Do i need to use thermal paste?

[Holyhandgren]

I bought a retail athlon 64 3000+, says it comes with a thermal pad. Will using thermal paste make a big difference?

 

[TheBDB]

Are you going to OC? If not don't worry about it.

 

[Holyhandgren]

Not right off but eventually i will. Advise putting it on now?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Holyhandgren
Not right off but eventually i will. Advise putting it on now?

stay with the retail stuff ..when/if you remove cpu/hsf ..then you will definitely need to go thermal compound..gl

 

[CraigRT]

I'd just keep the pad on there... as stated above, if you pull it off later on, use some Arctic silver or some brand of thermal paste at that point (clean off the excess of the thermal pad first)

 

[newb54]

It won't really make a difference. If want to get thermal paste Arctic silver 3 is 5 dollars shipped and Arctic 5 is 6 shipped at svc, you may get a degree or 2 out of it.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Stick with the retail thermal pad. Although it is recommended for one-time use only. So next time you do make a change then any thermal paste (ceramics or silicone-based) will be needed.

 

[MDE]

As stated before, stick with the pad for now. They're actually using really good pads on the retail A64 heatsinks (Shin-Etsu pads).

 

[Holyhandgren]

Thanks guys.