Do I really need Thermal Grease?

[KingofFah]

If I used an XP1900+ with the CoolerMaster HCC-002 HSF, do any of you think I should use a thermal paste? How much does it really affect temperatures? I would be using two 1900's on the Tyan Tiger board and would only be OC'ing them to 139 FSB (141 is the highest you can hit in MPX chipsets so far).

 

[L00PY]

You need some kind of TIM between the heatsink and die. If not thermal paste, then at the very least a thermal pad. You'll fry your chip otherwise.

 

[txgixer]

Originally posted by: L00PY
You need some kind of TIM between the heatsink and die. If not thermal paste, then at the very least a thermal pad. You'll fry your chip otherwise.

Ditto

You will need ~something~ besides air . . . .

 

[Lucky]

You spent probably $500+ dollars on the setup, dont be a cheapass when it comes to $5 worth of artic silver.

 

[Gaunt]

Good paste will make quite a bit of difference. If there's already a thermal pad on the bottom of the heatsink you buy, you can use it, but it's not nearly as good. If you're going to use thermal paste, remember to remove the thermal pad from the heatsink... carefully, as not to mark the bottom of the heatsink.