Do I need thermal paste for my new build?

[MathWiz579]

Parts for my new build are being delivered today. Didn't order thermal paste but I'm wondering if it's necessary or would be a good idea for my build:

- GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
- AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX
- XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
- SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
- G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B
- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
- LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30
- CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
- COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I'm not planning to overclock, at least to start out with. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

 

[MykC]

The cooler will have thermal paste with it.

 

[somethingsketchy]

It is actually better if you applied a fresh layer of thermal paste before you install the Heatsink onto the CPU. Generally the paste applied onto heatsinks before they are sealed for sale/distribution is crap. You can use it for emergencies or if you don't have anything better, but I wouldn't recommend it for long term, overclocked CPUs. Just pick up a tube of aftermarket paste (if you have a preference) and just apply a new layer.

Plus it'll be good experience especially with that cooler. I used AS5 with the sig's heatsink and it worked amazingly. Have yet to hit 50 Celsius on full load after a month of use.
Just a thought.

EDIT: for grammar

 

[MathWiz579]

Is the thermal paste necessary if I don't plan to overclock? Can I just set my rig up as-is now and add thermal paste if I choose to overclock later? I'd like to get my rig running tonight and not wait another few days for NewEgg to ship thermal paste.

 

[Ausm]

I never use the thermal paste that comes with a heatsink. I prefer Artic Silver 5.

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: MathWiz579
Is the thermal paste necessary if I don't plan to overclock? Can I just set my rig up as-is now and add thermal paste if I choose to overclock later? I'd like to get my rig running tonight and not wait another few days for NewEgg to ship thermal paste.

There should be a small thing of paste in your Xigmatek box. Looks like a small white package , maybe an inch by half an inch.

 

[Billb2]

And you don't "add" thermal paste, you replace it.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: somethingsketchy
It is actually better if you applied a fresh layer of thermal paste before you install the Heatsink onto the CPU. Generally the paste applied onto heatsinks before they are sealed for sale/distribution is crap.

Not to argue, but I have used the stock HSF paste for years and never had an issue. I guess if you over clock the ASilver may have some placibo effects, but I have never seen to spits of difference between the various HS compounds. One or two degrees doesn't justify the cost difference for me. I have several systems that have been running the stock paste for >6 years and they run as cool as a pickle.

pcgeek11

 

[doubleflo7]

You don't need anything other than what comes in the Xigmatek box (i have the same heatsink), but it's a good idea to have some extra paste, just in case. The Dark Knight requires special attention because of the grooves on the contact plate. If you don't prefill them, you run the risk of creating air pockets, which is a bad thing. I speak from experience.

 

[DSF]

To directly answer your question, yes. Thermal interface material of one kind or another is always used between the CPU and the heatsink.

On stock retail heatsinks this comes in the form of a pre-applied pad. Most aftermarket heatsinks instead provide a pouch or tube of thermal material that the user must apply manually. It's not hard. The idea is to create as thin a layer of material as possible - just enough to fill in minuscule air pockets.

 

[DoubleHelix747]

While on this topic, does the paste has to be still wet when you make the contact between the cooler and the CPU? When I assembled my build, I think I let it dry. Now I am wondering if that was not so smart thing to do. What is the best/accurate way of checking CPU temperature?

**********************************
Intel C2Q 9400
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
ZEROtherm ZEN FZ120 120mm CPU Cooler
CORSAIR 8GB 2 x (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit RAM
MSI N9600GT 512M OC GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD (OEM)
SAMSUNG Black SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe (OEM)
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W PSU
Antec 900 case
Logitec MX600 Wireless Mouse
Saitek Eclipse II Wired Keyboard
Windows 7 (Beta)
Ubuntu

 

[jackschmittusa]

Don't think you can really "air dry" thermal paste. Shouldn't make a difference.

