Newbie HSF question

[TheGrandHooHa]

OK, when installing the thermal paste and the heatsink itself, you only have to make sure that it touches that center, slightly raised rectangle on the processor right? Not the entire unit, just the thing in the center. Am I correct?

 

[Viper GTS]

The raised rectangle is the core, the only portion of the processor the HS base should be touching. That's where all the heat is dissipated from.

Viper GTS

 

[vampiro]

You are correct. Just spread a thin layer of thermal paste over the CPU core, and then set the HSF in place.

NOTE: If you are using Actic Silver 2, then you might want to cansider brazing the HSF as well. For info on how to do this go here.