Included HSF

[User1001]

How good is the HSF included with the retail Intel Processor?

 

[Cerb]

Good. Better than those w/ the Athlons, and quieter (also it's pretty huge). I like AMD, but the heatsinks that they come with just don't cut it (not for noise anyway).

 

[User1001]

One more question: I know how to build a PC, but I've never actually installed the HSF with a thermal compound. Is there any guide on how to do this effectively

 

[Cerb]

With the retail P4, no worries. There *may* be some plastic on the bottom of the HSF to remove, but if so, it will be painfully obvious (see link for how obvious it tends to be). If not, just install the CPU (make sure it's all the way in--the P4 socket is small and will close, but make a crinkling sound, if the CPU is not in all the way), hook the HSF to the 4 holes in the bracket, and flip the levers. Should have very clear instructions, too, though.
Kinda like this one:
http://www.directron.com/pkp110.html

 

[cwalker2000]

Check out the Arctic Silver website. It has complete instructions for applying thermal compounds.