Do you need thermal grease/paste?

[MrCodeDude]

I didn't have any on hand when I installed my last HSF on my 3rd computer. It hasn't been used for a few days, but I had it on for ~12 hours and it still ran smoothly. So that brings up the question, should I apply AS3?
-- mrcodedude

 

[Matt2]

SHould you? Yes. Do ou absolutely poitively have to? Probably not.

 

[charlie21]

If the heatsink had a thermal pad already on it, then there's no need. I wouldn't feel comfortable with at least some sort of thermal transfer material between the core and heatsink.

 

[Corporate Thug]

if overclocking, you'll get your best results with thermal paste. if not overclocking, the pad is sufficent

 

[stranger707]

Lowest operating temperature = longest CPU life

I would take it apart and put some Arctic Silver or other good paste in there.