CPU and Heatsink setup question

[elonm]

I recently purchased a retail AMD Opty 165. The CPU comes with a heatsink. The heatsink appears to have pre-applied heatsink compound on the bottom (grey sticky material).

My question is: Is it safe to just use the pre-applied compound or should I buy some and apply it (or replace it).

That heatsink is quite the monster.

Thanks for the advice.

David

 

[strummer]

You have an Opteron so I'm assuming you're going to OC it. If you're going to push the upper edge of the envelope then you should probably upgrade from your stock heatsink (I'm going through the same thing right now).

If you are planning on using the stock heat sink, I would still suggest replacing the stock thermal pad with Artic Silver 5 (which can be bought at CompUSA and most resellers. Search the forums for the correct application techniques. It is important that you don't over apply the AS5, and it is very important that you remove the stock pad completely (like not even a trace remaining).

regards

 

[elonm]

Thanks for the info Strummer. I do plan on OC, but not for a bit. I think I will see what temps I get using normal clocks and then upgrade to a better HS once I start pushing the envelope a bit more.

Thanks,

David

 

[strummer]

You're welcome.