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: MathWiz579
Parts for my new build are being delivered today. Didn't order thermal paste but I'm wondering if it's necessary or would be a good idea for my build:

- GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
- AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX
- XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
- SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
- G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B
- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
- LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30
- CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
- COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I'm not planning to overclock, at least to start out with. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

I hate to sound like a broken record in this forum, but that G. Skill RAM is not on the QVL for your MB.

Try replacing it with something from this LIST!

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN
I hate to sound like a broken record in this forum, but that G. Skill RAM is not on the QVL for your MB.

Try replacing it with something from this LIST!

G.Skill RAM will work fine. Most of the time the QVL doesn't matter, since it is the only memory they've 'tested' on their motherboard, which is on ly a pitiful few. Unnecessary to replace the RAM.

As for thermal paste, it is not really necessary since the stuff Xigmatec provides is fairly decent, unless you have an attachment to Arctic Silver 5 or another TIM, I think it'll be fine. Most TIM improvements is pretty minimal unless you're into extreme overclock, in which case, you should be going on water instead of air anyway

 

[CptCrunch]

Originally posted by: Ausm
I never use the thermal paste that comes with a heatsink. I prefer Artic Silver 5.

This

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch

Originally posted by: Ausm
I never use the thermal paste that comes with a heatsink. I prefer Artic Silver 5.

This

Most aftermarket heatsink TIM is usually pretty good. Which is more than I can say for stock heatsink and paste...

 

[MathWiz579]

Thanks for the replies on this. I ended up using the thermal paste that came with the Dark Knight and the computer is up and running. Haven't checked temps yet.

Also, the G.Skill ram was suggested on another forum (tomshardware) for my combo. Was thinking about going with a cheaper Corsair ram, but decided to spend the extra few bucks and get the G.Skill in case I want to overclock at some point (although I'm doubting it because stability is key for this particular computer).

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: pcgeek11

Originally posted by: somethingsketchy
It is actually better if you applied a fresh layer of thermal paste before you install the Heatsink onto the CPU. Generally the paste applied onto heatsinks before they are sealed for sale/distribution is crap.

Not to argue, but I have used the stock HSF paste for years and never had an issue. I guess if you over clock the ASilver may have some placibo effects, but I have never seen to spits of difference between the various HS compounds. One or two degrees doesn't justify the cost difference for me. I have several systems that have been running the stock paste for >6 years and they run as cool as a pickle.

pcgeek11

Super Thermal Paste Test: 36 brands tested!
33-Way TIM Comparison

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: somethingsketchy
It is actually better if you applied a fresh layer of thermal paste before you install the Heatsink onto the CPU. Generally the paste applied onto heatsinks before they are sealed for sale/distribution is crap. You can use it for emergencies or if you don't have anything better, but I wouldn't recommend it for long term, overclocked CPUs. Just pick up a tube of aftermarket paste (if you have a preference) and just apply a new layer.

Plus it'll be good experience especially with that cooler. I used AS5 with the sig's heatsink and it worked amazingly. Have yet to hit 50 Celsius on full load after a month of use.
Just a thought.

EDIT: for grammar

bs


its good enough.

http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm
thermal compound comparison

there was a time when it mattered, when chips were getting hotter, esp with amds without heat spreaders. now? intel and amd cores have advanced power saving and reduced consumption, and its not like p4's frying eggs anymore. unless you are going to overclock to extremes the paste really doesn't matter that much as long as its there.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: pcgeek11

Originally posted by: somethingsketchy
It is actually better if you applied a fresh layer of thermal paste before you install the Heatsink onto the CPU. Generally the paste applied onto heatsinks before they are sealed for sale/distribution is crap.

