Black spots on thermal paste.

[kyrax12]

So I removed my heatsink from the CPU and I noticed there were some black marks on the thermal paste.

Are those burn spots?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

probably not unless you accidentally used marshmallow fluff for paste. Did you order the thermo-nuclear CPU option? ignition point for thermal grease/paste is going to be more than 300c.

Might be moldy or has some particulate/dirt contamination.