Does the retail athlon64 need thermal paste?

[ravalox]

Hey, I just got a new athlon64 processor, it came in the retail box with the fan and everything. I wonder though, do I need to find the thermal paste for the athlon64 as I did wih the athlonXP? There appears to be a thermal adhesive tape underneath the fan, but I don't know if I need the paste or not.

 

[Hacp]

no if your using the thermal "pad" on the retail HS/Fan.

 

[Rottie]

yes your fan already have thermal pad on it.

 

[Leper Messiah]

No, you do not need thermal paste with the A64s. They actually use Shin Etsu, some of the better "pad" type thermal compounds on the market.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

some dont like the thermal pad, I removed it and used AS ceramique.