Not to argue, but I have used the stock HSF paste for years and never had an issue. I guess if you over clock the ASilver may have some placibo effects, but I have never seen to spits of difference between the various HS compounds. One or two degrees doesn't justify the cost difference for me. I have several systems that have been running the stock paste for >6 years and they run as cool as a pickle.

pcgeek11

Super Thermal Paste Test: 36 brands tested!
33-Way TIM Comparison

As mentioned above: " http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm thermal compound comparison ". You can fine a "Test Result" or opinion to meet anything or point you would like to make. A degree or two doesn't justify the price IMO. Unless you are OCing to the extreme.

pcgeek11

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: somethingsketchy
It is actually better if you applied a fresh layer of thermal paste before you install the Heatsink onto the CPU. Generally the paste applied onto heatsinks before they are sealed for sale/distribution is crap. You can use it for emergencies or if you don't have anything better, but I wouldn't recommend it for long term, overclocked CPUs. Just pick up a tube of aftermarket paste (if you have a preference) and just apply a new layer.

Plus it'll be good experience especially with that cooler. I used AS5 with the sig's heatsink and it worked amazingly. Have yet to hit 50 Celsius on full load after a month of use.
Just a thought.

EDIT: for grammar

bs


its good enough.

http://www.dansdata.com/goop.htm
thermal compound comparison

there was a time when it mattered, when chips were getting hotter, esp with amds without heat spreaders. now? intel and amd cores have advanced power saving and reduced consumption, and its not like p4's frying eggs anymore. unless you are going to overclock to extremes the paste really doesn't matter that much as long as its there.

Eh, 65nm/45nm C2Qs can get up there. 70C when my X3360 is balls to the wall at 3.6 GHz, with a Xigmatek HDT-S1283. I like having the AS5 on there, even if it is only giving me a few degrees lower temps since Intel says "worry at 71C" for Penryns.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
Eh, 65nm/45nm C2Qs can get up there. 70C when my X3360 is balls to the wall at 3.6 GHz, with a Xigmatek HDT-S1283. I like having the AS5 on there, even if it is only giving me a few degrees lower temps since Intel says "worry at 71C" for Penryns.

If another 1-2ºC is the breaking point for your overclock, then perhaps you are aiming too high?

I used to be hardcore Arctic-Silver-with-a-razer type. These days I just use whatever is handy that isn't too messy.

The trick is to apply the right amount and to apply it properly. About two weeks ago I "fixed" a computer for someone, a local gamer that I know, who just upgraded his system. "I bought a one-use tube of Arctic Silver 5." :Q Yeah, there was AS5 all over the CPU, heatsink, socket area.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: doubleflo7
You don't need anything other than what comes in the Xigmatek box (i have the same heatsink), but it's a good idea to have some extra paste, just in case. The Dark Knight requires special attention because of the grooves on the contact plate. If you don't prefill them, you run the risk of creating air pockets, which is a bad thing. I speak from experience.

If you use the blob and squish method, you shouldn't ever run into air pockets, especially with the direct heat pipe contact bases.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: doubleflo7
You don't need anything other than what comes in the Xigmatek box (i have the same heatsink), but it's a good idea to have some extra paste, just in case. The Dark Knight requires special attention because of the grooves on the contact plate. If you don't prefill them, you run the risk of creating air pockets, which is a bad thing. I speak from experience.

If you use the blob and squish method, you shouldn't ever run into air pockets, especially with the direct heat pipe contact bases.

Like some people solder:

" The bigger the blob the better the job " :frown:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: somethingsketchy
It is actually better if you applied a fresh layer of thermal paste before you install the Heatsink onto the CPU. Generally the paste applied onto heatsinks before they are sealed for sale/distribution is crap. You can use it for emergencies or if you don't have anything better, but I wouldn't recommend it for long term, overclocked CPUs. Just pick up a tube of aftermarket paste (if you have a preference) and just apply a new layer.

Plus it'll be good experience especially with that cooler. I used AS5 with the sig's heatsink and it worked amazingly. Have yet to hit 50 Celsius on full load after a month of use.
Just a thought.

EDIT: for grammar

I'm using the stock cooler on my Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz with the included thermal pad and my CPU temps according to the bios are 97 degrees. It is very quiet too which I much prefer to the giant fans on my last rig.