DOES RETAIL CPU NEED THERMAL GREASE FOR INSTALLING?

[leousb]

Hello, Simple question pls,

Got a RETAIL Athlon64 3500+, and need to know if thermal grease is neccesary for installation, cause it seems that it already has a thermal "compund" applied.

Please people with serious knowledge answer me, can't wait to get my rig up and going


Thx a lot

 

[LTC8K6]

The stock TIM pad is fine for normal use. The pad should not be reused, though. If you remove and replace the heatsink more than a couple times, you should replace the pad with thermal compound such as Arctic Silver.

If your intention is to go for a good overclock, you should replace the pad with Arctic Silver.

You do need to clean the TIM pad material off before you use a thermal compound.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
The stock TIM pad is fine for normal use. The pad should not be reused, though. If you remove and replace the heatsink more than a couple times, you should replace the pad with thermal compound such as Arctic Silver.

If your intention is to go for a good overclock, you should replace the pad with Arctic Silver.

You do need to clean the TIM pad material off before you use a thermal compound.

what he said, and if you decide to remove the TIM pad, look up heatsink lapping instructions

 

[Fern]

You've purchased a "retail" cpu. You might void your warranty if you remove the wax pad supplied.

Notwithstanding the above, I hate the thermal pads and remove them b4 they become a melted mess. Easier to clean off b4 melting, but no real biggie anyway.

Fern

 

[jparnell]

I have the retail 3400 64 and used the supplied thermal pad...temperatures normally around 30C so i guess thats good