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Building a Computer Right Now (A64)

H

Huskiez

Junior Member
Hi,

I have a real simple question about thermal grease. I did a search but was still not sure as people talked about it but didn't answer the exact question.

I am a first time builder, building the computer as we speak (about to take a small dinner break), with a retail A64 3200+. I opened up the package, and it has a processor and heat sink attached to the fan.

I have been reading so much about applying thermal grease, but all that was in the package were those two items.

Do I need to buy thermal grease separately? Or do I just put the processor on the mobo, and then heatsink on the processor?

Thanks so much.
 
I'm not sure if retail AMD heatsinks come with a thermal pad... (just look under the heatsink, is there a little piece of tape?)

If there's nothing there and it's only metal, then yes you need to apply thermal grease on the CPU.
 
My retail A64 hsf had a square of gray thermal grease already applied...I think they are supposed to.
 
If you're not OC'ing (or living in Death Valley) then the stock heatsink should be fine. As others said, there should be a thermal pad (either grey or pinkish gunk) on the heat sink. Just remember to remove the plastic that protects it. DO NOT get it dirty. So don't remove the protective plastic on it until you are ready to install the cpu and heatsink on your motherboard. Also, it's a good idea to get some rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab (Qtip) and clean the surface of the cpu to remove any dust and grease that might have gotten there from handling. After that is done install your heatsink onto your cpu. NOTE:

If you for some reason need to remove your heatsink from your computer, it is at that time recommended that you not re-use the same thermal pad. At that point you should spring for some thermal grease which should cost you under $10 and last you a long time.
 
A lot of people here are raving about the thermal pad that comes with the stock HSF on the athlon64's. It's supposed to be pretty good stuff.
 
Thanks guys, I set up the processor fine onto the motherboard using the thermal grease supplied with the retail CPU. I am getting frustrated now on a different part of the computer building process. New topic coming soon.
 
I am building a computer right now with an Athlon64 3500+ and I have more or less the same question that the person who originally started this thread had.... I'm a tad confused, when I've built computers in the past and I applied thermal grease to the heatsink/cpu I would put it on and wipe it all off again essentially so that there was just barely a film of grease between the CPU and the heatsink. Now, the heatsink that came with the retail CPU has got this grey square of grease already applied. How do I install with that, do I just stick it on as it is or do I have to actually rub that in/wipe it off or maybe I should just wipe it clean and go buy some thermal grease of my own....

Any suggestions?

-Jeff
 
just stick it on, it already has the proper amount and is in the right place. no need to make it harder than it is.
 
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