Do I need thermal paste?

[Defenestrator]

I was thinking about getting a new Zalman CNPS3100-Plus Copper HSF from newegg, and was wondering if I need any thermal paste to go along with it?

 

[PliotronX]

Word of caution: always have a TIM present between the chip and heatsink. Even if it's a stock thermal pad, it's better than naked silicon-to-metal with microscopic valleys in both surfaces abound.

With that aside, I think heatsinks usually come with at least the white silicone-based goop these days, especially with Zalman's. This will be sufficient, but this stuff tends to dry out and not work too well afterwards which might not be a big deal if you upgrade with regularity. But for the long-term, I would look into some Arctic Silver Ceramique or Arctic Silver 5.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Defenestrator
I was thinking about getting a new Zalman CNPS3100-Plus Copper HSF from newegg, and was wondering if I need any thermal paste to go along with it?

You're planning on spending that much money on a heatsink, but don't want to spend $2-$5 for some thermal paste?

 

[lenjack]

You only need it if you want your processor to live.