), but if it is pre-applied, won't it be less effective?

If it is best to apply my own thermal paste, how can I remove the pre-applied stuff on the Freezer Pro? Do I even have to remove it first or could I get away putting my own stuff on there without removing it?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Tim]

The pre-applied stuff should do the job just fine.

But if you insist on using your own, you can clean the goop off with 92% iso. alcohol you can get at any drug store.

 

[inertiat]

Great, I guess I'll leave it on. Thanks for the advice!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Welcome to AT first of all.

Second, it comes pre-applied with MX-2 last I checked which is quite good enough.

 

[inertiat]

That's good to hear; just as long as it's good-quality stuff then I'm happy with it. Thanks for the welcome- I have to say this site is my favourite for PC-related articles, and looks like it'll soon be my favourite forum!

 

[PianoMan]

Welcome!

You've already made a decision, but I had the same thoughts as you awhile back. I had reapplied AS5 in place of the MX-2 on my Freezer 7 with no change in temps. The MX-2 does prove to be quite good.

The Freezer 7 is pretty damn good as well for the $$$. I eventually got a Zalman 9500 AT for more clamping force (as convenient as the pushpins are, they just don't feel as solid as they should), with about a 3-4deg C. improvement.