Do I need thermal paste?

[imported_Stew]

My heatsink has a square of gray material on the bottom where the CPU comes in contact with it. Do I still need to get thermal paste? It's the HS/F that came with my Athlon 64 3000+

Thanks,
Stew

 

[slpaulson]

That grey stuff is thermal interface material, so you'll be fine.

Just make sure you remove the protective sticker off of it if there is one.

 

[goobernoodles]

That grey material is a thermal pad. Works in the same way as thermal paste.

However, many thermal pastes will work better than thermal pads.

 

[IEC]

I'd recommend removing the stock stuff and adding any after-market non-metal thermal paste. Arctic Silver Ceramique and Arctic Cooling MX-1 are good stuff. I like MX-1 because it doesn't dry out.

 

[ColemontHD]

Thermal paste is mainly used in OC'ing a CPU. The stock paste will work just fine.

 

[Seekermeister]

Whether you are overclocking or not, the paste will run cooler, and cooler means that the CPU will last long...paste it.